This week’s show is a musical, folks! These babies only come around once in a while, so be sure to check this one out.
This week: “Western Civilization: The Complete Musical (abridged)”
Directed by Steve Sunu ’08 and assistant directed by Ted Kelly ’08
Sunu and stage manager Elizabeth Susca ’09 decided they wanted to put on a musical together, but there was one major stipulation: they wanted to work with a small cast. And so “Western Civilization” found its way to Wesleyan.
Working with only three actors, Sunu found his directorial debut surprisingly rewarding.
“You realize that you’re spending more time with your cast and crew than any other person on campus, including your housemates,” he said. “It was a unique experience that I doubt could be repeated.”
By the end of the rehearsal period, the cast and crew had formed a working atmosphere based on camaraderie and respect – essentials for the creation of a cohesive ensemble piece.
Rehearsal time was divided: Sunu in charge of the musical direction, Kelly the scene work and blocking. Although the cast has been rehearsing for weeks, Sunu is shocked at how fast they moved through rehearsal: “It seemed to go by so quickly. It seems like just yesterday that we started our read- through”
“Western Civilization,” in short, is a full-length musical that uses three actors to chronicle the past 1,000 years. Simple? Of course not! Created by those same hooligans who brought you “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged),” the show is bound to be high energy, fast-paced, and full of laughs. With a triple-decker cast of multi-faceted talents, good things are bound to happen.
And, there is an added bonus of a show like this. As Sunu puts it, “You might even learn something.”
Western Civilization: The Complet Musical (abridged) opened in the ’92 Theater on Thursday, Oct. 25, and runs until Saturday, Oct. 27. Performances at 8:00 p.m.. Starring: Rob Boyd ’08, Gabriel Fries ’09, and Leah Lucid ’10.
Leave a Reply