Dexter, Chelsea Artists Celebrate 40 Years of Theater With Weekend Concert

What’s different about and the process we have immersed ourselves in to create it?

First of all, we have literally created the show. With true collaboration, the cast was involved with choosing the shows that would be represented, as well as the specific numbers included.

Typically, a show is set, with definite numbers, and cast members are fit into roles and songs.

In our show, the songs were selected by the cast and myself, jumping off from the starting point of suggestions from Chelsea Area Players board members to represent past shows, particularly those from the past decade. The numbers we chose specifically showcase cast members’ talents and passions.

For instance, it turns out we have a dozen excellent tap dancers in our 30-member cast. Result: “I Got Rhythm” from Crazy for You is in the show.

For instance: a young man recently performed the role of for Dexter High School this spring. Result: “Pure Imagination” is included in the show.

Another: Two guys already knew “Lida Rose,” one guy easily jumped in on bass, and the fourth guy was willing and eager to learn barbershop. Add four women with gorgeous voices, and voila, we have “Lida Rose/Will I Ever Tell You” from The Music Man in the show.

What female duet or trio number have you always wanted to perform? I asked some musical theatre majors in the cast. Easy: “At The Ballet” from A Chorus Line.  Add a brilliant concept by one of our co-choreographers to have ballet dancers silhoutted en pointe (yes, we have three young women from Dexter who can do this and are amazing), and you have another stunner piece in the show.

There’s something for everybody in our Fiddler on the Roof medley, with all of the girls asking “The Matchmaker” for a match, the menfolk and a brilliantly deep-voiced yenta pondering “Miracle of Miracles,” and the adult women wistfully musing about time passing so quickly in “Sunrise, Sunset.” Top it off with a Dexter teen already having a polished “Far From the Home I Love,” and you have heard from the entire village who ultimately support a young woman on her passage to a new life.

When I began working with two of our most experienced Chelsea Area Players veterans who are themselves creative characters and real-life chums, we just had to include “Bosom Buddies” from Mame.

Fooling around and playing with songs from Joseph early in our rehearsal process led to the selection of “Song of the King” (Pharoah’s song) when a seemingly reserved intellectual in our cast busted out the boldest and most hilarious Elvis impression we’d ever heard.

See, this is one of the many things I love about community theatre. It is such a gift and joy to provide the opportunity for each cast member individually and for the entire ensemble to shine.

We’ll be rocking out to songs from Godspell (one of my favorite shows for its interpretation potential and jam-worthy songs); adoring the kids in their energetic and charmingly choreographed tributes to Seussical and Alice in Wonderland; honoring the great Lady Thiang from King and I (we have the very woman who performed in CAP’s 1980 production reprising her role); and attending a rousing “Baseball Game” from You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown!

Our approach starting with song selection, and throughout the rehearsal process, has been based on playing, experimenting, trusting, respect, support and love.

The show is a tribute to CAP’s first 40 years. Each of the cast members–plus the onstage band!–will participate as themselves. We are a bunch of musical theatre lovers having a blast performing nearly 40 favorite show tunes. Consider this a peek behind the scenes, with cast members “discovering” representative props and costume pieces, and pouring out their hearts in song and dance to share with you our mutual passion for live theatre, connection, self-discovery, and joyful living.

Share a couple of hours with us, and it could change your life. Come as you are. Come and join the celebration. Come with an open heart and share the love. Be transformed.

The cast includes Eve Beauchamp, Leigh Beauchamp, Zoe Bowers, John Daly, Nancy Daly, Shelby Kasenow, Sophie Peterson, Carolyn Pierce, Beverly Slater and June Weiland from Chelsea; Brent Lofgren from Ann Arbor; Zach Husak, Janine Modafferi, Paula Modafferi, Rachel Modafferi, Mark Venden Heuvel and Hava Roussel from Dexter; Diane DuRussel from Manchester; Laura Bailey and Julie Skrobot from Howell; Emmi Veinbergs from Pinckney; Ethan Baker, Clayton Baker, Leslie Kucinkas and Amanda Laine from Saline; Todd St. George from Tipton; and Maya Rich from Ypsilanti. Ruth Ann Windle from Brooklyn is the accompanist. 

Show times are 7 p.m. on July 20 and July 21. There will be a 3 p.m. matinee on July 22. Tickets are available at www.ChelseaAreaPlayer.org or at the Chelsea Pharmacy, 1125 South Main St.