musical

Wesleyan Brings “Kiss Me, Kate” Alive

Published on February 28, 2017 in Fine Arts by Ella V Cooper

Wesleyan’s winter musicals involve countless hours of pre-planning, practicing, costuming and set design. Director Steve Broyles said, “We set very high expectations for everyone, from ensemble to leads; from choreography to set & lighting design; from costumes to props. That’s the only way we can come to the end, look back, and be completely satisfied that we left it all on the stage.” With over 40 people involved, both on and off stage, the show was counted by actors as a success with help from the lead actors of senior Anna Ree and junior Leandro Haddad.

Ree and Haddad occupied the lead roles of Lilli Vanessi and Frederic Graham respectively, and excelled in bringing these characters to life. Wunderbar, an affectionate duet between Haddad and Ree, established one of the many tender moments in the show, but songs like I Hate Men, sung by Ree, and Where is the Life that Late I Led?, sung by Haddad, showed off the show’s comedic flare. Keep Reading

Kiss Me Kate, Coming Soon

Published on February 6, 2017 in Fine Arts by Kelly Roth

Kiss Me Kate theater poster.

Kiss Me Kate

The Wesleyan Wolf Players have been rehearsing since November to perfect Kiss Me Kate, a unique frame story production contrasting the 1940s with the Renaissance Era. Junior Kelsey Rappe describes the show as “a complicated, but hilarious love story that takes theater inception to a whole new level.” The Red Carpet Premiere is on Feb. 8, and the show starts at 7 p.m.

The Red Carpet Premiere creates a better overall experience for the audience and the cast members because “the actors feed off of the audience,” according to stage manager Maguire Wilder. “It’s great to kick off a show’s run feeling so loved and supported.”

Audiences can look forward to an eleven-minute dance number called “Too Darn Hot” kicking off Act 2 and two “hilarious New York gangsters” played by junior Brooks Lalley and sophomore Patterson Beaman. Fellow cast member Kelsey Rappe said, “Every scene with them leaves you in stitches,” and senior Alexis Wildermuth claims their character portrayals “alone should be enough for someone to want to see the show.”

Freshman Carson McKinney said this “wow factor” production “is like this sudden burst of chaos, classical slap-stick humor and random flash mobs that just make the audience stand up after every number.”

Junior Lauren Pavelec, sophomore Laura Von Bargen, and sophomore Jana Smith created countless elaborate costumes for each cast member from both time periods that tie the whole show together and really submerge the audience into the story.

Feb. 8 has been designated at a strict homework-free night, so come show some school spirit, have a good laugh, and support the Wolf Players next week in Wesleyan’s winter production of Kiss Me Kate.

Wolf Players Rehearse “Godspell” Revival

Published on September 29, 2016 in Fine Arts by Kelly Roth

The Wesleyan Wolf Players are proud to present the classic musical Godspell premiering Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. and closing Friday, Oct. 28.

Although the Wolf Players have performed Godspell previously in 2002 and 2009, Wesleyan has never seen this upcoming rendition. Director Steven Broyles explains that the version performed in 2009 was the original Broadway version, and the adaptation they are rehearsing now is the 2012 revival version. With rewritten music that sounds more modern, the musical is able to better resonate with adolescent audiences.

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