SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK  (Comedy and music) Performances: May 24-26, June  7-9, 14-16.

 SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK (Comedy and music)
 Based upon the television cartoon series created by George Newall and Tom Yohe, Book by Scott Ferguson, George Keating and Kyle Hall, Music and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Bob Dorough, Dave Frishberg, Kathy Mandry, George Newhall and Tom Yohe.
Auditions: April 9-10
Performances: May 24-26, June  7-9, 14-16.

Cast List Bobbi Hudson Chris Wendel Amy Warner Brett Nichols Ty Curtis Jessica Cerutti Tom Pritchard Ed Mulcahy Steve Peterson

Production Team

Special Thanks

Based on the Emmy Award winning 1970s Saturday morning cartoon series that taught history, grammar, math, science and politics through clever, tuneful songs. A teacher nervous about his first day, tries to relax by watching TV, when various characters representing facets of his personality emerge from the TV. They show him how to win his students over with imagination and music, through such beloved Schoolhouse Rock songs as "Just a Bill", "Lolly, Lolly, Lolly". and "Conjunction Junction". appeals to a  wide range of age groups with fun entertainment.

 We will cast 3 Men and 3 women, 16 and older,  for this fast paced, energetic musical. Please come prepared with a song for vocal audition, I would suggest you pick a song that will showcase your character, energy and range.( i.e. I'll be impressed with something from Les Mis but it would not be appropriate). Please note that there are  3 to 6 part harmonies so be prepared for some harmony exercises.  We will conduct dance and movement auditions so dress appropriately, and don't be surprised if there is some improvisation exercises for you as well!
For those of you familiar with Schoolhouse Rock, this will be a walk (or dance, or crawl, or leap) down memory lane. For those of you not familiar, you will be introduced to the magical world of teaching through song and imagination.
Perusal scripts are available at the OTP Business Office. For further information call 947-2210.
I hope to see you there!!!
Michelle Perez

School House Rock, Live! opened last night as the last production of the 2000-2001 season at Old Town Playhouse. And what a fine way to end a season!

Television has always made an effort to educate as well as entertain it's audience. In the 70's School House Rock offered little pieces of education during intermissions of kids shows on Saturday's. These cartoons introduced concepts of language, science and math in song and dance. So good were these pieces that they won an Emmy. The Theater BAM and David McCall gathered these pieces together, bound them with a story line and School House Rock. Live! was born.

The story begins as Tom, a teacher wakes up on the morning of his first teaching job. As with all new endeavors, he suffers from the fear of the unknown. Will he be good enough? Can he actually teach? He turns to his television for comfort and out jump his alter egos to sing and dance, showing him that teaching can be fun. Thus begins a fast paced hour and a half of music and singing and dancing. 

Director Michelle Perez  debuts her directing talents with this play. She has performed and worked back stage at Old Town Playhouse for several years. Finally, she took the step to direct. As debuts go , this is a nicely crafted play. The Studio theater space does not lend it self to large casts and productions. Yet Director Perez and Choreographer Kris Hains have managed to bring excitement and movement to this limited space. 

Vocal Director Tom Stokes advanced the technology of the Studio space by using an electronic piano for the orchestral accompaniment. This use of technology opens new roads for the types of plays that can be presented in the Studio. Light Designer Cinder Conlon created wonderful effects with pin spots and a mirror ball that rival our main stage productions. She, also, used a spotlight. I wonder how the performers can work with a powerful beam so close to them? It didn't seem to bother anyone else but me. I have worked with spotlights and they are powerful and blinding from 70 feet away, but twelve feet?

The Vocal Ensemble was exciting and pleasant to hear. Brett Nichols, OTP veteran, does a fine job with Tom , the new teacher. Amy Warner and Chris Wendel, both OTP veterans, bring diverse characters to their roles. While most of the music was ensemble singing, these two opened and close many songs. Ty Curtis has been seen on Main stage several times in chorus roles but finally comes into his own as a performer. His enthusiasm helped him through some of the rougher moments. Bobbi Hudson brings a sweet voice to the Studio. We have seen her on main stage as well, but now we see her close up in Studio. She does not disappoint in talent. Rounding out the vocal ensemble is Jessica Cerutti. Jessica is new to OTP and jumped right in with both feet. Her energy and vocal capabilities let us hope that she will be around for a long time.

Three other players figure in this presentation. The playbill calls them the "Comet Team". Ed Mulcahy and Steve Peterson have graced out stage for sometime now but Tom Pritchard makes his stage debut with us. This team moves on and off stage filling in characters and bit parts that keep the eye moving about the stage. They are enjoyable to watch.

The Studio space has, traditionally, been a venue for smaller plays and low tech productions. School House Rock. Live! may signal a change in the thinking of the Playhouse about the use of the Studio space. This production utilizes all the play space and more in the studio. Maybe we are looking at larger productions for this space. The play runs an Hour and a half with a 10 minute intermission. Make sure you are there for a 7:00 curtain, some advertising had an 8:00 curtain and you would miss most of the show if you arrive late. The kids will love it as well as the kid in all of us.

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