Caine Lyric Theatre becomes Route 66
GET YOUR KICKS ON ROUTE 66 … AT THE CAINE LYRIC
The Old Lyric Repertory Company in Logan opens its second production, the musical revue “Route 66” by Roger Bean, Thursday, June 22. The production continues Friday, June 23, and Saturday, June 24.
The OLRC hits the road with “Route 66,” the second of its four season productions. The title song by Bobby Troup summarizes well the OLRC’s production – “Now if you ever plan to motor west, travel my way, take the highway, that’s the best. Get your kicks on Route 66.”
“‘Route 66’ is a fast-paced, fun ride through America’s heartland,” said Kris Bushman, “Route 66” director and the OLRC company manager. “The OLRC’s production features familiar music, a visually unique set and a quartet of energetic men, all taking the audience on a nostalgic trip back to the days before interstates bypassed small towns and when gas was affordable.”
“Route 66” honors the name of the 2,448-mile roadway from Chicago to Los Angeles. Built in the 1920s, Route 66 became the route that America traveled west to see the country.
The musical review was written in 2001 by Roger Bean to celebrate the historic roadway. The show’s author may be remembered in Utah – he was a director and choreographer for Utah Musical Theatre in Ogden, and his work has been seen at the Utah Shakespearean Festival in Cedar City. He has written 10 musicals commissioned by the Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
“Route 66” follows four friends as they sing and dance their way across the country to familiar ’50s and ’60s songs by the Beach Boys, Willie Nelson, Woody Guthrie and many others. Period commercials and jingles fill the gaps between songs. Also, as a musical revue, there is little written dialogue and the company is given the freedom to personalize the dialogue to the area.
“‘Route 66’ is just fun,” said Richie Call, one of the OLRC performers. “The show has memorable songs about the route, the places and the time surrounding the height of Route 66.”
The stage scenery, like the original route, has a distinct flair and is one of the highlights of the production. Oversized dice, mile-markers and stretches of road bring the audience back to the 1950s.
“The play is a stroll through Americana,” said Shawn Fisher, set designer for “Route 66.” “We put on the stage a nostalgic feel of the ’50s and a sense of what is was like along the highway as you passed through big cities and small towns.”
Fisher’s use of Route 66 paraphernalia encourages the audience to think about the geography and all that made Route 66 unique.
“Route 66 is full of things that catch your attention along the way,” said Fisher. “The set includes a few select items that capture the essence of Route 66. It’s basically a history lesson on wheels.”
The OLRC production of “Route 66” opens June 22 and runs through Aug. 2 in repertory as part of the OLRC’s 40th anniversary season. Tickets are available at the theatre box office at 28 West Center St. in Logan or by calling 435-752-1500. Box office hours of operation are Monday through Saturday, noon to 8 p.m. Ticket prices range from $8 to $18.
The OLRC invites patrons to hop in for a trip down the historic highway and “get your kicks on Route 66.”
The Old Lyric Repertory Company was founded by Vosco Call in 1967 to be a professional company as well as a training ground for advanced theatre students. Located in Logan, Utah, the OLRC is one of the last theatre companies in the West to offer a season in rolling repertory. The company is based in the department of theatre at Utah State University.
The OLRC is supported by grants and gifts from the Marie Eccles Caine Foundation, the George S. and Delores Dore Eccles Foundation, the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences at USU, the Cache County Restaurant/RAPZ Tax, the Utah Arts Council and the Bridgerland Travel Council.
The next production in the OLRC season is “Postmortem,” opening Thursday, July 6.
Season Performance Schedule: evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday matinees begin at 2 p.m.
“Noises Off:” Thursday, June 15; Friday, June 16; Saturday, June 17 (matinee and evening); Thursday, June 29; Saturday, July 1 (matinee and evening); Thursday, July 20; Friday, July 28; Friday, Aug. 4.
“Route 66:” Thursday, June 22; Friday, June 23; Saturday, June 24 (matinee and evening); Friday, June 30; Saturday, July 22 (matinee and evening); Thursday, July 27; Wednesday, Aug. 2.
“Postmortem:” Thursday, July 6; Friday, July 7; Saturday, July 8 (matinee and evening); Friday, July 21; Saturday, July 29 (matinee and evening); Thursday, Aug. 3.
“Relative Values:” Thursday, July 13; Friday, July 14; Saturday, July 15 (matinee and evening); Wednesday, July 19; Wednesday, July 26; Saturday, Aug. 5 (matinee and evening).