"How to Succeed..." Interview #3

   We've heard from two of the guys in the cast of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, so for our third interview let's hear from one of the gals. (Since the play is set in the '60s, I can use the word "gals," right?)

   Jocelyn Knapp plays the part of the Executive Secretary at the wackiest company around.

   Here are her comments: 

Q: What is the play How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying about?

Jocelyn: J. Pierpont Finch, starts out as a window washer, finds a book, which directs him up the ladder of success within the large company, World Wide Wickets. A variety of characters are influenced by Finch and his book throughout this show. A detailed, musically centered score tells the story of Finch’s success, his love for Rosemary and his quest to succeed in business, without really trying. 

Q: Tell us about the character you play. 

Jocelyn: Pilkington. Rosemary Pilkington. Executive Secretary. J. Piermont Finch’s main love interest. Picture 1960s Barbie meets musical theater… Rosemary falls in love at first sight, and will do anything to support her main squeeze through thick and thin. 

Q: What’s your favorite song in the show? 

Jocelyn: "Paris Original" is a very cute song - doesn’t hurt it starts as one of my solos either! Great choreography and costuming make this number VERY fun for us girls! 

Q: Why did you want to be part of this show? 

Jocelyn: There hasn’t been a better time to be at ARTS, right? I have the upmost respect for director Bil Neal, adore choreographer Coni Anthony and have enjoyed getting to know music director Lara Donahoe. I am a musical theater junkie – this show – because of the directing staff - was a no brainer. 

Q: What’s your background in theatre? 

Jocelyn: I starred in my first role when I was a junior in high school at Cabell Midland – and have had the theater bug ever since. Over the last 10 years I have done mostly musicals. Like most that start in theatre early, I took some time off in my late 20s to earn a bachelors degree from Marshall, get married and start my little family. My last show was in 2010, with ARTS Will Rogers Follies, I played The Favorite. I knew after that experience I wanted to do theater again, and I wanted to do theater at ARTS! 

Q: Why would you recommend this show to our readers? 

Jocelyn: This show is BIGGER, LOUDER, FASTER and FUNNIER. It is the summer musical sensation that offers fantastic choreography, humor, a sweeter than sugar love story, beautiful costumes and a set where – everything moves. Most important, everyone in this cast has worked their tails off to bring the most exciting and entertaining musical yet! 

Q: Tell us the dates, times and place for the show.

Renaissance Arts Center (old Huntington High School) 

May 24, 25 at 8 p.m. and 26 at 2 p.m.

May 31, June 1 at 8 p.m. and June 2 at 2 p.m.

  There hasn’t been a better time to be at ARTS, won’t you join us?

   Thanks, Jocelyn!

On Stage This Weekend - "How to Succeed..." and "Race"

    You have two excellent shows to choose from this weekend - one is a beloved musical, and the other a hard-hitting drama:

- How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying - ARTS will present the beloved musical comedy about a young man's attempts to climb the corporate ladder in the '60s. It will be presented at the Renaissance Theatre at 900 8th Street in Huntington on May 24, 25, 31, June 1 at 8 p.m. and May 26 and June 2 at 2 p.m.

- Race  - The Charleston Stage Company presents a drama by award-winning playwright David Mamet. It tackles America's most controversial topic in a provocative tale of sex, guilt and bold accusations. Two male lawyers (one white and one black) are called to defend a wealthy white client charged with the rape of a black woman, while their African-American female associate betrays an agenda of her own. It will be presented May 23-25 and May 30-June 1 at 7:30 p.m. at WVSU Capitol Center Theatre, 123 Summers Street in Charleston.

   So get out there and support your community theatre group!

"How to Succeed..." Interview #2

   For our second in our series of interviews with the stars of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (which has its first performance on Friday at the Renaissance Theatre in Huntington), let's turn the imaginary microphone over to Jason Kretzer (that's him on the right in a photo by Stephen Vance).

   He plays the part of three characters in the show: he's  Peterson, an Executive at World Wide Wickets; Ovington, the new Director of Advertising; and a Company Policeman.

