School of Theatre Arts Presents "The Life"
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The School of Theatre Arts presents The Life in the Jerome Mirza Theatre, with evening shows Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019 through Saturday, Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m., plus an afternoon performance on Sunday, Nov. 24 at 2 p.m.
The Life is a musical –– intended for mature audiences –– which takes a gritty, dark, and vibrant look at the inhabitants of 1980’s Time Square. The Life features emotionally revealing songs, with a jazz and pop-inflected score, and realistically conflicted characters. Trapped in a location and situations most would avoid at all costs, Fleetwood, Memphis, Jojo, Sonja, Queen, Mary, and Lou struggle to survive and maybe, to get out.
Illinois Wesleyan’s production of The Life is directed by Associate Professor of Theatre Arts Scott Susong, with music direction by Instructor and Music Coordinator Charlie Berggren ’10. Ian Coulter-Buford ’12 co-choreographed IWU’s production along with Adjunct Instructor Jessica Riss-Waltrip. Theatre arts major Madisen Debord ’20 serves as the stage manager.
The primary cast includes music theatre majors Matthew Fecko ’21 as Fleetwood, Carson Grey ’20 as Memphis, Braden Tanner ’20 as Jojo, Kira Rangel ’20 as Sonja, Catherine Groth ’20 as Queen, Kaitlin Feely ’20 as Mary and Jim Conklin ’20 as Lou.
The play’s female ensemble includes music theatre majors Maya McGowan ’20, Alexis Jones ’22, Zoey Mendoza ’22, Olivia Herlein ’22, Emily Strub ’20 and Erika Harper ’22, as well as vocalists Cheron Whittley ’21 and Megan Boggs ’22. The male ensemble includes music theatre majors Andy Jump ’21, Deonta Mitchell ’22, Stefano Egleston ’20, Trey Ehrhart ’21, Jared Garner ’21, Michael McNeela ’22 and Chris Woodley ’20.
Tickets are available for purchase beginning Monday, Nov. 11 at the Jerome Mirza Theatre Box Office located at 2 Ames Plaza East in Bloomington, or by calling the box office at (309) 556-3232.
The box office is open Monday through Friday 12:30 to 5 p.m. General admission is $12 on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, and $14 on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $2 for students with a valid I.D., and seniors receive $1 off. This is a show intended for mature audiences due to its language and themes.
The Life is Presented by arrangement with Tams-Witmark www.tamswitmark.com. Music is by Cy Coleman, lyrics are by Ira Gasman, dance and vocal arrangements are by Coleman, and the original book is by David Newman, Gasman and Coleman.
By Megan Baker ’21