We’re excited to kick off the 2^nd Annual Summer Theater Fest in St. Charles with five singers, one baby grand piano, and more than 30 songs as they bring Chicago’s critic-acclaimed and Jeff-Nominated Theo Ubique production of Some Enchanted Evening: The Songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein on the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage now thru July 22, 2012.  One of those singers is St. Charles’ very own Danielle Floyd. 

Danielle Floyd with Chadley Ballantyne (left) and Matt McNabb.

Q. Having grown up in St. Charles, you certainly aren’t a stranger to the local theater scene. What is it like to be back in St. Charles, and to be making your Mainstage debut here at Fox Valley Rep with Theo Ubique?

 It’s sort of surreal being able to make my debut in my home town, especially with such prestigious companies. I actually saw my first show EVER at the Pheasant Run when I was too small to count; it was “My Fair Lady”. I remember telling myself, even then, that I was going to be up on that stage some day. I can’t believe that I actually am.

Q. Tell us a little about your role in this show?

Each of us are playing roles that sum up the “types” in theatre. I would say that I’m the sultry young character actor who is very eager to work and impress.  [You can watch a preview of her performance here!]

Q. At Fox Valley Rep, we try to bring intimate performances to our stage that makes our patrons laugh, reflect and reconnect to moments in their own lives.  Do you have a favorite Rodgers & Hammerstein song or musical, or one that makes you reflect on your own memories?

 To be honest, I have a favorite song or two from every show. It’s so hard not to be moved by any one piece that this dynamic duo has written. I will say though the song that struck the strongest chord would have to be “Something Wonderful”. To be honest, the first time I heard it in my adult life, it made me tear up. The music and lyrics combined resonate right in my heart and really make it easy to relate to. 

 Q. Congrats to the Theo Ubique team for recently winning multi-Jeff Awards this past week for their fantastic performances in Chicago.  What’s it like being a part of this award-winning cabaret theatre company?

It’s an overwhelming feeling of pride and joy. When I first heard about their wins, I got up out of my chair and bolted around my house yelling, “They won! They won!”. It came as no surprise to me at how well they did though. Everything about Theo Ubique is professional, groundbreaking, and brilliant. I consider myself extremely blessed to be working with the company and people that I am. 

I just want to say thank you to everyone who has been a part of this production. I couldn’t have asked for a better process than this one. It is the beginning of a dream come true to work with all these talented and dedicated professionals. Each day I’m not working, I feel as if I’m going through with-drawls. I couldn’t think of a better way to get my foot in the door with Chicago-land theatre. 

About Danielle Floyd:

A St. Charles native, Danielle Floyd is very proud to be making her Fox Valley Rep debut with such a wonderful production. Danielle is currently getting her BFA in Musical Theatre from the Chicago College of Performing Arts. She’s been a part of Elgin Opera and FVYT/CTE for several years. Some roles include: Aldonza (Man of La Mancha) and Fred (Once Upon A Mattress).  

(Tom Clear is the pianist in Some Enchanted Evening, the songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein, playing on the Pheasant Run mainstage through November 1st.)

This is turning out to be a very pleasant show, fun to rehearse and fun to perform. Audiences seem to like it a lot.

The five singers in the cast are such good musicians, my role is very easy. During rehearsals, we worked out things like tempo, cut-offs, and diction under the musical direction of Dr. Harold Mortimer, of Ball State University, so we have a very clear roadmap. Our performing task now is to make each song sound like it’s happening spontaneously, for the first time.

In other words, to make it new.

Cathy Lord, in the show, is excellent at this. She never “phones it in.” She engages each audience in a slightly different way, because each audience is different. Accompanying a singer like this is a delight.

I came to Chicago to play for improvisors–not jazz improvisors, but comedians. I did two shows at Second City last year and completed their Music Director program. I’m a Music Director for ComedySportz Chicago. I also accompany dance classes at Giordano Dance in Evanston.

It’s great to combine the spark of improvisation–basically, something new–with wonderful classic songs. Best of both worlds, I think.

‘Some Enchanted Evening’ tribute to Rodgers & Hammerstein

Elgin Courier News

ST. CHARLES — What do a widow who accepts a job as governess for the king of Siam, Austrian Alps and the very first American musical have in common?

All are part of the work of iconic musical duo Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.

Audiences who see Noble Fool Theatricals’ production of Some Enchanted Evening — which opens today and runs through Saturday, Nov. 1 — will see and hear a musical collage of pieces from each Rodgers and Hammerstein production. The show will be a collection of vignettes, scenes and songs from musicals including The Sound of Music, Oklahoma! and Carousel.

Andrea Prestinario (from left), Catherine Lord and David Meadows are performing in Noble Fool Theatricals’ “Some Enchanted Evening.”
Courtesy

“It is a very elegant production. It is very sophisticated, much like Rodgers and Hammerstein music,” said director Bill Jenkins.Jenkins said musicals have a way of simplifying relationships.

