Creating a theatrical production from scratch is a journey filled with creativity, challenges, and immense satisfaction. For me, the process of assembling a show has been an exhilarating experience. It’s been fun putting it together, and every step has been a testament to the collaborative spirit of theater.
The foundation of my narrative began with the discovery of numerous rich musical pieces. These songs provided the building blocks for my story. Naming the characters was straightforward, as I borrowed names from the original productions that inspired the songs. This allowed me to seamlessly integrate these characters into my newly crafted narrative.
At the heart of my story are two leading female characters: Margo, a mature yet insecure star, and Eve, a seemingly sincere young production assistant. These characters were inspired by the iconic figures from “All About Eve.” Casting these roles was surprisingly easy. For Margo, I chose my sister, Dell Goodrich, known for her role in “Stand By Your Man.” For Eve, Mary Joy Williams, who shone in “Nice Work if You Can Get It,” was the perfect fit.
Other characters in my story include a playwriting couple, inspired by various theatrical works. Megan Douthitt, known for “Mary Poppins,” and Corey Langley from “The Addams Family” were ideal for these roles. The director of the “show within a show” and Margo’s love interest, Mack Sanders, was inspired by characters from “All About Eve” and “Mack & Mabel.” Bill LaLima, with his warmth and humor, was the perfect choice for this role.
One of the most intriguing characters is the witty and acerbic critic, influenced by characters from “Curtains,” “The Magic Show,” and “All About Eve.” Bob Blencowe, known for “Spamalot,” brought this character to life with his sharp wit.
With these main characters in place, I could develop my narrative further. However, I needed additional characters to complete the ensemble. For the beautiful solo “Lion Tamer” from “The Magic Show,” I chose Robin Saviola, a newcomer to the Town. Her character, Cal, was inspired by characters from “42nd Street” and “All About Eve.”
For the title song from “Applause,” Allison Allgood, known for “Sugar,” was a natural choice. Her character, named Allison, became a combination of characters from “Applause” and “Seesaw.” Anthony Matrejek, from “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” was perfect for the big dance number “It’s Not Where You Start” from “Seesaw.” His character, David, was inspired by roles from “Applause” and “Seesaw.”
Samantha Livoti was selected to play the tap-dancing bartender, Phoebe, a character inspired by a minor role from “All About Eve.” Kathy Hartzog, known for “Driving Miss Daisy,” portrayed Belle, the leading lady’s mother, who brings a dose of reality to her daughter, Margo.
The remaining cast members included Nate Stern as Christopher, Emily Northrop as Cathy, and Josh Kern as Jerry. Lisa Akly, Tracy Davenport, and Rachel Rizzuti played Broadway performers Wanda, Angela, and Jill, respectively. Rebecca Goodrich Seezen and Jennifer Davis brought to life the roles of Donna and Dina, two Broadway singers and dancers. William Ellis, Jalil Bonds, and John Dixon joined as ensemble members Herbie, Brick, and Oscar. Town veterans Kristy O’Keefe, Emily Clelland, Roxanne Livingston, and my cousin Agnes Babb took the stage as featured dancers Arlene, Bambi, Nicki, and Marjorie.
Assembling this cast and crew has been a labor of love. It’s been fun putting it together, and every moment has been a testament to the dedication and talent of everyone involved. The process of creating this show has been a journey of discovery, creativity, and collaboration.
From selecting the perfect songs to casting the right actors, every step has been a thrilling adventure. The characters have come to life in ways I could never have imagined, and the story has taken shape beautifully. It’s been fun putting it together, and I can’t wait to see it all come to life on stage.
The excitement of seeing the characters interact, the songs being performed, and the story unfolding has been incredibly rewarding. It’s been fun putting it together, and I look forward to sharing this creation with the audience. The journey of creating this show has been filled with joy, creativity, and a sense of accomplishment. It’s been fun putting it together, and I can’t wait to see the final product on stage.
