Director Bill Gillett and musical director Drew Wutke found a wonderful solution for several very talented, theatre students — some still in high school and others from HCC and nearby colleges. These gifted artists have been unable to perform during the pandemic and needed an outlet for their theatrical desires. The two men created “A Musical!” — a short but satisfying musical review that has a hint of a story by threading together songs from notable shows.
As the students Zoom with each other, they discuss their frustrations, longings, and even their insights that have come about due to their being isolated by the pandemic.
Watching all these young and gifted people sing about their joys, sorrows, pain, and optimism will leave you sensing that somehow, we are really getting through all this — and how much life we still have to live now that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Catch it before it’s gone.
The virtual show opens with “Time and Music” from “A New Brain” (music and lyrics by William Finn), that includes the whole ensemble. Then Olivia (Molly Snyder), Phoebe (Kayla Hendershot) and Alayna (Madeline Kline) sing about what they have been missing the last year with “Being Alive” from “Company,” (music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim) blended with ” Miss the Mountains”’ from “Normal” (lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt).
Eleanor (Sarah Patrick) and Michael (Dylan Buchwald) dream of the days coming soon when they will be going off to college again in “Times are Hard for Dreamers”from “Amélie” (music by Daniel Messé and lyrics by Messé and Nathan Tysen).
A particularly spunky number, “Let’s Be Bad” from the TV show “Smash” (music and lyrics by Julie Rottenberg and Elisa Zuritsky), has the female performers dressing up just to feel like they are doing something special.
“Falling Slowly” from “Once” (music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová) has Buchwald, Hendershot, and Emma (Isabel Berry) singing wistfully of dreams of romance. While Zoey (Summer Pearson) and Pearson look at some of the benefits of being so isolated. Pearson beautifully croons “The Beauty Is” from “Light on the Piazza” (music and lyrics by Adam Guettel). Snyder tells us how she has developed cooking skill with “What Baking Can Do” from “Waitress,” written by Sara Bareilles.
A medley performed by the ensemble — “When I Grow Up” by Tim Minchin from “Matilda the Musical” and “When Will My Life Begin” by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater from the movie “Tangled” — helps portray the boredom that has set in during this horrible time, especially for the young waiting patiently to continue with their lives.
In a song of support for his fellow thespians, O’Neal (Marcus Campbell) sings “I’ll Be Here” from “Wild Party” (music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa). He is joined by Marilyn (Hashini Amarasinghe), Patrick, and Buchwald in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Story of Tonight” from “Hamilton” as they imagine their refound freedom from the lockdown.
As the troupe finds acceptance for their present situation and looks to the future, they all sing “For Now” from “Avenue Q” (music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx).
Watching all these young and gifted people sing about their joys, sorrows, pain, and optimism will leave you sensing that somehow, we are really getting through all this — and how much life we still have to live now that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Catch it before it’s gone.
A nod of appreciation goes to video editors, Colette Krogel and Matt Reeves; audio engineer, Austin Sapp; stage manager, Olivia Graham; and production manager, Seth Schwartz — as well as to all the cast members who filmed and taped themselves.
Running Time: One hour with no intermission.
“A Musical!” runs virtually through June 20, 2021 and is presented by Howard Community College’s Theatre Program. Admission is free. To register for a ticket, go to this link. If you can contribute to the HCC Student Theatre Department, donations can be made when ordering a ticket or donated directly. For more information about the show and the program at HCC, go to this link.
