Even Stephen,” Northwestern’s second musical in its summer series, is more than just a tribute to composers Stephen Schwartz and Stephen Flaherty — it’s a sleek show that smoothly integrates numbers from 16 Broadway musicals and animated features.
The revue, presented by the theatre department and the Theatre and Interpretation Center, runs July 30 to Aug. 15 in the Barber Theatre.
Director Dominic Missimi said he decided to base the musical revue on the two Stephens’ work partly because they are two of his favorite composers of popular musical theatre.
The individual songs were selected not only by Missimi’s personal preference, but also by which are familiar hits. In addition, certain songs need certain types of voices, so Missimi had to look to his students.
“‘Ragtime’ is one of my favorite musicals of all time,” said Missimi, an NU theatre professor. But he also said he picked the show because performers Kim Palter and Matt Pearson could sing the parts.
Ryan Nelson, assistant professor of musical performance studies, and 2004 graduate Michael Mahler did all the arrangements for “Even Stephen”.
Because many of the students in “Even Stephen” also were in the other TI summer musical, “Falsettos,” which closed July 25, planning far in advance was difficult. Vocal arrangements were completed 3 weeks ago and orchestral arrangements are done week by week.
Choreography was assembled by Communication junior Antonette Balestreri, who also performs in the show. She said the fast-paced work schedule taught her about musical theater.
“I learned how fast we can throw together a show,” she said.
Balestreri, who also has choreographed for the Waa-Mu Show and last summer’s “Pop-sicle,” said she enjoyed researching the works of Schwartz and Flaherty.
Balestreri said because Schwartz and Flaherty wrote a variety of music, she worked hard to reflect their genre changes in her choreography. From Fosse-inspired dance movements in “On the Right Track” from “Pippin” to the Caribbean-themed “Ain’t it Good” from “Children of Eden,” Balestreri’s choreography mirrors these shifts in the musical selections.
“(This revue) gave me an appreciation for Schwartz and Flaherty and the breadth and diversity of their work,” Balestreri said.
Missimi said he came up with the idea for the original revue last year when Flaherty’s “A Long Gay Book” world-premiered at NU. Missimi said he presented the idea of a musical revue that would include his compositions to Flaherty, who was open to the idea.
Missimi also said he hoped the shows he picked this summer for the TI program will appeal to younger viewers. Although he said he appreciates the Evanston-area senior citizens who fill the seats, he wishes more students would attend.
“I picked these shows trying to look for a young audience,” Missimi said.
Scene Reporter Corrie Driebusch is a Medill sophomore. She can be reached at [email protected].
Even Stephen
Where: Barber Theater, Theatre and Interpretation Center
When: 8 p.m. July 30, 31 and Aug. 6, 7 12-14; 2 p.m. Aug. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15
How much: $25, $22 seniors, $12 students
