Musical Parodies Marriage at ART Station

Taking in “Married Alive,” the musical play at the ART Station in Stone Mountain, could be just the ticket to cure the mid-summer blues. The last show of the season promises to be plenty of fun as two couples, one young and one older, explore the highs and lows of married life.

Vignettes linked together by songs lead the audience down matrimony’s bumpy path from newly married bliss to the maturity of an empty nest. With book and lyrics by Sean Grennan and music by Leah Okimoto, the show moves along with a mix of scenes and musical numbers accompanied by two keyboards.

The play takes on a funny, poignant tone from the opening
scene when the young husband pledges at their wedding, “I vow to be the Ken to your Barbie.”

As life moves along for both couples, they lament to each other through bittersweet songs such as “Oh We Owe Money,” “Stupid in Love” and “Oh Knocked Up.”

“It’s a positive slant on marriage covering typical problems couples face,” said choreographer and director Karen Beyer. Working opposite shifts, teenagers and the ubiquitous communication gap are a few of the challenges. In the end it’s reassuring that through all the woes of matrimony, couples stick it out, said Beyer.  

The play, starring Galen Crawley, Maxim Gukhman, Janet Metzger and Larry Ruth is at ART Station and runs from July 20 through Aug. 7. See ART Station's website for more information.

“Once Upon a Tune,” July 21, ART Station. A musical treat guaranteed to whet the appetites of young readers. Drawing from such classics as “Green Eggs and Ham,” “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Oh, The Thinks You Can Think,” Wendy Bennett creates
vocal vignettes with style and charm. Students learn how to use voice, gestures and facial expressions to “sell” a song. $6 child, $8 adult. Groups of 10 or more $5 per person group price.