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| Harley Barton, Kait Russell, Amanda Valenzuela, Blair Beasley and Maris McCulley in Shout!, the Mod Musical photo courtesy Arizona Broadway Theatre |
by Gil Benbrook
Shout! the Mod Musical is a charming and upbeat, jukebox musical revue that also serves as a nostalgic trip through swinging 1960s London. It features dozens of songs from that period, including such famous tunes as "To Sir with Love," "Downtown," "Son of a Preacher Man" and "Goldfinger." The show also pays tribute to such iconic pop female icons who originally performed these tunes, including Dusty Springfield, Petula Clark and Cilla Blac. The show, while whimsical, also touches upon the themes of female liberation and empowerment.
Arizona Broadway Theatre's production of this show opens tonight, and runs through April 18th. The women who make up the ABT cast sat down to answer some questions about the musical, the time period it represents, as well as the famous female pop singers that are represented in the show
How familiar were you with the women and the songs in the show before rehearsals started?
"I was very familiar with these women and classic fun songs! Dusty Springfield 'Preacher Man' was one of my mom's favorites so I grew up listening to her and I am just so honored and hope to do justice to such an icon! "
Did you do any research on the period, the women or these songs? And what have you learned about them during the rehearsal process?
"I have always been fascinated with the 60s and 70s time period. I went to school for musical theater in New York City and a few things we learned there were about the golden age and how to portray gestures, the way woman were taught to hold themselves and proper etiquette so that has trained me and set me up for success to go into a show such as “SHOUT!” "
Do you have a favorite moment or song in the show, and what is significant about it?
"I’ll try not to spoil too much, but one of my favorite moments of the entire show is the musical number 'SHOUT!' It stands for so much. I have really made a personal connection to every song but the lyrics in particular make for such strong bold actions to play for the audience to see and enjoy!"
Since you've performed in various ABT shows before, what do you like most about coming back to perform at ABT?
"I have performed 3 shows with ABT, SHOUT! being my fourth! What I enjoy about performing at ABT is the safety precautions they have taken to make each and every member of the audience, actors, (etc...) feel comfortable especially trying to come out of a pandemic. They’re always on our side and want the best for us! I am so honored to be back on the ABT stage where they have given me an opportunity to do what I love most!"
What do you hope ABT audiences will take away from seeing SHOUT! A Mod Musical?
"Apart from smiles & sore cheeks from the time period jokes, it would be to be you & overcome those stereotypes because there’s no wrong way when it comes to being your true unfiltered self!"
How familiar were you with the women and the songs in the show before rehearsals started?
"I was familiar with Dusty Springfield but not as much Petula Clark or Cilla Black. There were certain songs that I’ve heard before but the majority of the score was pretty new to me. It’s amazing to know just how many songs were recorded by these women."
Did you do any research on the period, the women or these songs? And what have you learned about them during the rehearsal process?
"It was recommended for us to listen to the original recordings of these songs in order to become more familiar with the sound and the tone that we should emulate. For me, I spent a decent amount of time listening to Dusty Springfield- as I sing a lot of her material in the show. Listening to her definitely helped me find more of that sultry and Smokey vocal quality in my voice and that ultimately, adds to the various colors that you’ll be hearing throughout the show."
Do you have a favorite moment or song in the show, and what is significant about it?
" 'Don’t Give Up' is one of my favorite numbers in the show! It’s a solid group number featuring some fun staging and vocal arrangements as well. It has an encouraging message to never give up on yourself and love. Even though heartbreak is inevitable, you will always find your way back to love. Overall, it’s a super fun number to sing every night. It’s now become one of those songs that I sing around the house or while I’m in the car."
Since you've performed in various ABT shows before, what do you like most about coming back to perform at ABT?
"What I like about performing at ABT is the positive work atmosphere that is fueled by hard work, creativity and a love for theater and entertainment. Everyone here strives to put on quality productions that are bound to make you laugh, smile and leave the theater with joy and excitement for the arts. From the box office, to wardrobe, to the actors on stage & the creative team behind the scenes, everyone has one goal in mind: to deliver our very best to an audience of theater goers. Now more than ever, it is a privilege to be able to share our gifts and talents with you all and I’m very glad to be back on the ABT stage."
What do you hope ABT audiences will take away from seeing SHOUT! A Mod Musical?
"I hope that everyone leaves with a little more joy and happiness in their hearts. That they have a moment of nostalgia hearing these songs and that they encourage their friends and family to join us for what’s bound to be a good time. We hope to see you there"
How familiar were you with the women and the songs in the show before rehearsals started?