“In this we are trying to basically say how complexities in relationships make sense when they put it in a musical. Musicals are able to capture the essence of relationships in a way that makes them clearer,” he said.

The appeal for the show is broad.

“It is great for families. I think it is terrific for young and old alike. Anyone who has any knowledge of their work whatsoever will be brought in by Rodgers and Hammerstein. Folks who aren’t familiar will maybe get a taste of these classic pieces. Rodgers and Hammerstein are usually looked at as the fathers of contemporary musical theater,” he said.

Some actors in the show grew up on Rodgers’ music and Hammerstein’s lyrics. Others are being introduced to it.

Harold Mortimer, music director at Noble Fool Theatricals, says audiences will be able to listen to five professionally trained singers perform the entire show. The cast of five singers and a piano player have been rehearsing for weeks.

“The audience will see a show full of life and fun because that is what the rehearsal has been,” he said.

Cassandra Liveris, the actress/singer portraying the character Julie Jordan from Carousel, says there are many comedic moments in the show, such as when a mother and daughter perform an adaptation of Sixteen Going on Seventeen, which typically is performed by a boy and girl.

Liveris said she grew up watching The Sound of Music and Oklahoma! But older generations may be more familiar with the material.

“I think it will hit the heart strings of the older generation, because it is the music they grew up with. Matinee crowds have been selling out because they are bringing in groups of older viewers. It will certainly appeal to families and people my parents’ age, or to my friends. It will not be anything too crazy or avant-garde, but something that will appeal to the masses,” she said.

Liveris says the experience has stretched her as a performer.

“There are some tough music moments that were at times a little harrowing to learn. It is certainly a nice group of singing actors on stage,” she said. “All are well-versed in musical theater.”

Liveris hopes the audience will come for the emotional connection.

“Live theater is an experience all of its own, and I hope we as a society don’t ever lose that,” she said. “As technology advances, we get into films that are accessible to masses. A movie or a sporting event seems to appeal to more people because it is easier. But when you go to the theatrical performance, the audience is part of the piece. It is a much more satisfying experience if you engage in it and realize, hey, these are live people performing this. You feel the emotion of it.”

SOME ENCHANTED EVENING features the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein and a terrific cast and design team. The rehearsals have been going very well, as we all are trying to create a show that highlights the majesty and beauty of R and H. The show will feature several memorable tunes from OKLAHOMA, SOUTH PACIFIC, CINDERELLA, THE KING AND I, and CAROUSEL. As the team that brought you MUSICAL OF MUSICALS, Harold Mortimer, Bob Kiser, and myself are anxiously awaiting the opportunity to showcase these marvelous songs and our tremendous cast. It will surely make for an “enchanting evening!”

About Bill Jenkins

Bill Jenkins is the Chair of Ball State University???s Department of Theatre and Dance where he serves as an Associate Professor of Musical Theatre, Directing, and Acting. Since arriving at Ball State, he has directed The Laramie Project (which was selected as the national alternate for the KC/ACTF Competition), A Flea in Her Ear, A Little Night Music, The Philadelphia Story, Cabaret, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Orpheus in the Underworld. Mr. Jenkins also annually directs Ball State’s “New York Showcase” with NY Casting Director Stephanie Klapper.

Professor Jenkins is an active professional director whose experiences includes extensive work in Chicago with Noble Fool Theatricals (Ruthless, Musical of Musicals: The Musical, and Roasting Chestnuts), Famous Door Theatre Company (The Living, which won the Joseph Jefferson Award for Production), and work with the musical theatre group Cabarrah including the 2006 Sondheim Celebration at Millenium Park, Illinois Shakespeare Festival (Knight of the Burning Pestle and Fifteen-Minute Hamlet, among others), the Clarence Brown Theatre (VIOLET), Summer Studio Theatre Company at the Krannert Center (Last of the Red Hot Lovers, Educating Rita, Born Yesterday, This Property is Condemned, and An Unsatisfactory Supper), Nebraska Repertory Theatre (Measure for Measure), and Ball State’s professional summer company Shakespeare Under the Stars (Taming of the Shrew and Romeo and Juliet). In addition to his directorial credits, Professor Jenkins serves as the President of the Mid-America Theatre Conference (MATC) and is active as an evaluator for the acting auditions through the University/Resident Theatre Auditions (U/RTA) in Chicago.

Prior to his arrival at Ball State, Bill served as the Head of Directing at the University of North Dakota. While at UND, his production of How I Learned to Drive was the first ever production from that institution selected for performance at the Regional KC/ACTF Competition. He received his MFA in directing from Illinois State University, and also holds a Masters and Bachelors degree from Ball State University in speech communications and acting. His greatest role is that of husband to his beautiful wife, Sarah and father to his beloved golden retriever, Daisy.