09/24/2024
The SUNY Cortland Performing Arts Department’s 2024-25 season will launch with an original Shakespearean debut, “By Any Other Name,” that promises to rock harder than normal Broadway shows.
Or as the legend himself might say: by any other name, this new show would sound as sweet.
The production was described by director Kevin Halpin, professor in the Performing Arts Department, as a fun, fast-paced journey with some of William Shakespeare’s best loved heroines and the three witches from “MacBeth.”
Through the power of its performances and catchy pop-rock score, Halpin expects audiences to leave with smiles on their faces and a new outlook on the power of women in society.
“It asks the question, ‘What if these young women had the chance to question their destiny and choose their own paths?’” he said. “What ensues is a funny, touching and inspiring romp through the woods, touching on themes of self-worth, sacrifice, gender inequity and identity and the power of friendship.”
There will be 7:30 p.m. performances in the Dowd Fine Arts Center Theatre on Thursday, Oct. 3, Friday, Oct. 4 and Saturday, Oct. 5, with an earlier matinee at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6. Tickets are available at SUNY Cortland’s online Ticket Office. Discounted prices are offered to students, faculty, staff and senior citizens.
With a script and lyrics by Deborah Zoe Laufer, accompanied by a score from Daniel Green, “By Any Other Name” is the third Cortland musical brought to life in partnership with New York City-based CreateTheater after “The Bone Harp” and “In Emily’s Words.”
Readings without costumes or props were given on campus the past two years, letting the show’s writing team get feedback from a live audience and then adjust the show accordingly.
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“In Emily’s Words” went on to be an award winner at the New Works Festival in New York City, including best leading musical and best actress in a musical for current junior Olivia Celis.
With “By Any Other Name,” the staged reading is just a first step toward the fully realized show opening next month.
“Our reading on Sept. 14 was very successful,” Halpin said. “We had a full audience, and the response was overwhelmingly positive, including a standing ovation at the conclusion. Book writer and lyricist Deborah Laufer was in attendance and was very impressed with our students’ performances, and the astute observations and helpful questions from the audience at the talkback following the performance.”
Ideas and suggestions from that talkback have already been added into the version to debut in October, he added.
To the best of Halpin’s knowledge, Cortland has the only university musical theater program with an ongoing, yearly connection to a New York City producer, as well as a chance to perform each year in the global hub of the theater industry.
“I do believe this is a unique opportunity for our students that other programs do not offer,” Halpin said. “Working with Deb has been a great experience. To have a successful playwright who has been produced in so many professional theaters in New York City and regionally is a valuable opportunity for our students and the program. This is her first full musical, so we are excited to be part of that for her.”
Each year partner organization CreateTheater lists possible shows for Cortland, with Halpin choosing several for the rest of the department’s full-time faculty and production staff to read through.
This time, “By Any Other Name” was chosen by the department as a full stage production, with cast, crew and faculty hard at work to bring a complete vision of the show to life.
Halpin said that rehearsals began Aug. 30 and last from 6:30 to 10 p.m. each weekday, and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition, the cast works either alone, with a vocal instructor or with musical director Ben Kapilow outside of normal rehearsals.
The partnership gives Cortland students a chance to learn from professional playwrights, Halpin explained. And a new show that updates on the fly in the lead up to its debut is an excellent challenge for the students.
“Getting perspective from professionals who are working in the contemporary theater is always invaluable for a student,” he said. “Having an established playwright learn from your performances and listen to your ideas about the life of the character teaches our students how important their place is in the collaboration on a new piece of theater. The confidence and sense of self-worth that provides is an invaluable foundation for the start of their careers in the theater.”