Putting it together: University Theatre presents [title of show]

How do you write a musical in three weeks?

Spend an evening at the Mitchell Theatre this summer to find out, as University Theatre presents the area premiere of the surprise 2009 Tony-nominated hit [title of show].

Playing July 8-23 and again September 9-18, this show is a must-see for those who know and love Broadway or want to know Broadway or just want a glimpse into the creative process of putting a show together.

Featuring music and lyrics by Jeff Bowen and a book by Hunter Bell, this love letter to musical theater tells the story of two struggling young artists who decide to write an original work for a musical theatre competition even though the deadline is just three weeks away.

After deciding that all the good topics, from George Seurat to the South Pacific, have already been tackled with ballads and kicklines, Hunter and Jeff decide to write a musical about writing a musical.

In the tradition of play-within-a-play hits like “Kiss Me Kate,” “Noises Off!,” and “The Producers,” [title of show] pushes the boundaries of where real life begins and ends.

With the help of their friends, the two men write and perform a show in the festival, along the way learning about themselves as people, friends, and artists.

The show earned co-creator Hunter Bell an Obie Award, a Drama League nomination, and a 2009 Tony nomination for Best Book of a Musical.  In addition, the actors chronicled their odyssey from festival to Broadway in a series of 15 YouTube videos entitled “The [title of show] show.”

The creative team for UT’s production includes professor David Furumoto as director, music director Jakob Aebly, scenic designer Katy Lai, costume designer Katie Gray, and lighting designer Erik S Barry. The cast features UW Madison undergraduate students Stuart Mott, Alli Rekow, and Haley Kosup-Kennedy and recent UW alumnus Chris Tiernan.

[title of show] will run Thursdays through Saturdays, July 8-23 with a Sunday matinee on July 17. Performances are in the Mitchell Theatre, 821 University Ave.

Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and matinees begin at 2 p.m. Individual tickets for all performances are $22 general public or $15 for UW students. Discounts are available for senior citizens and Friends of University Theatre.

Purchase tickets by phone at (608) 265-ARTS (2787), in person at the Vilas Hall Box Office, 821 University Ave.; the Wisconsin Union Box Office, 800 Langdon St.; or order online. To buy tickets and view the calendar, click here.