Ode to musical legends; Summerset presents five-act comedy ‘Musical of Musicals (The Musical)’
Published 8:57 am Wednesday, June 13, 2018
- The Summerset Theatre will open up its 51st season with “Musical of Musicals (The Musical),” presented at Frank W. Bridges Theatre. Photos by Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Summerset Theatre Season 51 kicks off tonight with the production of “Musical of Musicals (The Musical).”
Written by Joanne Bogart and Eric Rockwell, “Musical of Musicals (The Musical)” pays homage to five legendary musical theatre composers.
“There are five acts with the same melodrama plot of ‘I can’t pay the rent,’” said Carrie Braaten, who is making her directorial debut.
Braaten said she has performed in about 25 shows with Summerset Theatre and was the assistant director of last season’s production of “Peter and the Starcatcher.” She is a current member of the Summerset Theatre Board.
Katie Hawley and Alex Knoll in a scene from the Summerset Theatre production of “Musical of Musicals (The Musical),” which will be performed at Frank W. Bridges Theatre.
“I wanted to direct a musical,” she said of her choice to direct the show. “They’re what I know; what I’m most familiar with. This one seemed to be the best material for me. I am so grateful for this opportunity. It has been a glowing fun experience and I am excited to do it again in the future.”
According to Braaten, the show parodies the musical styles of:
• Rodgers and Hammerstein (“South Pacific,” “The Sound of Music”)
• Stephen Sondheim (“Into the Woods,” “Sweeney Todd”)
• Jerry Herman (“Hello, Dolly!” “Mame”)
• Andrew Lloyd Webber (“Cats,” “The Phantom of the Opera”)
• Kander and Ebb (“Cabaret,” “Chicago”)
“Even if you don’t know a whole lot about musical theatre, it is written so the parody and joke is obvious to the audience,” Braaten said. “It’s wildly entertaining. It moves really fast and the talent you will see on the stage is astounding. It will blow you away.”
Performances for “Musical of Musicals (The Musical)” will be at 7 p.m. from June 13-16 and at 2 p.m. on June 17. All performances will be held at the Frank W. Bridges Theatre at Riverland Community College.
Tickets are $18 for general admission and $10 for students. Season passes are also available for $40 and includes admission to “Musical of Musicals (The Musical),” “Leaving Iowa,” and “Chicago.” Tickets can be purchased at www.summersettheatre.org or at the Riverland Theatre Box Office.
Lindsey Duoos Williams during a rehearsal for the Summerset Theatre’s production of “Musical of Musicals (The Musical).”
Summerset Season 51 is dedicated to the memory of the late Steven Kinney, who passed away Dec. 17, 2017.
“(Kinney) excelled as a director, designer/building, an actor, and worked all over the state with many crediting him as a mentor in their own theatrical careers,” said Summerset Theatre co-director Randy Forster. “We know he will be watching from above and cheering us on.”
“To all our donors, patrons, actors, artists, technicians, musicians and volunteers, who contributed to the success of this season we say thank you!” he added.
Forster also said the Season 52 shows will be announced tonight.
Cast
Katie Hawley………………….June/Jeune/Junie Faye/Junita/Juny
Lindsey Duoos Williams…………Mother Abby/Abby/Auntie Abby/Abigail Von Scharr/Fraulein Abby
Alex Knoll………….Big Willy/Billy/William/Bill/Villy
John Deyo …………Jidder/Jitter/Mr. Jitters/Phantom Jitter/Jutter
Crew
Carrie Braaten…………..Director
Jan Matson………Music Director
Madeline El-Baroudi……..Stage Manager
Andrew Roskos………..Assistant Stage Manager
Madlain Vander………..Costume Design
Jennifer Wiebrand………..Choreography
John Deyo………..Technical Director, Scenic and Lighting Design
