On with the 'Show' at Gaslight
Audiences headed into "The Show Must Go On!" at Gaslight Melodrama might want to leave their expectations at the door.
The show, which is a variation of one first performed in 2011, is ready to defy any notions of what makes a melodrama show.
"It's a fun, kind of meta-comedy with the idea that anything that can go wrong with a live production does go wrong," said Gaslight co-owner and artistic director Michael Prince.
Prince wrote and directed the show and has a brief cameo as the master of ceremonies. He is joined by Jay Stodder, who was in the 2011 version, as well as Jennifer Prince, Julie Gaines, Noah White, Jack Prince, Alyssa Bonanno and Chayce Perlis.
In sharing information about the show, Prince pointed out that the performers don't have specific character names listed because "with a show like this, one never really knows whom one is playing."
"They are definitely playing versions of themselves who possibly have to turn into other characters."
"Show" begins with the cast of a production learning one of the performers is a no-show, leading to bringing in another actor who changes things on the spot.
"The person who comes in decides to change everything — setting, characterizations."
Finding out who that is among the cast is a "fun surprise" for the audience early in the show, Prince said.
"It's always fun when we get to do something different than the norm and this is very different than the norm. ... It's fun to bounce around new ideas and play with the format and the melodrama style and live theater style in general."
With musical numbers that come out of nowhere, this over-the-top comedy will keep things interesting.
"This show moves so fast that as an audience member you have to hang on for dear life."
The production will be followed by the vaudeville revue "Peace, Love and Vaudeville," a throwback tribute to the 1960s.
Like "Show," the revue is a variation of one introduced about 15 years ago.
Prince said it's a trip to be able to revisit the theater's history, especially in advance of a big milestone.
"Next year will be our 20-year anniversary so we have quite the catalog to pull apart and make new again."
When asked if the theater plans to offer special shows for that 20th season, Prince said the team is keeping plans conservative for now.
"The last time we had a big celebration planned (for our 15th), it was 2020," he said, noting the abrupt end of the season due to the COVID lockdown.
"We have things planned (for next year) but we’re not being very loud about it at the moment."
