Let's Put On A Show!

Unlike the kids in the old Judy Garland/Mickey Rooney movies who were always able to build a stage in the old barn and pull a show together in a flash, real musical theater takes a ton of unseen hard work.

The cast and crew of the upcoming Tony® award winning show “Hairspray” at Matunuck’s Theatre By The Sea have exactly 15 days to meet, be fitted for costumes and wigs, learn the songs and dance routines and their staging, raise the set, perfect the lighting and be ready for Showtime. No sweat, right?

Day one – July 5th. The meet and greet for the cast is the first time that all of the actors for this production are in one room, having been hired by the Ocean State Theatre Company, the resident Producing Company for Theatre By The Sea, through several East Coast auditions that took place months ago. It is also the day to be introduced to the history of the “old barn” itself.

“For those of you not familiar with our theater, it is literally a converted barn” said Producing Artistic Director Amiee Turner, “- literally.” Turner launched into a short history, from the renovation of the farm barn into a performance theater in the early 1930s, through some of the big names who have trod the boards - Marlon Brando, Mae West, Carole Channing, Groucho Marx – to today’s incarnation.

Managing Producer Joel Kipper let the actors know that the saying “that’s not my job” is not part of life in Matunuck.

“We all pitch in to help with whatever needs to get done” he said. “Our philosophy is that theater is a team sport. I could be the best actor, but if I don’t have help with costumes and sets and music…If we build a great set but have no one to act on it…”

The cast is also introduced to everyone who contributes to the show, from the staff electrician to the box office manager. “You may say to yourself why am I meeting the electrician or the business manager, I never did on any other acting job” said Kipper. “But that is part of our team philosophy, everyone here is important to the success of the show and we are all here to help”.

With that, each cast member introduces themselves and gives a little bit of their own history, including their home towns. If they are locals, they are asked to help the other actors find their way around town.

“I still get lost walking around the house I’m staying in”, said acting intern Antonio Tillman from Richmond, VA. The atmosphere is warm and friendly with much laughter punctuating the introductions. Erin McCracken, who is playing lead character Tracy Turnblad, offered any information about Oklahoma where she is from, but admitted that she knows nothing about Rhode Island. Yvette Monique Clark of NYC is appearing in “Hairspray” for the sixth time.

“I don’t like the rehearsal process” she joked, “I’ll be on the beach while you babies are dancing”.

While there will be a beach party for the cast and some daytime downtime during the run, Turner cautioned the cast to “get your homework done, so you can go to the party the next day”.

“There is tons of material for you guys to learn” she said, “and the expectation is that you will learn it”. “This is a huge undertaking on any schedule” the show’s director and choreographer Russell Garrett said. “It is a big, big show and almost every number is a production number, there is very little park and bark. This show is so joyful, we’re going to have a great time, but to get to that point we have to work really, really hard!” he said.

Garrett then laid out his directions for the cast. “Hairspray” takes place in early 60’s Baltimore and touches on issues of racism, weight and beauty, and other heavy topics albeit with a light touch. “I want to make sure those things are not ignored” he implored, I want them brought forward”.

Since “Man of La Mancha” is still on stage at the theatre, the “Hairspray” cast will spend their days on the second floor at the theatre’s rehearsal hall on Woodruff Ave. The floor has been taped off to reflect the stage area, showing where the set pieces will be and where on stage the actors will be placed.

Garrett explains the challenges of Matunuck’s stage to the cast. For one, there is no stage right. The pulley system that helps with scene changes takes up that part of the stage, so all entries and exits have to come through stage left or by fly-ins. The stage is also not as deep or wide as others they have probably been on, so with a cast of 27, adjustments have to be made. There is also no air conditioning in the theatre. “You need to be going full out during rehearsal” he told the cast, “so you are in top condition for the show”.

Next, the cast is placed in the hands of musical director Frederick Willard. The music is going to start, but so is the measuring. The costume designer got started three weeks ago, buying and renting some outfits, cutting out the muslin patterns for others. During the music rehearsals today, the actors will be pulled out a few at a time to go downstairs to the costume shop for fittings.

There are 45 wigs involved in this production as well. Marcia Zammarelli, from the costume program at Rhode Island College and a designer for over thirty years, will be in charge of this “Hairspray”. “I love this show” she said, “and I am absolutely thrilled to be designing it.” She and her assistants have their work cut out for them, making lots of the costumes from scratch in the next week or so.

Back upstairs, musical director Willard had the actors laughing and warned them that he is a “great believer in violating personal space.” “I want you to belt it out and I’m going to be walking around, leaning in close” he said. His first day rule is to sing, even if you get every note wrong, but make sure to articulate every word. He has them go over one line from a song “Cus you can’t stop the beat!” over and over to learn what to emphasize and where to put extra sound. “Cuz you can’t stop the beat” he sang out. “Because if you do, the show’s over” he said.

Today, the singing is done seated, straight out of the songbooks on laps. That will change very soon.

There are several locals cast in “Hairspray”. Tom Gleadow and Alexa Shanahan, both of South Kingstown, are cast as Edna Turnblad and Penny Pingleton respectively. Amy O’Brien-Milhoua, of Green Hill and Wilton, Conn. successfully bid for a walk on role at last year’s end of season fundraiser. O’Brien-Milhoua grew up in Matunuck and was an usher at the theatre during the Tommy Brent era. She majored in musical theatre at Rhode Island College and is now a “stay at home Mom”.

“I jumped at the chance to bid for the part” she said, “I feel like I’ve come full circle”. Sean McGuirk or Warwick will be playing Wilbur Turnblad. Two Massachusetts residents are also in the cast: Stacey Geer is cast as the female authority figure, which is actually 3 different characters and recent high school graduate Jimmy Larkin is cast as Sketch, one of the nicest kids in town.

Judging by the voices heard on Day one, this cast is going to rock the house. Follow Patch as we follow the progress of this show.

 “Hairspray” opens July 22^nd (previews July 20th & 21^st) and runs through August 13^th. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling the Box Office at 401-782-8587.