[NEohioPAL] Berko preview: FAT CAMP...Broadway show development comes to Cleveland

[Roy Berko]

A  chance to see a Broadway show develop before your eyes!

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--
Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News Times--Olmsted-Fairview 
Times

--coolcleveland.com—

Have you ever wondered how a potential Broadway show goes from script to stage?  
Have you been curious about what goes on during the rehearsals of a professional 
play?  Have you ever wanted your voice to be heard about what you like and 
dislike about a musical?  Well, if the answer to any of these questions is 
“yes,” you are about to get your chance.  And, you don’t have to go to New 
York.  The process is going to take place right here, in Cleveland.

PAGE TO STAGE is a new PlayhouseSquare project whose purpose is to invite 
theatre writers to develop Broadway-aimed productions, while allowing local 
audiences to provide response and feedback as the creators hone the work.

From July 13-24, the Hanna Theatre will be the center of historical theatrical 
activity, as  FAT CAMP, a musical about a group of plus-sized teens at a 
sleep-away camp, is developed.  The process started in 2009 when the script was 
showcased as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival and was awarded “The 
Best of the Fest.”  It also received a 2010 workshop.  Now, it’s ready for the 
Cleveland intervention.  It’s a work-in-progress and, hopefully, by the end of 
the PAGE TO STAGE  experiment, it will be closer to stage ready. 

FAT CAMP features a book by Randy Blair and Timothy Michael Drucker and music by 
Matthew roi Berger, with lyrics by Blair.  The show will be directed by Casey 
Hushion (whose credits include Assistant Direction THE DROWSY CHAPERONE and IN 
THE HEIGHTS on Broadway).  The cast are professional actors who have been 
selected in New York tryouts.  The show will be staged with minimal costumes and 
sets.

The producer of the show is Dodgers, a prolific staging company.  Some of their 
Broadway hits were JERSEY BOYS, THE SECRET GARDEN, INTO THE WOODS, URINETOWN, 
TITANIC, FOOTLOOSE, 1776, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, THE 
KING AND I, THE WHO'S TOMMY, GUYS AND DOLLS, BIG RIVER andPUMP BOYS AND 
DINETTES.

Tony-winning Dodger co-founder, Michael David, recently said, "We are most 
excited to be back in Cleveland at PlayhouseSquare, participating in their 
inaugural PAGE TO STAGE.”  He went on to say, "The Dodgers have had a long 
history developing shows at PlayhouseSquare and we are most appreciative for the 
opportunity to nurture this young, new production; to get it up on stage and to 
experiment, to refine, to try to find our feet with the support of the Playhouse 
staff, and the audiences of Cleveland."

Gina Vernaci, Vice President of Theatricals at PlayhouseSquare, states, 
“Audience feedback is not only encouraged it is crucial to the success of both 
PAGE TO STAGE and FAT CAMP.

How do you get involved?  From July 13 through the 24th, audiences will be able 
to sit in on a series of performances, creative conversations with cast members 
and the production team, listen to curtain speeches, chat one-on-one with the 
cast, and fill out comments cards that will be used to hone the show.  Tickets 
for each show will begin as low as  $10.  Half-price bar drinks will be sold and 
there will be special performances for teens on July 13 and 20th (use code 
TEEN).  For a complete rundown of what’s going on, go to 
www.playhousesquare.org/pageto stage. For tickets call 216-241-6000.
 
Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2001 through 
2011, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at 
http://royberko.info.  His reviews can also be found on www.coolcleveland.com 
and www.NeOHIOpal