Young theatre groups show their strength in song
This may not be a movement, but it’s certainly a growing phenomenon. Many talented young musical theatre wannabes are taking action by forming their own groups, raising money, renting a theatre, putting on a show, and making full use of new technology to promote themselves.
This week, two youth-driven musical theatre shows, produced by interrelated companies, opened simultaneously in Montreal. The newly founded Beautiful City Theatre launched its production of the 1970s pop musical, Godspell, at Centaur Theatre on the same night (Thursday) that AUTS (Arts Undergraduate Theatre Society) opened its production of the venerable West Side Story at McGill’s Moyse Hall.
Although they are both essentially amateur productions (performers do not get paid), they have bigger budgets than one might expect.
Godspell is operating on about $30,000 (of which about $2,000 was raised via an Indiegogo Internet campaign), as compared to West Side Story’s $37,000.
AUTS, which is essentially a student company aimed at drawing a predominantly student audience (using Facebook and Flash Mob tac- tics), may have a slight fundraising advantage in that it receives grants from McGill University and other sources.
Beautiful City Theatre, which sees itself as an emerging professional company appealing to a wider public, is on its own.
Neither show has the benefit of a trained, seasoned director, although Godspell director Calli Armstrong, who directed the AUTS production of Kiss of The Spider Woman under another name, is a drama therapist currently completing her PhD in psychology at McGill. “While I’ve done some musical theatre,” Armstrong, a thirtysomething native of Sudbury, said in an interview, “I come from a position of using theatre for intervention and change.”
West Side Story director, Rebecca Pearl, 21, a Torontonian with a dance background, is a third year McGill student majoring in psychology with a minor in theatre. This is her first major show.
On Thursday night, I attended Godspell and found it more enthusiastic than polished. But it had its illuminating moments that either carried the special thrill of discovering fresh new talent (like the opera-trained Laurent Bergeron, who sings All Good Gifts beautifully), or offered a chance to watch the development of already rising young stars.
Dane Stewart, in the role of Jesus, and Emily Skahan, in an ensemble role are familiar faces on the fringe scene. Stewart has previously been seen in AUTS productions like Kiss of the Spider Woman and minimusicals presented by Processed Theatre. Skahan performed in Processed Theatre’s hit show, Reefer Madness. Both of them are members of the indie-folk band, Motel Raphaël.
Elizabeth Conway, who recently played multiple girlfriends in Stephen Sondheim’s Company at McGill, has an impressive voice, too, although she does need to tone down the mugging.
The set (by Eric Chad, also the technical director), is a mess of hanging sheets, giant building blocks and paint-splattered cardboard. And the motley costumes, by Katrina Carrier, range from funky (Skahan in a ’50s ensemble) to puzzling or awful.
The musical side of this Godspell is its strong point, and I suspect the same will be true of West Side Story. Young companies tend to recruit their musical directors and/or musicians from the McGill Faculty of Music. For example, Godspell musical director David Terriault, who also plays keyboards, is studying classical piano at McGill.
And there always seems to be a fairly large number of talented, eager young singers longing to be heard on stage in Montreal.
In Godspell they’re at their highspirited best singing together in the numerous group numbers. Songs like Day by Day and Prepare Ye remain as catchy as ever. And of course, the story, lifted from the New Testament, rings familiar.
West Side Story, with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Arthur Laurents, inspired by William Shakespeare, continues at McGill’s Moyse Hall, 853 Sherbrooke W., until Feb. 1. Start time, 7:30 p.m. Tickets $20, student $15. Visit www.facebook.com/autsmcgill.
Godspell, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwarz (plus some lyrics from a few hymn books) and book by John-Michael Tebelak, continues at Centaur Theatre, 453 St. François Xavier St., until Feb. 2. Start time, 7:30 p.m. Tickets $35, seniors $25, students $20. Call 514238-6161 or visit www.beautifulcitytheatre.com.