By Town Crier Staff Report
TheatreWorks this week opens its 32nd season with the West Coast’s premiere of “Summer of ‘42″, a musical that aims to evoke nostalgia for a bygone age of innocence and rekindle the magic of first love.
“Summer” previews today through Friday and opens Saturday at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts., 500 Castro St. It closes July 15.
This story of a teen trio and a beautiful young war bride premiered at Goodspeed Musicals last summer. Based on the Oscar-nominated film, “Summer” reverts back to an unforgettable era with the rhythms of swing, bandstand boogie and Broadway ballads.
“Summer” will be directed by Gabriel Barre.
“Summer” tells the story of Hermie, one of three hormonally charged teen-age boys displaced from inner city turmoil for a summer’s vacation on a placid Maine island. The boys, led by Oscy, set out to learn and experience all they can about love and sex, with three teen-age girls as the targets of their curiosity. The resulting awkwardness and stumbling first attempts at courtship occupy the trio’s attention, until Hermie’s budding friendship with young war bride Dorothy makes his summer a bittersweet lesson in love.
The stage production of “Summer” originated at Goodspeed Musicals in Connecticut last year. It features a score of ballads, 1940s-style swing and boogie-woogie numbers.
“Summer” is based on the book by Hunter Foster and novel and screenplay by Herman Raucher. Foster is an actor who has appeared on Broadway in “Footloose,” “Les Miserables,” Disney’s “King David” and “Grease” with Rosie O’Donnell.
“Summer” is his first produced work. Music and lyrics are by David Kirshenbaum, who wrote the score for “Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus.”
The cast features Kate Jennings Grant as Dorothy. She has appeared on Broadway and on the TV series “JAG,” “Sex in the City” and “Law & Order.”
Hermie will be played by Ryan Driscoll, who made his professional stage debut in “Summer” at Goodspeed. Brett Tabisel plays Oscy. Tabisel was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Billy in “Big …The Musical.” On Broadway, he also appeared in “Falsettos,” “Green Eggs & Ham” and “Peter Pan.”
Also in the cast are Jason Marcus, Greg Stone, Bill Kux, Megan Walker, Celia Keenan-Bolger and Erin Webley.
Director/choreographer Barre recently directed “The Wild Party” by Andrew Lippa at the Manhattan Theatre Club, which won three Lucille Lortel Awards. Previews start at 8 p.m., as does Saturday’s opening night performance. Future shows begin at 7:30 p.m., Tuesdays; 8 p.m., Wednesdays-Saturdays (no show July 4); 7 p.m., July 1 and 8; plus 2 p.m., July 7 and 14.
For tickets, priced at $20-$40, call 903-6000.
