New West Theatre is always up for giving audiences a much needed shot of optimism. This summer’s music revue show Wonderstruck, running Aug. 9-26 in the Yates Theatre is designed to do that through the music of the ’70s and ’80s.
“We didn't originally decide to focus on an era, but we wanted to have a theme of dreaming and imagination. And music from the ’70s and ’80s just fit. There’s less focus on ’50s and ’60s music,” said artistic Director Kelly Reay, who is excited to work with familiar faces musical director Kelly Zaborsky, Erica Hunt, Scott Carpenter and Kyle Gruninger plus relative newcomers like Alinafe Lupiway and Katie Fellger and newcomers MadisanCowan and Ethan Bintu-Watt, who are excited to spread their creative wings for Wonderstruck. Not to mention the talented band, drummer Keenan Pezderic, Guitarist Scott Mezei and bassist Greg Paskuski.
“The past few years have been a little rocky, so we’re just excited to be able to dream again and be optimistic about the future,” Reay enthused, adding the set is designed to look like a starry night sky, to reinforce the optimistic feel.
He noted it is exciting to be getting back to normal after the pandemic.
“People were apprehensive abut getting together in large groups,” he observed, adding it has been a few years since the had two music comedy revues in the summer.
“We’ve juggled the schedule a little bit. There will be another music comedy revue in February this year, “ The Legends of Rock and Country”
For now New West is focusing on Wonderstruck, which followed the tried and true formula of mixing comedy, dance and music.
“It‘s a mix of music, comedy and dance. It‘s a formula that works, but we don’t want to do the same thing every year,” he said, noting most of the show is completely new, so though the title “Wonderstruck” may lead to memories of the TV show “ the Wonder Years,” there will be no “With A Little Help From my Friends.”
“We did that a couple years ago,” he continued.
Reay is excited to work with the cast, especially newer faces Madisan Cowan and Ethan Bintu-Watt, who get to take a more prominent role in this show.
“They were a really pleasant discoveries. They are really capable, so they get to take somel features roles, so we’re excited about that,” he continued.