Just one more day until the musical A Catered Affair takes the stage again in Huntington, as ARTS presents a special Thursday performance!
We’ve been sharing interviews with cast members, and next up in my pal, the amazingly talented and beautiful Amy Browning.
Q. Tell us about the musical A Catered Affair.
Amy: I was unfamiliar with the musical before starting on this project. It is based on a 1956 movie of the same name with actors such as Bette Davis, Debbie Reynolds, and Ernest Borgnine. This family is struggling with the loss of their grown son and the realization that the only child left (a daughter) is getting ready to get married and leave home. The daughter wants a simple ceremony, but the mother struggles with regrets and insists on a grand catered affair instead. Everything is rushed and at some point everyone's feelings are hurt. As in life, things don't go the way they planned, and they find themselves trying to accept the idea that the life they do have is good enough.
Q. What roles do you play?
Amy: I am both Myra (a gossiping neighbor) and the Dress Saleswoman.
Q. What's your favorite song and/or scene in the show?
Amy: My favorite scene has to be the dinner scene because it is fast, fun, honest, and passionate. But my favorite song is "Our Only Daughter,” specifically the line "and the only bit of joy we ever brought her.” The music itself is haunting. The character is desperately trying to hold on to a dream of what life should have been, but she acknowledges their reality is not what they are living. She doesn't want her legacy to be one of disappointment.
Q. What's been the most challenging aspect about the show?
Amy: This can be an emotional show for the actors and the audience. To portray a character you have to connect with him/her emotionally. In this show our characters struggle with expectations of what their life is supposed to be, of being accepted, and a desire to be "enough" that you're worthy of someone else's love. Those are the same struggles most of us face at some time or another.
Q. What makes this show fun for you?
Amy: The fun is in the ensemble. We have varied backgrounds. Some of us spend a lot of time near a stage and others are new to the group. But the conversations we've had as the characters have developed have been both thought provoking and entertaining.
Q. Why would you recommend this show to our readers?
Amy: Because it's a new old story. This play hasn't been done in our community so the music and the story is new and interesting. But the characters are familiar. They will remind you of a relative or neighbor you grew up with. You may even find some of yourself in the dress shop or around the dinner table.
Q: Thanks, Amy!
A Catered Affair - ARTS presents the musical on Aug. 17, 18 and 19 at the Renaissance Theatre Ballroom at 900 8th Street in Huntington. General Admission is $15 show only and $30 for dinner and show. You must reserve reservations for dinner by calling 304-733-2787. The dinner menu for this show is: fresh kale lemon salad, baked steak with mushroom gravy, rice pilaf, apricot glazed carrots, and three tier wedding cake for dessert.
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