University Theatre presents ‘Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)’

Musical theater is a distinctly American creation. This summer, University Theatre at the University of Wisconsin–Madison celebrates that tradition in all its delightful campy glory with the off-Broadway sensation "Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)." It will play in the Hemsley Theatre from Friday, June 27-Saturday, July 19. Hemsley Theatre is located in Vilas Hall, 821 University Ave.

Written by musical theater veterans Joanne Bogart and Eric Rockwell, "Musical of Musicals" gives homage to Broadway giants in a series of clever parodies. Composers Stephen Sondheim, Jerome Kern and Andrew Lloyd Webber as well as musical teams Kander and Ebb and Rogers and Hammerstein are re-imagined in five short acts.

"We wanted to do something that was bright and funny and would be a challenge for our actors," says director Patricia Boyette, calling the show "a fast-paced romp." "It hasn’t been done in this area at all."

The show is full of moments to show off a great range, and this cast will include four accomplished local performers: Clare Arena Haden, Pete Bissen, Scott Haden and Amanda Poulson.

Clare Haden most recently played Stella in University Theatre’s "A Streetcar Named Desire." Bissen, possibly the most frequent performer on the university stage in recent years, appeared in "The Water Engine" and "Dragonwings" this season. He and Haden charmed audiences as Caldwell B. Cladwell and Miss Pennywise, respectively, in last season’s "Urinetown: The Musical."

Scott Haden recently performed in "The Nerd" at Madison Rep and was seen in "Anna Christie" at the Rep last season. He is also known for his work with American Players Theatre. Poulson, Four Seasons Theatre operations director, recently appeared as Young Phyllis in that company’s "Follies" and before that, as Maria in "West Side Story."

Musical director Scott Gendel will lead the actors through each riff on a common musical plot. It’s quite simple: the heroine cannot pay the rent; the villain insists she must.

"It’s both a genre send-up and a huge technical feat of stylistic complexity and over-the-topness," Gendel says. "It’s a great show for the summer because it moves so fast with so many different song styles."

The show will be presented in the Hemsley Theatre in cabaret style — chairs arranged around small tables, close enough to the stage to hear Gendel’s shouted stage directions.

"I wish there was a way to get across how funny these lines are," Gendel says. "In auditions people were laughing, asking, ‘Why have I not heard of this?’"

For more information on times, dates and ticket prices, contact the box office at (608) 262-1500. Tickets are available by phone, online and at the Vilas Hall box office, 821 University Ave.