    Here are his comments about the show:

Q: Tell us the basics about How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

Jason: It is a story about a young intelligent man who buys a book that teaches him how manipulate his way to the top of the World Wide Wickets company. Along the way, he meets a girl, meets a temptress, and makes an enemy or two. Just think Mad Men but funny and with singing and dancing.

Q: What's your favorite song in the show?

Jason: "Company Way"

Q: Why did you want to be part of this show?

Jason: For a number of reasons, I watched the movie and absolutely thought it would be one of the most fun shows in the world to do. Also, wanted to work with director Bil Neal again. I enjoyed my time with Crimes of the Heart and this is a bit of change of pace and lets me work to some of my strengths.

Q: What's your background in theatre?

Jason: I have no formal training, just a really good couple of mentors and the ability to do voices, accents and physical comedy. Also, up until recently, I was board president for Appalachian Community Theatres and was awarded the YPEK Young Professional of the Year in Arts for 2012.  I have been performing for four years or so.

Q: Why would you recommend this show to our readers?

Jason: I would definitely recommend this show. There are a few expletives and innuendo but no more than on TV in the evening  It is a very fun show and full of bright vibrant color!

Q: Tell us the dates, times and place for the show.

Jason:  May 24, 25, 31, June 1 at 8 p.m. and May 26, June 2 at 2 p.m.

   Thanks, Jason!

"How to Succeed..." Interview #1

Starting this Friday is the delightful musical comedy How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying , which takes the stage at the Renaissance Theatre in Huntington.

   It's the third show of the year for ARTS, and it's a great, classic musical with great numbers and lots of laughs. To let you know more about the show and the cast, we'll be running a series of email interviews (collect 'em all!) - and let's kick it off with some comments from Stephen Vance, who plays the part of Bud Frump - the boss' nephew and someone who's also plotting to get ahead at any cost. 

   That's his photo, and here's what he had to say:

Q: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is a hit Broadway musical and movie - but in case our reader isn't familiar with it, tell us the basic story.

Stephen: The show is based on a book of the same name. The book was a parody of post-World War II business. Written as a comedic "How to Guide," the book focuses on the adventures of a young Mr. Finch trying to climb his way up the corporate ladder. This Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning show takes the characters from the book and hilariously creates a story based on these ideas. Clay McKnight is a wonderful performer to hang a show on. You will love him immediately.

Q: What's your favorite song in the show?

Stephen: My favorite song in the show changes nearly every day. This is a Frank Loesser score, and for me, it's right up there with his other great score for Guys and Dolls. After hearing the wonderful orchestra Sunday night that Lara Donahoe and Rebecca Harrison have assembled, the decision is even tougher. Today, I'm going to go with "Been a Long Day." The lyrics are clever, the music is catchy, and Amy Carlson is perfect as Smitty. It's the one that gets stuck in my head.

Q: Why did you want to be part of this show?

Stephen: This show is hilarious. It has great music. It is fun. This isn't Shakespeare but it's a good script. From the first time I saw it, I wanted to play Frump. To be a bad guy, and a funny bad guy at that, is a blast.

Q: What's your background in theatre?

Stephen: I've done a lot of community theatre in the last few years, both backstage and on stage. I started at HOT eight years ago with big musical comedies, and I am excited to be doing another here at ARTS. Most of the shows I've been a part of ARTS in the last couple of years have either been plays or pretty serious stuff. Although I really enjoy those plays, there is nothing quite as exciting as a big fluffy musical.

Q: Why would you recommend this show to our readers?

Stephen: Have I mentioned that this show is hilarious? Director Bil Neal has put together a fantastic cast. His passion for this project has inspired us all. Choreographer Coni Anthony has done a wonderful job keeping us moving from start to finish. I've already mentioned the music, and I could go on about the individual performers for paragraphs. Every night I see something new that makes me happy (and I've been here nearly every night for the past seven weeks). This isn't a show about a couple of good leads and an ensemble you don't notice. This entire cast is solid from top to bottom. This is what musical theatre is all about. There is an energy here that is different than most shows you will get a chance to see in a long time.

Q: Tell us the dates, times and place for the show.

Stephen: The show runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, May 24, 25, 26, 31, June 1, 2. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Thanks, Stephen!

