First Rehearsal!

The first rehearsal, which was really exciting, went from 7PM-10PM and was held in Studio 1, one of the dance studios in Dillingham. It started out with introductions from everyone. This included name and position/character of the production crew, cast and front-of-house staff, or TAMs (Theater Arts Management majors). Stage Manager, Britney Smallwood, organized and ran the meeting, keeping track of time and the agenda.

The set, costume, and lighting designers gave brief, overview descriptions of their ideas for their designs for the show in order for the cast, as well as everyone, to see and get an understanding of what will be happening around them on stage. Jim and I, the two dramaturgs, gave a detailed background of the novel. I talked about Alexandre Dumas and the sources he used for inspiration to write the novel. Jim went into great detail for everyone about the geography and historical/political context of the novel according to how it relates to the characters and the different societies within the show (Marseilles, Paris and Rome).

The last hour was saved for the cast to learn music. Joel began with probably the hardest ensemble song in the show, "Carnival". This opens Scene ii of Act II. The cast did well in learning this difficult song quickly!

Show Dates!

Tuesday, April 24th, 2007 - 8PM - PREVIEW

Thursday, April 26th, 2007 - 8PM - OPENING NIGHT!
(Opening Night Reception after the show!)

Friday, April 27th, 2007 - 8PM

Saturday, April 28th, 2007 - 2PM and 8PM

Sunday, April 29th, 2007 - 2PM

A list in progress of those involved in the design/production of the show! Any additions I missed?

Brett Boles - Writer/Lyricist/Composer
Susannah Berryman - Director
Gail Belokur - Assistant Director
Mary Corsaro - Choreographer
Lauren Brooke Shusterman - Assistant to the Choreographer
Joel Gelpe - Musical Director
Amy Radics - Rehearsal Accompanist
Don Tindall - Sound Designer
Tina Grant - Sound Mixer
Colin Stewart - Technical Director
Andrea Stewart - Assistant Technical Director
Matt Farrow - Technical Supervisor
Steve TenEyck - Scenic Designer
Kelly Syring - Assistant Scenic Designer
Kelly McCaffery - Scenic Charge
Binky Donley - Prop/Paint Mentor
Greg Robbins - Costume Designer
Lilly Westbrook - Costume Shop Manager
Sara Levine - Wardrobe Supervisor
Adam Frank - Lighting Designer
Jeff Strange - Lighting Supervisor
Jim Utz - Dramaturg
Gina Randall - Dramaturg
Britney Smallwood - Stage Manager
Hannah Dorfman - Assistant Stage Manager
Laurel Smith - Assistant Stage Manager
Sara Cleary - Production Liason
Mary Scheidegger - Stage Management Mentor
Casey Mateson - Fight Choreographer

The first step to the workshop process!

The start of the workshop process included smaller meetings consisting of Brett Boles (Creator or lyricist/composer), Susannah Berryman (Director), Gail Belokur (Assistant Director), Mary Corsaro (Choreographer), Joel Gelpe (Musical Director), Jim Utz (Dramaturg), and me, Gina Randall (Dramaturg). These meetings, of which we had about three, consisted of a full read-through of the most updated script and score at the time. Each person randomly chose a character to read for and Brett played the piano and sang all the songs as we came to them in the script. This was mainly to get a feel for how the musical will flow as well as being an opportunity for anyone's suggestions for changes.

The First Clip!

Click on the link to view a clip of the final callbacks for The Count of Monte Cristo!

http://webdev.ithaca.edu/baker/mCristo/source/callbacksp.htm

The Play Logo

Welcome!

The Ithaca College Theatre department is workshopping and producing a musical of The Count of Monte Cristo, based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas. The new musical was written and composed by Brett Boles, a senior composition major at IC. Check back here for updates as the production progresses!