"I was definitely familiar with the Dusty Springfield and Petula Clark songs, and of course the James Bond theme song! I hope the audience enjoys the way the songs are paired together, often in what we affectionately refer to as a 'mashup.' They’ll love hearing these familiar songs in fun, new ways. "
Did you do any research on the period, the women or these songs? And what have you learned about them during the rehearsal process?
"My research was specifically geared toward my character, the Blue Girl, who is very fashion-forward. I looked up all the trend references in my monologues, including 'dolly girls,' fashion designer Mary Quant, the Vidal Sassoon bob, and others. Pinterest was a great help for pictures and inspiration!"
Do you have a favorite moment or song in the show, and what is significant about it?
"I think my favorite moment is the finale, when all of our characters come together in solidarity. I won’t give anything away, but you’ll understand the impact at the end of the show! Other than that, my favorite moment is our scene together leading into the James Bond theme song, because we get to be silly and laugh at ourselves. "
Since you've performed in various ABT shows before, what do you like most about coming back to perform at ABT?
"I haven’t performed at ABT since 2010! I was in Bye Bye Birdie in 2009 and then Lend Me a Tenor in 2010. Being back at ABT has felt like coming home. I have so many fond memories from those shows. Rehearsing during Covid has presented many unique challenges, and jumping straight into rehearsals after a whole year off from performing was a shock to the system! But our choreographer and director have made this process so much fun and allowed us time and space to play and to find our characters. As I said to my fellow actors, it’s time to make a very colorful comeback!"
What do you hope ABT audiences will take away from seeing SHOUT! A Mod Musical?
"I hope audiences will see how these women of the 60’s paved the way for women today, and that they can see how our characters change over the course of the show. And I certainly hope they enjoy the music and can find a few songs to tap their foot to, and maybe even sing along!"
How familiar were you with the women and the songs in the show before rehearsals started?
"As a child I listened to Dusty Springfield with my mother. I was pretty familiar with most of the songs. 'Wives and Lovers' was one of the ones I did some research on and was unfamiliar with. The songs from this era are so lovely. "
Did you do any research on the period, the women or these songs? And what have you learned about them during the rehearsal process?
"I absolutely researched these women. In addition to what I already knew about these fab ladies, I've come to understand that these women were leaders of their time. Setting trends and pushing boundaries of what was considered 'acceptable' for women of the time. They paved the way for people like Cher, Madonna and Lady Gaga. Women were looking to role models like Dusty, Petula and Twiggy to be empowered and understood."
Do you have a favorite moment or song in the show, and what is significant about it?
"My favorite moment of the show is undoubtedly, 'Preacherman.' I love listening to Harley belt out the chorus and the choreo is so fun. It's a moment in the show where the women get to assert themselves and claim their sexuality. I love it! "
Since this is your first time appearing at Arizona Broadway Theatre, what have you found special or unique about the ABT experience?
"This is my first show at ABT and I have been so encouraged by everyone's kindness and patience, especially coming out of a pandemic! It is a beautiful place to work. "
What do you hope ABT audiences will take away from seeing SHOUT! A Mod Musical?
"It's time for people to have fun. I want folks to be whisked away for the hour and ninety minutes we have them. People deserve to laugh and to put their worries away for a bit - we need that more than anything right now. This show touches on some important subjects but in a way that's light, fun and digestible. I think it will be a blast to have people transported back to a time they remember fondly. It's bound to be a bloody good time!"
How familiar were you with the women and the songs in the show before rehearsals started?
"Starting this show I knew a little bit about the women of the 60s and 70s like Dusty Springfield and Petula Clark. But this show has definitely introduced me to a lot of songs I’ve never heard of and I’ve loved learning more. "
Did you do any research on the period, the women or these songs? And what have you learned about them during the rehearsal process?
"The biggest thing I’ve learned is how empowering the women of these times were. If Twiggy wore something bold and different then other women felt like they could do it as well. It was definitely a time period for women to start standing up and having a bigger voice."
Do you have a favorite moment or song in the show, and what is significant about it?
"My favorite moment of the show is the power ballad of 'You’re My World' / 'All I See is You.' The whole show has so many upbeat songs and this one is a great change of pace that feels so powerful and romantic."
Since this is your first time appearing at Arizona Broadway Theatre, what have you found special or unique about the ABT experience?
"This is my first show with Arizona Broadway Theatre, and it’s been a great experience. Especially being my first musical back after the pandemic I appreciate how safe they’ve made us feel and how they made us feel comfortable. It’s a very professional environment that I’m happy to be a part of."
What do you hope ABT audiences will take away from seeing SHOUT! A Mod Musical?
"I hope that the audience enjoy a great escape back to the 60s and have an hour and a half of forgetting about real world problems. "
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