The Sound of Their Music
By Joey Berlin
Originally published 01:23 p.m., June 10, 2008
Updated 01:23 p.m., June 10, 2008
For those familiar with only the most famous work of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II — or for those few sheltered souls who don’t know any of their work — Emporia State University’s first Summer Theatre production of the season can serve as an education on one of America’s most famous songwriting teams.
“Some Enchanted Evening: The Songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein,” opening Wednesday night at Bruder Theatre in King Hall, is a dialogue-free musical production featuring five ESU theater and music students and a slew of Rodgers and Hammerstein numbers. The production has already been a musical education for cast members. Even with famous songs from megahit musicals like “Oklahoma!,” “The Sound of Music,” “Carousel” and “South Pacific,” director Theresa Mitchell and musical director Penny Speedie found that some of their young performers weren’t familiar with even some of the most well-known selections.
“It was amazing; some of the kids didn’t know some of the ones we thought, ‘Well everybody knows this, this is famous,’” Speedie said.
Conceptually, the production brings a different twist to Rodgers’ and Hammerstein’s music. The first segment is set backstage, with the five actors playing themselves and getting ready to go onstage. The cast includes Eric Luchen, 2008 graduate from Overland Park; Amanda Mayer, Hutchinson junior; Tricia Stogsdill, Pleasanton senior; Emily Warren, Wichita sophomore; and Chris Wilson, Mulvane sophomore.
“And those first six songs that we do backstage, they’re singing them as person to person, actor to actor, rather than a character from Rodgers and Hammerstein,” Mitchell said.
For the production’s seventh song, the actors transition from the real world into the theatrical world. Once the actors are seen in an onstage setting, they play characters from the musicals. Songs and characters from different Rodgers and Hammerstein shows are blended together into the same song and scenario.
Rehearsals began less than two weeks ago. In all, about 45 Rodgers and Hammerstein songs are featured.
“So for five people to not just learn, but to embrace, embody, to live that music — that’s a lot,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell and Speedie say “Some Enchanted Evening” will be a fairly short, family-friendly production. Tickets are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $5 for students.