NEWS RELEASE
Riverside Theatre announces Backsage Access with Jim VanValen, a series of adult courses that take a closer look at the professional productions being presented at Riverside Theatre.
“Along with all the great programming we have for young people, we wanted to expand our educational opportunities to adults as well,” says Jim VanValen, Education Director. “With Backstage Access, we can explore theatre as an art form that celebrates the magical relationship between actors and audience within a shared space and time.
“By examining a specific play on the Riverside calendar, studying its past production history, and learning about Riverside’s production through visits from guest artists and design displays, class members will discuss each play, be introduced to various production elements, and, ultimately, analyze the choices made at Riverside after attending a performance.”
Part lecture, part seminar, part participation, and part discussion, the Backstage Access classes seek to build a greater awareness of the many facets and collaborations involved in theatrical expression.
Classes are as follows:
Course 1
Ring of Fire – This course will look at Riverside’s production of Ring of Fire while also exploring the life and work of Johnny Cash from a historical, cultural, personal, and musical point of view. Analysis of Cash’s influence on American culture, his exploration of social concerns, his ability to connect areas of country, rock ‘n roll, and gospel in his music, his battles with substance abuse, and his desire to keep a low profile in later years – all will be discussed throughout the course. Also, the concept of the “Jukebox Musical” will be examined as the class looks into the script of Ring of Fire, the production history and story-telling style of the play, and the creative goals that are sought by this particular production at Riverside Theatre.
Course Dates: Meets Wednesdays 9:30am to 12noon (10/12, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2)
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Course 2
Chicago — This course will examine the original production of Chicago, the historical context surrounding the show’s creation (from its inspired roots in the 1920s to the urban lifestyles of the 1970s), and Bob Fosse’s goals and explorations within the piece. Class will then explore some of the music and imagery spanning various productions both here and abroad, revivals, and film interpretations. Throughout our exploration of the musical’s history and multiple interpretations, we will also focus on Riverside’s production and get a deeper understanding of the particular style of choreography and dancing connected to the piece, the costume and scenic design elements, and the vision of the director. One of the questions to be examined is – “Why does a satire inspired by actual events in the 1920s and focusing, in essence, on corruption, media, and murder still resonate to this day?”
Course Dates: Meets Wednesdays 9:30am to 12noon (1/4, 1/11, & 1/18)*
*please note that there are only three sessions due to the holiday break.
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Course 3
Private Lives – This course will take a closer look at Noel Coward and his effect on 20th Century theatre and comedy. His ‘comedy of manners’ style is part of a spectrum within the British theatre tradition from Restoration comedies all the way through to Farce – a style whose seeds can be found in such examples as some of today’s British comedies as well as such American sitcoms such as “Frasier.” By looking at these various examples of British comedy and Noel’s place within, we will also examine the various production choices in past interpretations as well as the choices being explore by Riverside. One of the questions to be discussed involves the concept of “style”. All plays have a style – “What is the essential style of Coward’s piece? How do we capture that style in the 21st Century, and why does it still delight audiences?”
Course Dates: Meets Wednesdays 9:30am to 12noon (1/25, 2/1, & 2/8)*
*please note that there are only three sessions due to the adjusted classes for Chicago as well as the start of the rehearsal process for Mame.
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Course 4
Mame – This course will look at one of the classic plays from the American stage and one of the most famous characters found in American musicals. As with other musicals adapted from plays and films, we will explore the source material for Mame as well as the various casting choices over the years incorporating such names as Angela Lansbury, Lucille Ball, and Elaine Stritch. Costumes will be a highlight of the discussion as we examine the costume design and build processes taking place here at Riverside.
Course Dates: Meets Wednesdays 9:30am to 12noon (2/15, 2/22, 3/1, & 3/8)
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Course 5
Saturday Night Fever – This course will look at John Badham’s famous 1977 film as the source material for the stage musical. Exploring the memorable images captured through the wardrobe of the period and the music of the Bee Gees, the class will celebrate platform shoes, polyester, and Brooklyn discotheques. We will also look at the trend involving the transition of popular movies to stage versions where someone at some point uttered the phrase “You know what would make a good musical — … “. Along with our discussion of this particular play, this will also be an opportunity for the class to learn about the co-production between Riverside and Walnut Street and to hear from actors, directors, and designers about the challenges and possibilities that come from mounting a production in two different parts of the country.
Course Dates: Meets Wednesdays 9:30am to 12noon (3/29, 4/5, & 4/12)*
*please note that there are only three sessions due to the spring break camps taking place on 3/21.
Tuition for each course will be $70. Riverside Theatre members receive a 25% discount on the tuition price. To purchase a course, call the Riverside Theatre Box Office at 772-231-6990 or online at www.riversidetheatre.com.
Indian River Guardian 