I can’t wait for everyone to see what I’ve been seeing in rehearsals for QUEEN OF THE BOHEMIAN DREAM. This week, we’ve moved from vocal rehearsals in Darius Smith’s small studio at Howard University onto the main stage in the Fine Arts building and now finally have the chance to put the pieces together.
The 17 songs in the show have stories so compelling that last night we surrendered to them completely, and threw the book out altogether.
What’s been happening is sheer genius. Darius’ arrangements are really hot. The harmonies he’s written sizzle. And who knew he could play stride piano like that! Director Michael J. Bobbitt’s ideas for scenes are incredible! ‘Depravity’. It was to be Bobby Smith’s big tango number, but now he’s selling the song from an arm chair. Like a very, very wicked Drowsy Chaperone.
She’ll make you laugh. She’ll make you cry. Tracy McMullan is hysterical in her duo with Bobby, ‘Too Stoned to Care’. Then there’s ‘Scars’. Even when we were in the studio, it was moving. Now with Michael’s staging, it’s stunning.
And we are so excited to have you hear Margo Seibert. You’ve seen her do lots of ensemble work – like Saving Aimee and Reefer Madness. She’ll go from a Cabaret-like ‘Damned If I Do’ to the beautiful ballad ‘Forecast’, with lots of comedy in between. As Michael says, she’s a star in the making.
Speaking of the just opened Reefer Madness, both Bobby and Margo are in it, so if you don’t see them after, it’s because some nights they have 30 minutes to close our show and be onstage for the Madness.
So don’t miss this chance to see three star performers singing the work of the great Fran Landesman. We open this Friday at 2:30, then run Saturday at 7 and Sunday at 2 with more shows next week. The Fringe momentum is building, so don’t wait to order tickets. See you at the show.
Lorraine Treanor, Producer
