How 'The Theory of Relativity' was chosen as HS musical
by Catherine Coke, High School theater director
This little-known musical may not have hit Broadway but is a beautiful challenge for High School Theater. Performances are Wednesday, Nov. 8 through Sunday, Nov. 12 and appropriate for all ages.
There are big questions about this year’s fall musical: Why have we chosen a show of which 95 percent of people have never heard? Can it be any good? Why should I be interested in seeing it?
I choose the shows High School does based on many different factors: Do our students have the talent and abilities to do the show well? Would they be interested in the subject matter? Is the show any good? Would audiences enjoy the experience? Can we physically do the show in our Auditorium space? Considering we have the shortest rehearsal period of any high school in town, do we have the time to rehearse it? Can we financially afford to do it justice? There are a lot of issues to take into consideration.
In my search for the right piece, I went to the websites of licensing agencies, and I ran across “The Theory of Relativity” at Music Theatre International. Just from the short description, it sounded interesting but something unlikely for us to produce because of the limited cast size, no intermission, and no seal of approval from Broadway or any regional theatres. I went ahead and ordered a perusal script and CD anyway, and upon reading the book and listening to the music, there could be no other choice.
The book, contemporary and aimed at young performers, is fantastic. The music, filled with so many music genres, is both beautiful and challenging. I wanted to make it work for our High School. I went to my production team: Ginger Newman, music director, Russ Davis, accompanist, and Mindy Congleton, choreographer. They would validate my thoughts or tell me it was undoable. After hearing the score, they were all on board. Jim Manning, designer, and Caitlyn Del Casino, assistant choreographer, also agreed. And we are lucky to have Renee Sola, costume designer, in full support as well.
Should this show have gotten to Broadway? Is it stage-worthy at that level? Indeed. But, the vagaries of Broadway business timing, producer connections, and financing didn’t materialize for that to happen. Nonetheless, “The Theory of Relativity” is of the highest caliber in theatrical terms.
We are excited to produce this show and to be at the forefront of what we hope is a wave of productions at high schools and colleges around the country.
High School Theater performances of “The Theory of Relativity” are at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8 and Thursday, Nov. 9; 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10 and Saturday, Nov. 11; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12. Tickets are free for students, faculty, staff, and Tiger Arts Patrons members; they are $5 for the general public. Reservations will be available soon and are highly recommended as seating will be limited to 130 people.
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Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.