Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Award-winning "[title of show]" opens at The George Street Playhouse

Award-winning "[title of show]" opens at The George Street Playhouse




The OBIE award-winning musical comedy, "[title of show]", yes, that's the show's title, opened this week at the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick. It is a light, charming, contemporary back-stage musical comedy loaded with clever, funny lines and physical comedy. Anyone who is a hardcore fan of theater, student or aspiring thespian will particularly enjoy this glimpse of back-stage life and the creative writing process.

The four marvelous performers take us on a joy ride as we witness their efforts to create a musical in three weeks and how their relationships are changed. The story? It is about two struggling writers, Jeff and Hunter, who make a commitment to write something new in three weeks for a festival, however they quickly find that writing a musical comedy about the process of writing is more interesting than anything else they could write. Where did the title come from? Since the boys want to enter the competition, but don't have a clue about a subject they simply entered on the 'title of show' line of the application form........[title of show].

The four terrific actors are Seth Rudetsky, as Jeff; Tyler Maynard, who's excellent physical comedy is reminiscent of Pee Wee Herman and Jerry Lewis, is Hunter; the two lady friends (not girlfriends) of the collaborators areLauren Kennedy as Heidi, an actress/dancer waiting for her big break, and Susan Mosher who plays Susan, who works by day 'at a real job,' while seeking her break.

Note that [title of show] clearly is not descended from the musical world of Rodgers and Hammerstein. Fans of the more traditional musical may have difficulty relating to this production, however to help in understanding many of the terms and references... the program contains a 'must-read' glossary of terms e.g. "The O'Neill Center"- a

Connecticut-based summer camp for grown-up theatre nerds Hunter may say, "I made out hard with that dude at The O'Neil Center.")

Creating the world of [title of show] is director Matt Lentz (Hairspray at the Paper Mill Playhouse); Jeff Bowen, music and lyrics; Hunter Bell, the book; scenic designer R. Michael Miller; costume designer Michael MacDonald; lighting designer Phillip Rosenberg; sound designer , Walter Trarbach; projection designer Michael Clarke. The use of rear screen projection is very effective.

Bottom line: The show is a fascinating look behind the scenes of the creative process. While you may not come away humming any of the15 tunes, they are fun to hear and sung by excellent voices. [title of show] is probably best enjoyed by a young adult, or a young at heart, hip audience.

Will the [title of show] be selected for the Festival? Will it succeed? Go to Broadway? To find out..contact theGeorge Street Playhouse Box Office, 732-246-7717 or online at www.GSPonline.org. Tickets begin at $25.

Performances run to Sunday, December 12, 2010. The George Street Playhouse is located at 9 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, New Jersey just steps from public transportation, convenient parking and some of the area’s finest restaurants for every taste and budget. The theatre seating is of the excellent stadium variety.

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