The Return of "Friday Night Live!"

   An old theatre tradition is being revived at Capital High School.

   Kristopher G. Corbett, Capital High Scholl Theatre Director is bringing back Friday Night Live!

   In an effort to broaden his students' theatre education, young professional artists and theatre alumi were brought in to collaborate with current theatre students to create Friday Night Live 2013!

   This show is entirely written, directed and produced by current students and young professional artists and staged in only two weeks!

   It's a challenging process and gives the students fundamental experience in the production of a piece of theatre.

   It will prepare them to become young artists. The Appalachian Artists Collective is partnering with Capital Theatre to create Friday Night Live 2013!

   The public is invited to attend and support the work of these valuable artists, both student and professional.

On Stage This Weekend: "Evita" and a Murder Mystery

   You have three shows to choose from this weekend - a rock opera, a musical and a murder mystery:

- Evita - The Charleston Light Opera Guild presents the hit rock opera 
with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. It will be 
presented at the Charleston Civic Center Little Theatre  May 17 and 18

at 7:30 p.m.

- Trial by Murder - Murder and Merriment present the murder mystery May 17-18 at the Greenhouse of Teays Valley in Hurricane. Tickets are $40 and reservations can be made by calling 304-397-6316.

- Almost, Maine - The Clay Local Panther Players open their first ever season with a production of Almost Maine, featuring two West Portsmouth students, two Portsmouth students, five Clay students and two Clay staff members. The last showing will be May 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the school in Portsmouth, Ohio. General Admission is $5.

   So get out there and support your local theatre!

“Evita” - A Review

   After a lifetime of enjoying Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s work, it’s surprising that I’ve never seen Evita until now.

   The good news is, the Charleston Light Opera Guild, as always, does a terrific job with the production, which wraps up this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Charleston Civic Center Little Theatre.

  The musical tells the story of Eva Peron, and her rise from obscurity to her life as the wife of the president of Argentina and a figure beloved by the people of that country.

   You should know up front that this isn’t a “feel good,” “happy-go-lucky” musical. It’s much more dramatic and serious - in fact, it begins and ends with a funeral (though certainly there are fun, entertaining numbers along the way).

   It’s a rock opera, so there’s virtually no dialogue - but lots of great music to enjoy.   

   

    The role of Eva Peron is played with wonderful presence and skill by Emily Capece. She has a powerful voice and gets to show it off to great effect with songs like the showstopper, “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina.” The role is very challenging - Eva isn’t always a sympathetic character - but Capece creates a character who wins over the audience and shows why the citizens loved her so much.  

   Walking away with every scene he’s in is the narrator of the show, played with great gusto by Ryan Hardiman. Strangely enough, the narrator is Che Guevara, an Argentine Marxist revolutionary and guerrilla leader. Sometimes he supports Eva, and sometimes he opposes her - but he always does so with a powerful,  commanding voice.

    Juan Peron, who becomes the president of Argentina thanks to the assistance and guidance of Eva, is played masterfully by Bill Rainey. A seasoned pro, Rainey has a powerful voice and creates a vivid picture of a man who uses and is used - but like the people of Argentina, he falls in love despite himself.

   The supporting cast also does terrific work here, whether singing, dancing (the choreography is excellent) or staging (the upper class depiction is hilarious).

   The Light Opera Guild has a reputation for staging outstanding, professional-quality shows, and this is another one to add to the list. 

   Kudos to the directing team for crafting a top-notch production. With an outstanding set, terrific orchestra and a talented cast, Evita is an excellent show and highly recommended!

More "Hairspray" Auditions

   If you missed the HOT auditions for this summer's production of Hairspray, take heart - you have another chance this Wednesday.

   Auditions will be held at the Trinity Episcopal Church at 520 11th Street in Huntington on Wednesday, May 15 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Callbacks will be Saturday, May 18 at 10am.

   The show will take place every weekend in July at Huntington's Ritter Park Amphitheater.

   Those auditioning should prepare a 30-second musical selection to sing. A pianist will be available or you may use a backup instrumental CD.

   Call 304-412-3393 with any questions.