A long-postponed musical finally takes the stage in Plattsburgh, New York.
Artistry Community Theatre (ACT) will perform the musical, [title of show]. This comedic show by Hunter Bell and Jeff Bowen will be staged at Clinton Community College for 3 performances: April 8 & 9 at 7:00 pm, and April 10 at 2:00 pm. [title of show] is directed by Derrick A. Hopkins with music direction by Kimberly Weems.
Jeff and Hunter, two struggling writers, hear about a new musical theater festival. The deadline for submissions, however, is a mere three weeks away. With nothing to lose, the pair decides to try to create something new with the help of their friends Susan, Heidi and Mary on the eighty-eights. With the cast in place, Jeff and Hunter begin a conversation about what to write about. Eventually, Jeff suggests they write about what to write about. They make a pact to write up until the festival’s deadline and dream about the show changing their lives. [title of show], taken from the space on the festival’s application form which asks for the “[title of show]”, follows Hunter and Jeff and their friends on their journey through the gauntlet of creative self-expression. [title of show] is, above all, a love letter to the musical theater — a uniquely American art form — and to the joy of collaboration.
Director Derrick A. Hopkins said “Two years ago, we were ten days away from opening. It was a devastating loss that Michael Bergman, Chad Hebert, Elizabeth Abair, and music director Jennifer Moore never got to see their work seen. As musicians, as actors, as creative souls, the realization that it was over was very hard. I tried desperately for two years to bring it back with the original team. There was some hope, but a lot of disappointment. The lives of our original [title of show] family moved on with only Sarah Cohen able to continue as Heidi. Artistry dedicates this production to our previous [title of show] family and honors their work.”
He added “Cody Gooley, James Kelly, Sarah Cohen, Megan Land, and Kimberly Weems have done an outstanding job! They have taken the characters in new directions and made it their own. At its heart, [title of show] is everything I love about theatre: hilarious, moving, weird, naughty, and a whole lot of fun. It’s real. It’s raw. I believe it will be a show that generations will perform time and time again.”
Original cast member, Sarah Cohen, who plays Heidi, stated, “It’s hard for me to find the words to truly explain my love for [title of show]. What a roller coaster ride this has been! I was a part of the original ACT cast that was supposed to perform in March of 2020. Unfortunately, everything shut down 10 days before opening. To say we were heartbroken would be a gross understatement. Finding out that we could still do the show, nearly two years later, was exciting and terrifying all over again. What if it got canceled again? What if we work and work and work and then it doesn’t happen? I cannot wait for everyone to see what we have accomplished!”
“[title of show] is a wacky and hilarious show about two guys writing a musical about to guys writing a musical” said Cody Gooley, who plays Hunter. “When I heard that the show would be happening again after being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I knew that I had to jump right on it. I instantly fell in love with the music, the story, and the characters.”
Megan Land, who portrays Susan, said, “Being a healthcare worker during these difficult times this really resonated with me. By all accounts I have a good job with steady hours and great pay; yet more and more I find myself wishing I had taken a different route. Every day I see people leaving these ‘good’ jobs due to the increased stress and demands brought on by the limitations of our healthcare system and choosing something less conventional that focuses on feeding the soul more than the bank account. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t been tempted to leave myself. Thankfully I have a local theater to help me keep a better life balance for now (at least until Broadway comes calling) and a loving family to support me through the tough days. If there is one thing, I hope we take away from our new post COVID world it’s the importance of the arts during difficult times and the value of life outside of the ‘hustle’ that the world has been pushing us to live.”
All performances will be held in Stafford Auditorium at Clinton Community College in Plattsburgh. Reservations can be made by visiting http://www.artistrytheatre.org.
Tickets will also be available to purchase at the door. General admission is $15.00.
The show is recommended for ages 17+ as it contains adult language and humor.