The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Goshen Players celebrate family ties, 70th spring production
‘It Shoulda Been You,’ group’s 70th spring production, brings together grandmother, granddaughter
GOSHEN — Almost no theater relationship is closer than that of director and stage manager — they make up two halves of the whole without which no production can succeed.
They must know what to expect of one another, know what to expect of their cast and know how to communicate clearly and precisely at all times.
Some might say that they need to be able to read one another’s minds. Who better to have in that partnership than someone you have known and loved all of your life?
Lea Dmytryck, the director of Goshen Players’ production of “It Shoulda Been You” came to Goshen’s Old Town Hall stage more than 50 years ago.
More than three decades later, Jessica Pitts, the stage manager for that same production, tagged along to that same theater — it was easier than finding a sitter for her and her sister.
Now they work side by side, bringing this hilarious musical to the Goshen Players’ stage, according to a news release from the Players.
All of her adult life, Lea Dmytryck has relished nothing more than sharing her love of theater with her family.
For decades, when she was tapped as artistic director for a production, her late husband, Paul Dmytryck, was her tried and true stage manager. It is bittersweet that with Paul gone, her youngest granddaughter, Jessica Pitts, fills the role which her grandfather once held.
Pitts grew up in local theaters, a fixture at rehearsals for productions in which her extended family was deeply involved.
She and her elder sister, Lea Milton, played at Old Goshen Town Hall since before their conscious memories, singing along to musical rehearsals, reminding actors of forgotten lines, playing in the attic full of costumes and the basement full of props.
As she grew up, Pitts graduated from parts in elementary and middle school productions to backstage roles in local theaters, including the Warner and Goshen Players. Her Nana was always nearby, both on stage and off..
Dmytryck and Pitts grew ever closer as the
years passed, the elder acting as the rock-like foundation on which Pitts’ early adult life was built while the younger filled the role of resilient guide through some of the pitfalls of her grandmother’s post-retirement life.
When she heard her grandmother was directing Goshen Players’ 70th spring production, Pitts immediately volunteered to act as stage manager.
The two women work together seamlessly as they rehearse the production opening April 13, ensuring the hundreds of moving parts which make up any musical are meshing together correctly.
They communicate
openly and easily, with lots of laughter and love, each carefully watching and watching out for the other through rehearsals and production meetings. Their bond has been strengthened as they anticipate the arrival of Pitts’ first child — a daughter — this coming summer.
“It Shoulda Been You” with music by Barbara Anselmi and book and lyrics by Brian Hargrove will be presented on April 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m., and April 15 and 22 at 3 p.m. The production is directed by Lea Dmytryck with musical direction by Jim Luurtsema.
The bride is Jewish. The groom is Catholic. Her mother is a force of nature.
His mother is a tempest in a cocktail shaker. And when the bride’s ex-boyfriend crashes the party, the perfect wedding starts to unravel faster than you can whistle “Here Comes the Bride!”
It’s up to the sister of the bride to turn a tangled mess into happily ever after in this musical comedy for anyone who ever had parents.
All tickets for the cabaret style seating are reserved and cost $25. Tickets can be purchased at www.goshenplayers.org or by calling the box office at 860-491-9988 and leaving a message for call back. Early reservations are recommended as Cabaret Seating is limited.