Continuing Education at UW-Waukesha is on the move. Literally. Travel Coordinator Vic Passante, a retired drama director from Oconomowoc High School, is continuing his Class on Wheels approach with two popular Broadway musicals in Chicago: Motown: The Musical and Newsies. Like Continuing Education’s very successful Book of Mormon trips, Motown and Newsies will entertain AND educate. As the group travels south from Waukesha to the Windy City, Passante lectures and shows interviews or film clips to help prepare the group for the show ahead.
UW-Waukesha took over 200 people to see Book of Mormon in 2013. “We watched a South Park episode which inspired the musical and listened to interviews of the playwrights and directors. I was able to give the class (bus load) enough information to heighten their interest and prepare them for the comic elements in the musical,” said Passante. “It is an amazing opportunity to teach. Talk about a classroom with no interruptions: No bells or announcements; No passes in or passes out!” he joked. “Honestly, every time I lead a bus tour to a play, I’m reminded how much I miss teaching.”
Motown: The Musical is written by Motown Records’ founder Berry Gordy and is based on his autobiography. The musical opens at a 1983 reunion to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the record company and is told mostly in flashback to Motown’s beginning. It features a vast collection of characters: Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Mary Wells, and the Temptations. With 50 songs, it’s more of a concert theater piece, like Jersey Boys. “Who wouldn’t want to attend a Motown concert? This is the soundtrack to my adolescence,” Baby-Boomer Passante said. “Every song, every dance move takes me back to my favorite moments in high school.”
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Newsies has been playing to sold-out houses in New York since it opened more than two years ago. With music by award-winning Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Tangled and scores of other Disney projects) and a book by Tony-award winner Harvey Fierstein (Hairspray, La Cage aux Folles and Torch Song Trilogy) , this musical was certain to garner its own awards, which it did (Tony for Best Choreography and Best Score). Continuing Education is featuring this entertaining and educational outing as a Family Event. “Every family member from Grandpa to little Johnny will love this show and this trip,” Passante boasted.
Passante added, “We hope our Classroom on Wheels will continue to grow.” Call Continuing Education 262-521-5460 to register or visit our website at www.waukesha.uwc.edu/travel. Registration for Motown closes May 30. People can register for Newsies until the end of August.
