Everything about Playcrafters’ last production for the 2014 season, “Edges: A Song Cycle,” has a fresh, youthful flavor.
The creators of Edges (Tony-nominated songwriters of the Broadway musical, A Christmas Story), Benj Pasek and Justin Paul were little more than college students when they first wrote this charming 90-minute musical revue that centers on six young adults about to embark on life. The cast consists of mostly young twenty-somethings, plus one teen, and the director is high school senior Sarah Shin, who is happy to be making her debut “directing a real show.”
While you may not be familiar with Edges as you are to its universal themes of love, angst, relationships, and just who-do-I-want-to-be…, you may recognize some of the pop culture success that talented co-creators Pasek and Paul (a young Rodgers and Hammerstein) have achieved recently. In addition to A Christmas Story, they composed the off-Broadway musical Dogfight and their original songs were featured on Season 2 of NBC’s Smash and rose to the Top 25 on the iTunes Pop Charts. Their songs have been featured on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, The View, Good Morning America, CBS Sunday Morning, VH1 Morning Buzz, The Rosie Show, Fox & Friends, and more. Pasek and Paul also created the song “Unlimited” for Old Navy’s viral video back-to-school campaign. They’ve received numerous awards and fellowships, including the 2007 Jonathan Larson Award.
Critics describe them as gifted composers who write inarguably elegant songs…their clear, ringing style carries the musical theater torch on behalf of Broadway’s next generation of composers…their achievement demands recognition.
Starring on stage are: Jonathan Ruch (Man 1), Matthew Mitlas (Man 2), Tyreese Kadle (Man 3 and Man 1 understudy), Samantha Riesenberg (Woman 1), Meredith Yannuzzi (Woman 2), and Casey Clark (Woman 3 and Woman 1 understudy).
At the musical direction of Kirsten Olson, the performance is all in song with keyboard, base and drums accompaniment. The characters are mostly playing themselves and exposing their inner thoughts as they cover such timely issues as love, commitment and identity.
“I’ve been telling them to use actual memories and experiences to draw from,” said Shin. “It renders them vulnerable.”
Shin also mentioned that each of the actors has a subtle, arcing story line that incorporates smaller, sub-scenes/visions that are creatively woven into the show.
As the performers decipher in song how to confront their own personal issues as they bare their souls on stage, come see how their stories compare with your own in this most festive, joyous season of love, hope, joy and sharing.
If you go:Playcrafters of Skippack presents
Edges: A Song Cycle2011 Store Road @ Rt. 73
Skippack, PA 19474December 5, 6, 12, 13 at 8 pm; 7, 14 at 3 pm
Tickets: $17.00Info: 610-584-4005
www.playcrafters.org
