If you like music from “West Side Story,” “Hairspray,” “Fiddle on the Roof,” and “Spring Awakening,” you definitely will not want to miss the Staples Players production “Ages and Stages,” opening on May 26.
“‘Ages and Stages’ is essentially a bunch of different numbers and scenes from all different shows that were specifically picked to cover all different ‘Ages and Stages’ of life,” Assistant Director Gwen Beal ’12 said.
The show begins with two babies in a hospital and ends with a couple having their own baby, with comedic scenes and numbers about being a child, a teenager, and a young adult in between.
With help from co-director Kerry Long and Choir Director Justin Miller, Director David Roth organized and put together the entire show by choosing the best possible songs and scenes to tell a story of growing up.
“It really was a process,” Roth said.
Roth was inspired to put “Ages and Stages” together, by the show put on two years ago for the Players 50th anniversary. For this event, students performed a selection of numbers from throughout Players history.
“I thought it would be a great way to feature so many students,” Roth said.
Because the show has so many numbers, the cast of 40 has run into a few challenges.
“One of the more challenging aspects of putting up a show like this is that the entire cast is not going to be together as one group until a couple weeks before the show opens,” Max Samuels ’11 said.
Lexi Paul ’12 also explains how it is tough for the cast to learn these very complex numbers and scenes in such a short amount of time.
Luckily, the cast is receiving professional help from Staples alumni Bradley Jones, who was an original cast member of “A Chorus Line.”
Jones will teach the cast the choreography for the number “Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen,” from “A Chorus Line.”
Adding to the shows listed above, “Ages and Stages” will also include numbers from “Avenue Q,” “Thirteen,” and “Dream Girls.” In addition, Miller has formed a barbershop quartet, which will perform songs from “The Music Man.”
“There really is no limit to what songs we will sing. It’s all different types,” Roth said.
Roth says there are a lot of people featured in the show with many of solos, so a lot of students have their chance to shine. He also said the show will be a great way to see the senior performers before they graduate, and the students seem to agree.
“There’s so much that this show offers and I think that is why the audience is going to love it,” Samuels said.
Beal also agrees that the audience will enjoy the show.
“People should see this show because it is relatable and it appeals to a big audience since it covers all stages of life.” Beal said.
“Ages and Stages” will be performed in the Black Box on May 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m., and May 28 at 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. Staples Players will be donating money received from two of the performances to Save the Children for Japan relief.
