THE ROAD TO QATAR! ORIGINAL CAST ALBUM WILL BE RECORDED FOR JAY RECORDS ON MARCH 7, AND WILL BE RELEASED THIS SUMMER!
BEAMAN WILL NEXT APPEAR IN A CONCERT STAGING OF THE WORLD WAR I ERA BRITISH MUSICAL, THEODORE AND COMPANY , WITH MUSICALS TONIGHT! AT THE MCGINN/CASALE THEATRE IN NEW YORK CITY, MARCH 15 THROUGH 27.
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Every blessed one of you feels better for that burst of laughter.
~Ivor Novello
The day after I complete my run with The Road to Qatar!--a completely brand-spanking-new show--I will start rehearsals for a concert staging of a very old and now forgotten musical comedy called Theodore and Company. The organization responsible for reviving this obscure British operetta is Musicals Tonight, an Obie Award winning company that is dedicated to bringing to life "neglected" musicals at affordable ticket prices. Now in their 13th year, Musicals Tonight has revived over 50 musicals in a manner similar to the Musicals in Mufti series at the York Theatre Company.
I am intrigued and excited about exploring this English musical, which was something of a hit in London in 1916, during the Great War. It ran over 500 performances, alongside such popular frothy offerings as Chu Chin Chow (theatre queens will recall Auntie Mame and Vera Charles reminiscing about their time in the chorus of that show!), at a time when audiences were hungry for escapist entertainment.
The music was written by Ivor Novello, a British stage and film actor who was sort of a precursor to the actor/writer/raconteur Noel Coward. Novello wrote the show in collaboration with a young Jerome Kern, who made his London debut with this piece. Theodore and Company is a rather naughty little jaunt concerning the indiscretions of the upper crust of British society. I will be playing the role of the Right Honorable George Wye, the 'Minister of Movies,' who is a bit of a philanderer, trying to use his position to bed attractive society wives.
Unfamiliar with the works of Ivor Novello, I did a little research and was tickled to find out that Jeremy Northam portrayed Novello in the film "Gosford Park", and recorded a few of his songs for the soundtrack--including one from Theodore and Company entitled, "What a Duke Should Be." You can hear this fun little song here. This ditty epitomizes the witty lyrics and jaunty style of the period. So, I am looking forward to this fun project! Updates and more information to come.
This sounds "awesome!" I might just come into the city to see this as my birthday treat to myself!! Glad you have this unique opportunity to jump into with Qatar closing. xo
ReplyDeleteCame across your blog on a google search for Ivor Novello - I'm thrilled that Theodore and Co is being put on! Novello's work is painfully underused these days. Very best of luck!
ReplyDeleteRachel
Hi! Being on the wrong side of the Pond, I'm sadly unable to come along and see your work, though I woulsd dearly love to. I run a blog about Jeremy Northam, and recently interviewed David Slattery-Christy who is an expert on Novello (and has written an excellent book about him). David was the official Novello consultant on Gosford Park. He has his own great website with lots of information about Ivor Novello. The link to David's website can be found in my article here, if anyone is interested: http://jeremynorthamfanblog.wordpress.com/2011/01/20/memories-of-gosford-park-from-the-ivor-novello-consultant-david-slattery-christy/
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