Nostalgia offered in 56th season of Otterbein Summer Theatre
Otterbein Summer Theatre is to offer three nostalgic favorites during its 56th season, with each show celebrating a different decade of American popular culture.
“Our guiding principle was for this season to radiate charm, joy and a kind of vintage pizzazz” artistic director Lenny Leibowitz said.
“All three of our summer shows are blissful, high-energy heart melters,” Leibowitz said.All performances are to take place at Cowan Hall’s Fritsche Theatre, 30 S. Grove St., Westerville.
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Here is the summer lineup:
'Forever Plaid' (June 6-15)
Stuart Ross’ popular off-Broadway musical revue, set in the 1950s and previously staged at Otterbein in 2004, revolves around a young male vocal quartet that returns from limbo after a 1964 car crash to perform one last 1950s-style concert of doo-wop standards.
Among the songs: “Catch a Falling Star,” “Chain Gang,” “Cry,” “Heart and Soul,” “Magic Moments,” “Perfidia,” “Sixteen Tons” and “Three Coins in the Fountain.”
“’Forever Plaid’ is not only a nonstop musical joy ride celebrating these chart-topping hits, but also a loving, goofy retro show about second chances and gratitude for being alive,” said Leibowitz, who is to direct the production.
'It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play' (June 20-29)
The radio-style 90-minute one-act, set in 1946 at a radio studio where Hollywood actors are performing a condensed version of Frank Capra’s beloved film with varied voices and retro sound effects, focuses on a despairing young businessman guided by an angel to take a second look at his life.
“Rather than a naturalistic or literal retelling of the movie, one of the great masterpieces, this show offers the thrill of watching five young performers play dozens of roles with fresh high-energy theatricality,” Leibowitz said.
'Beehive: The '60's Musical' (July 11-20)
Six actress-singers perform Larry Gallagher’s musical revue celebrating early-1960s girl groups with big hair and bigger voices.
Among the hits, backed by a six-member band: “Be My Baby,” “It’s My Party,” “Me and Bobby McGee,” “My Boyfriend's Back,” “Proud Mary,” “Son of a Preacher Man” and “You Don’t Own Me.”
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“It’s a tribute to the actual singers of that time,” said Leibowitz, who is to direct the production.
“The show charts the coming of age of the music and girl groups of the 1960s, with the songs very much a lens viewing that decade’s popular culture,” he said.
At a glance
New this season, all evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays with matinees at 2 p.m. Sundays and some Saturdays.
Season tickets cost $90. Single tickets cost $33, or $28 for “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
For more information, call 614-823-1109 or visit otterbein.edu/summertheatre.
@mgrossberg1
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: A celebration of three different decades at Otterbein Summer Theatre
