TheatreWorks of Southern Indiana (located in New Albany) is coming back to the stage after taking a super long hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, pandemonium, ponderosa, whatever it is at this point. Were all tired, but what were not tired of is our favorite events and event spaces coming back to life.
TheatreWorks will have a short season of two musicals, but both are worth catching.
The opening musical is “Big Fish”-based and TheatreWorks description describes it as a: Broadway musical based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed film by Tim Burton. ‘Big Fish’ tells the story of Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest. Edwards incredible, larger-than-life stories thrill everyone around him most of all, his devoted wife Sandra. However, their son Will, about to have a child of his own, is determined to find the truth behind his fathers epic tales.
“Big Fish” will run in April.
The second, “Ragtime the Musical,” is a sweeping musical portrait of early-twentieth-century America is based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow tells the story of three families in the pursuit of the American Dream. The Tony-winning score by Ahrens and Flaherty is just as diverse as the melting pot of America itself. It draws upon many musical styles, from the ragtime rhythms of Harlem and Tin Pan Alley to the klezmer of the Lower East Side, from bold brass band marches to delicate waltzes, from up-tempo banjo tunes to period parlor songs and expansive anthems. ‘Ragtime’ is truly a unique and powerful portrait of America. Ragtime will run in September.
TheatreWorks is the brainchild of Artistic Director Chris Bundy and Executive Director Jason Roseberry. Hannegan Roseberry, married to Jason Roseberry, is a board member and active part of the works presented at the theatre. LEO spoke with Hannegan Roseberry briefly via Facebook Messenger about the upcoming season.
LEO: TheatreWorks has been closed for a while now. Was this completely due to COVID? Hannegan Roseberry: We stayed shut down 100% due to COVID. We remained that way until we felt there were ways to start to move forward safely.
What COVID precautions are you taking? Were requiring all performers and technicians to be vaxxed and boosted and were wearing masks throughout rehearsals and anytime an actor is offstage. Were requiring our audiences to be vaxxed and masked and were limiting audience seating capacity.
What plays are you doing this season? We just announced our season last night [now two nights ago]. Were doing ‘Big Fish’ in April and were partnering with Faithworks to present ‘Ragtime’ in September. Were very excited!
What else is new for TheatreWorks? Were debuting our second performance space with ‘Big Fish’! The upstairs ballroom has been outfitted as a second performance space. Jason is excited to show that off.
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This article appears in February 2, 2022.
