Gotta dance, gotta sing

By Jeff Shultz
Managing Editor

May 05, 2008 09:30 am

— There is a line from the movie Broadway Melody of 1929 where Uncle Jed says, “It’s better to star in Oshkosh than to starve on Broadway.”
The movie follows the struggles of a vaudeville sister act who have come to New York for their big break on Broadway.
Of course Uncle Jed’s phrase wasn’t necessarily a public relations gimmick for Oshkosh, Wisconsin, but rather a statement of fact about the grandeur of performing in a smaller theatrical venue.
And that’s exactly what the Pauls Valley Arts Council wants to achieve by taking the organization’s fall theatrical efforts one step further by producing its first musical play.
“A musical is a very special art form as it combines acting, singing with accompaniment and dance to convey the story line,” said local director Tim Smith.
The first step the PVAC must make in determining what musical will be staged in the fall is to meet with all individuals interested in such a production.
The PVAC will take that first step this Thursday night at the Toy and Action Figure Museum.
“We’re wanting anyone who is interested in performing and helping produce a musical to come to the Toy and Action Figure Museum at 5:30 that night,” said PVAC President Lanny Stanley.
Stanley noted that since the PVAC’s formation four years ago, many in the community have expressed a desire to see a musical performed live on stage.
“We’ve proven we can bring quality live theatre to Pauls Valley with such productions as Don’t Drink The Water, Story Theatre and Steel Magnolias,” Stanley said.
“We feel we’re ready now to take that next step in producing a musical for this coming fall.”
Smith added that, “musicals seem to lend themselves to bringing in larger audiences. I was pleased to see so many in attendance at the recent Valley Idol Showcase.
“We do love our music and seem to have a real affinity for those who can create believable characters through song, dance and story.”
Singers, actors, actresses, dancers and musicians from the Pauls Valley region are encouraged to attend Thursday night’s meeting so the PVAC can evaluate what talent is available to them.
Smith said the first order of business is to form an ensemble of musicians who will perform the music for the show.
“Along with the actors, we will require a musical instrument ensemble, with the key elements of that group being someone who will serve as the pianist and someone who will serve as the drummer for both rehearsals and subsequent performances,” he said.
Taped music will only be used during the initial rehearsals for staging the scenes and dancing, Smith said.
“The ensemble is considered part of the cast and crew and will be involved intimately (with the production) from the very beginning. This ensemble group will probably include stringed instruments and horns, or those found in most bands or small orchestras,” he added.
The first musical production for the PVAC will most likely be a small one, Smith said.
“Some of the shows that are included in that category would be Little Mary Sunshine, The Fantasticks, Dames at Sea and You're A Good Man Charley Brown,” Smith said.
“However, musicals with traditionally larger casts can be reduced for ease of presentation and that listing would include musical classics like Lil' Abner, The Robber Bridegroom and The Pajama Game.”
Producing a musical, though, requires more preparation and commitment from everyone involved in the show than the normal two-act play.
Once a decision is made on what musical the PVAC will produce, the production will begin almost immediately as rehearsals for a musical take longer than a normal play.
For example, Smith noted, with a regular play, such as Steel Magnolias, the cast and crew will begin rehearsals in mid-September for a November opening night.
“With a musical, we will probably begin in mid-August with music and dance work before we get into the actual staging of the production.
“Musicals have greater technical demands, especially with sets, costumes and the music accompaniment. The extra time is required to begin developing those areas.”
Stanley said Thursday night’s meeting is not an open audition, but merely a chance for the PVAC to “test the water” for a possible musical production this fall.
“We want to make sure we have all the components for a musical before we start this endeavor,” he said.
Stanley said if there is enough interest in a musical production, then a choice will be made on what musical the PVAC will produce and open auditions will be held shortly thereafter.