Michaia Hernandez / Roundup
Performances of the long-running, off-Broadway sensation “Musical of Musicals (The Musical!),” Pierce College Theatre Department’s second production this semester, will run from Friday, April 29, through Sunday, May 8, in the Dow Arena Theatre.
Musicals productions are usually shown sometime during the summer intercession, but conflict with ongoing construction forced the Theatre Department to reschedule this year’s a semester early.
“They’re actually closing down the Performing Arts building this June,” said Theatre Manager Michael Sande. “It’s going to be closed down for a year [due to construction].”
It’s also unusual for a musical production to be performed in the Dow Arena Theatre, but “Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)” Director Gene Putnam doesn’t mind.
“We have a small cast comprised of only six people,” he said. “It just all works out really well for this.”
The musical, which was created by Joanne Bogart and Eric Rockwell, is essentially a 90-minute parody of musicals. It puts a spin on the classic plot of “I can’t pay the rent!” through recounting it in five different ways, each reflecting and mocking five different musical styles.
The five acts that the musical is divided into satirize the musical techniques of five of theatre’s most respected composers: Rodgers & Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Kander & Ebb.
Rodgers & Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman, Andrew Lloyd Webbe
Rodgers & Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Kander & Ebb
“People who are familiar with musicals will identify,” said Putnam. “But even if you don’t know musicals, you’ll have a lot of fun.”
The original cast called for only four cast members, but Putnam wanted to maximize the number of people that will be involved in the show.
“I’m just using a bit more [cast members] to give other people a chance,” he said.
The musical is in the early stages of production. The cast members have already gone through two weeks of intensive vocal and choreography rehearsals, and are now working on staging and blocking.
Putnam said that the casting process for this particular musical took longer than usual.
“There are no small parts here,” he said. “And everybody has multiple roles in the play.”
Putnam said that he saw a performance of the show in the Laguna Playhouse somewhere around four to five years ago.
“I just liked it,” said Putnam. “It spoke to me.”
It isn’t just Putnam who is impassioned by the musical.
“I like the challenge of having to play five different characters in one show,” said 56-year-old Michael Chandler, one of the show’s cast members.
Putnam, who plans on retiring this June, lists this production as the last musical he will be doing as a full-time instructor at Pierce College.
Michele Selin is the musical’s assistant director and accompanist, with Cynthia Stults as the vocal director, Kelly Inauzzu (or is it Inanzzu?) as the choreographer, and Thomas Cunningham as the stage manager.
In addition to Michael Chandler, the cast includes Evan Boelson, Lyndsay Brooks, Kelsey Lansdowne, Carolyn Schultz, Cynthia Stults, and Donovan Weir.
Tickets are priced at $12 for both students and seniors, and $15 for general admission. They may be purchased by calling (818) 719-6488.
Link:
http://info.piercecollege.edu/theater/
As the cast from The Musical of Musicals The Musical gets the vocal down for their show that opens April 29, playing at Dow Area Theatre. (From Left to Right) Michael Chandler, Kelsey Lansdowne, Donovan Weir, Cynthia Stults and Carolyn Schultz look over music sheets as pianist Michele Selin plays the music. (Cesar Monge 2011)
As the cast from The Musical of Musicals The Musical gets the vocal down for their show that opens April 29, playing at Dow Area Theatre. (From Left to Right) Michael Chandler, Kelsey Lansdowne, Donovan Weir, Cynthia Stults and Carolyn Schultz look over music sheets as pianist Michele Selin plays the music. (Cesar Monge 2011)