Interested in some musical theatre tapas?
If so, come see five original short musicals that explore different aspects of our humanity and are presented by students in the University of Miami’s newest performance space.
This is what audiences can expect at the grand opening of the new Theatre Arts Building, which begins on Tuesday, March 25, with “New Box, New Musicals” in its Black Box Theater. The production will feature original 20-minute plays with three characters each and a cast of 12 theatre arts students from the College of Arts and Sciences. All of the short musicals were written by graduate students as part of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts’ musical theatre writing program.
“From what I can see so far, I think this production will be quite extraordinary,” said NDavid Williams, senior lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts, who is directing the show. “The students are really getting a chance to act, and are bringing their hearts, souls, and brains into this. Also, in the new Black Box Theatre, the production values are changed, with an emphasis on the acting, singing, and imagination.”
The performance marks a new partnership between the University’s Department of Theatre Arts and NYU to delve into original short musicals, and showcase them on campus, experimenting with new music and theater that will expand the repertoire of young actors.
The short musicals include:
- “The Meatball,” about how a mother and dog work to protect their baby from the dangers of the world. Music by Onn San and lyrics by Sean Patterson.
- “Strawman,” where two straw-crossed lovers contend with a malevolent creature lurking in and amongst the corn. Music by Jinhee Kim and lyrics by Cal Silverstein.
- “The Yellow Wallpaper,” based on a short story with the same title, this play examines what mysteries lie just beyond the wallpaper of a mother’s nursery. Music by Eliza Randall and book by Sam Norman.
- “Mother’s Goose,” about a woman who struggles to confront her feelings toward her mother, her city, her identity and perhaps even someone special. Music by Benji Goldsmith and lyrics by Wes Braver.
- “Blood Drive,” explores the seemingly everyday needs and desires of two seemingly everyday people. Music by Joel Derfner and lyrics by Tony Award winner Rachel Sheinkin, who also wrote “The 25thAnnual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”
Funding to create the Theatre Arts Building, which opened for classes this January, was made possible by the generosity of many donors, including Jayne Baron Sherman, an alumna and award-winning producer of theater and television, and alumna Sally K. Albrecht. The building was designed by MATEU Architecture, Inc.
“New Box, New Musicals,” will run from Tuesday, March 25, through Saturday, March 29, at 8 p.m. with one matinee on March 29 at 2 p.m. Tickets are free to the public, but reservations are strongly suggested.
Williams read through at least 20 polished scripts to find the five selected for “New Box, New Musicals,” and he said while each play is surprising and different, the human experiences tie them together.
“The material we are delving into is really worthwhile,” Williams said. “They all have curveballs, and they are stretching our students’ acting and singing chops, as well as their imagination, so these young actors are making the messages of these musicals come alive. And anyone who comes will see new acting and writing talent that I guarantee will be heard again.”
