OLRC musical presents a taste of the Far East
The Old Lyric Repertory Company (OLRC) announces the opening of the second production of the season, “Song of Singapore,” with book by Alan Katz and lyrics and book by Erik Frandsen, Robert Hipkens, Michael Garin and Paula Lockheart. The production opens at the Caine Lyric Theatre in downtown Logan (28 W. Center St.) June 24 at 8 p.m. and will run in repertory through Aug. 7.
“Song of Singapore” welcomes back popular OLRC alumni Lego Louis and Lee Daily as part of a singing quartet at “Freddy’s Song of Singapore Café.” The musical takes place in early December 1941 – enemy troops are massing on the border, a customer has been murdered and priceless jewels are missing. The Malayan Melody Makers are the house band at Freddy’s, a seedy waterfront dive. And they want to get off of this island, but to do so they’ll have to outwit a corrupt police officer, discover an amnesiac’s past and sedate a pilot and steal his plane. Confusing? This musical romp with Far East flare has it all.
“Song of Singapore” welcomes first-time OLRC director Jon Cranney, who has a long and distinguished career as a director, most notably associated with the Guthrie Theatre in Minnesota. He’s excited to join the Lyric this season and said, “I always look forward to the challenge of creating a work on a stage with people who are new to me, especially when the project is as intriguing and unique as ‘The Song of Singapore.'”
Musical direction is by long-time OLRC veteran Edythe Wagstaff, who also portrays the role of Freddy.
The cast of “Song of Singapore” includes OLRC veterans, alums and a few newcomers. Louis returns to the Caine Lyric stage as Spike, a Brooklynite; Daily, seen in last year’s “Forever Plaid,” as Hans; Wagstaff, last seen at the OLRC in “Nunsense,” as the club’s owner, Freddy; and Tracy Hill as an amnesiac named Rose.
Louis enters this season with 23 years of theatre experience on stage and screen, including numerous productions of “The King and I,” “ER” and “The Profiler.” Hill, another OLRC veteran, is back this season portraying Rose. Hill’s earlier roles for the OLRC include Suzy Hendrix in “Wait Until Dark” and Philia in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”
Rounding out the cast are Phil R. Lowe as Superintendent Kurland and Chrislynn Call as Chai Li.
The director said this show will be enjoyed by all.
“It is wonderful that the community of northern Utah has such great theatrical offerings,” Cranney said. “It is testament to the vitality and the intellectual life of the community that it supports such fine and varied offerings.”
“Song of Singapore” is the OLRC’s second production of the summer and the only musical of the season. Watch for the three other productions throughout the season – “Moon Over Buffalo,” “Enchanted April” and “The Hollow.”
Tickets for the 2004 OLRC season are currently available, including the OLRC’s Flex-Pass option. A Flex-Pass Season Subscription includes four coupons to any evening performance of choice (subject to ticket availability). “With this option patrons can see what they want, when they want, or see all five shows at great savings,” OLRC officials said.
There is also a matinee Flex-Pass option for even more savings. Special pricing includes two-for-one pricing on Tuesday and Wednesday performances and a special student rush each night with tickets one-half off 15-minutes prior to curtain for those with student ID. Pricing and ticket information are available by calling (435) 797-0305, or visit the company’s Web site at www.usu.edu/lyric. Patrons may also purchase tickets at the Smith Spectrum ticket office on the Utah State campus (7600 Old Main Hill, Logan).
For a 2004 OLRC brochure, call (435) 797-3046, or for general inquiries call (435) 797-1500. The season also offers special promotions, contests and exclusive deals found on the Web at www.usu.edu/lyric.
The complete OLRC schedule follows. Curtain time for evening performances is 8 p.m., and 2 p.m. for matinee performances.
“Moon over Buffalo”: June 17, 18, 19; July 1, 3 (matinee and evening), 21, 28; Aug. 6.
“Song of Singapore”: June 24, 25, 26 (matinee and evening); July 2, 22, 30; Aug. 4, 7 (matinee and evening).
“Enchanted April”: July 8, 9, 10 (matinee and evening), 23, 31 (matinee and evening).
“The Hollow”: July 15, 16, 17 (matinee and evening), 24, 27, 29; Aug. 5.
The OLRC is supported by grants from the Balleine Supporting Organization, Marie Eccles Caine Foundation, George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation, Emma Eccles Jones Foundation, Utah Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, the Cache-Rich Tourist Council, Cache County, Anne Kennedy Roskelley Memorial Endowment, Dr. Ezekial R. and Edna Wattis Dumke Endowment, the Utah Arts Council-Old Lyric Repertory Company Matching Endowment Fund and Utah State University.
The 2004 OLRC sponsors are Caffe Ibis, Great Harvest Bread, Serendipity Beauty Salon, the Ellen Eccles Theatre, STARR 102.7 FM, KJQ FM, Ogden Raptors Professional Baseball Club and the Salt Lake Stingers Professional Baseball Club.
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