Morality Play Unveiled at Westminster
March 18, 2008 - 4th Wall Musical Theatre, the professional theatre company in residence at Westminster Arts Center, continues its 2007-2008 season as one of the state’s most cutting edge musical theatre companies with Philemon, written by Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones, the duo behind hits such as "I Do, I Do, 110 in the Shade and The Fantasticks". This chamber musical is being presented as part of 4th Wall’s Off the Wall series; a series dedicated to taking 4th Wall’s mission of producing lesser known works to a new level. Executive Director, Gwen Ricks-Spencer says "Off the Wall showcases lesser known works of well- known writers as well as plays which were later turned into musicals. These are pieces that may not fit as one of our main-stage shows, but that we feel audiences should get a chance to witness and appreciate." 4th Wall will present Philemon without intermission in a concert version.
Bloomfield College’s very own Rev. Todd Shumpert is a part of this strong, small ensemble cast that also includes Will Lampe, Kathy Biehl, Marisa Cucuzza, Tracy Espiritu, Greg Hedler, and Charles Riley. Bruce McCandless, directs, while Deborah Martin serves as musical director. Greg Allen is the Production Manager and Martha Thalheimer is the Stage Manager.
Philemon is as much a morality play as it is a chamber musical. Set in the Roman city of Antioch, Philemon, traces the life of a street clown, Cockian, who allows himself to be hired by a Roman commander to impersonate an imprisoned religious leader. Hired to betray secrets of this underground revolution, Cockian is faced with the realities that everything in life is not black or white and sometimes, we have to take a stand. This lost masterpiece uses religion from ancient times to tell a story that could be ripped from the headlines of today; Serbia. Darfur. Rwanda. Afghanistan. Ethnic cleansing is still very real in some parts of the world just as it was back when the Romans were trying to rid the world of Christians or Nazi Germany tried to eliminate its Jewish population.
These are topics one would not normally think to find in a musical, which is why 4th Wall is excited this piece has been un-vaulted by the creative team. Deborah Martin, one of the founding artistic directors of 4th Wall, brought this musical to the attention of the Board. "Debbie has wanted to do this show ever since she helped form the group over ten years ago," says McCandless. "I'm very drawn to the underlying story that Philemon is telling and thrilled it is our first Off The Wall piece."
Philemon runs for two nights only, Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are only $10 ($4 for BC students) and can be reserved by calling 973-748-9008 ext 279. More info at www.4thwalltheatre.org
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