“We’d slave for him, we’d save for him, we’d even misbehave for him; that certain thing called the boyfriend,” sings a chorus of U-Prep girls on a typical weekday afternoon. They are practicing for an exciting new musical, “The Boyfriend,” written by Sandy Wilson.
Never heard of it? That’s excellent! Ms. Romney Clements, the director, selected the musical partly because of its anonymity: “It’s really fun to bring a show to the community that is not produced a lot,” she says.
“The Boyfriend” is a tale of romance set in the 1920s in a British boarding school in the south of France. The protagonist is Polly Browne (played by Jeni Schwartz ,12th grade), a rich young woman who attends the boarding school. (Spoiler alert…) Because of her fortune, her father, Percival Browne (Landon Bruno, 11th), forbids her to acquire a boyfriend, in case the boy is just a fortune seeker. When Polly meets Tony Brockhurst (Tariq Malik, 11th) she falls in love with him, but lies about her identity, saying she is a secretary in the boarding school. Serendipitously, Tony is also rich, so the two can live happily ever after, with Polly’s father’s approval. Esther Brueckner-Leech (12th), loves the story. She’s telling all prospective audience members that “it’s going to be really fun to watch.”
Aside from the 42 students in the cast, U-Prep attendees are also involved behind the scenes. Susanna Ryan (12th), is the costume mistress. Kelsey Rondeau (12th) is a chorus member and student choreographer, with three numbers to his name. Nate Townsell (12th) is single-handedly pulling off the program. Last but not least, Colleen Murphy (9th) is commanding an arsenal of student techies as student stage manager. Ms. Clements is very excited because Colleen’s “actually just a freshman, and this’ll be her first time, but she’s going to do a fabulous job.”
The cast likes the regime change as well.
“I think it’s great that students try to help and participate. It brings a new perspective and I think it’s probably easier for them [student staffers] to work with us than adults,” Bruno says.
This production will take place on Nov. 19, 20 and 21 at 7 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday the 21st. It will be performed live at the David Marr Auditorium in the Shasta Learning Center on 2200 Eureka Way.
Do come, because everyone’s excited. Elise Hogan (10th), a chorus member, says she “can’t wait to perform in the musical!”
What: University Preparatory School Presents “The Boyfriend”
When: Evening shows are at 7 p.m. Nov. 19-21, with a 2 p.m. matinee Nov. 21.
Where: David Marr Auditorium inside the Shasta Learning Center, 2200 Eureka Way in Redding
Cost: Adults $10, students $5 – Tickets are available at the University Preparatory School office during school hours and at Graphic Emporium on Pine Street. All tickets feature a $5 off coupon for Angelo’s Pizza.
More info: Proceeds benefit U-Prep student scholarships. For more information, call 245-2790.
Details, details: The show is directed by M. Romney Clements, with musical direction by Brad Fowers and choreography by James Santos. Assistant director is Melissa Gulden.
“The Boyfriend” was written by Sandy Wilson and is presented through special arrangement with Musical Theater International.
