Guild show tribute to classic songs of Jerry Herman
Musical Theatre Guild of Butler is gearing up for the summer offering, “Jerry's Girls,” a tribute to the classic songs of Jerry Herman, the prolific song writer of the stage.
The show is slated to open July 13 at MTG's William A. Lehnerd Performance Hall.
An all-female cast of performers will pay tribute to the song catalog of Herman, with tunes from “Hello, Dolly!” to “Mame” and “La Cage aux Folles” to “Mack and Mabel,” among others. Songs include “Hello Dolly,” “We Need a Little Christmas,” “Before the Parade Passes,” “If He Walked into My Life” and “Mame.”
The show is under the direction of Patrick Erkman, with Chris Savannah as music director, and Barb Osche and Eric Snyder as producers.
The unique revue is a variety show of sorts.
“It's like watching an episode of the 'Carol Burnett' Show,” said cast member Tammy Erkman of Ellwood City.
“One scene is 'over the top' silly and the next is touching and poignant, but all scenes are dripping with beautiful costumes and nice lighting,” she said.
Erkman, who appeared in this show in 2015 at the Red Barn Theater in Zelienople, is no stranger to the stage and quite capable of breathing new life into old songs.
“I play multiple characters: a housewife, a stripper, a show girl, a drag queen … you know, an average woman on a typical day with her family,” said Erkman. “Making the audience realize that I am not the same character throughout the show is going to be my biggest challenge.”
Ariana O'Donnell of Butler Township also will appear in this production. O'Donnell is a spring 2017 graduate of Westminster College with a bachelor's degree in music.
“This show is unique- since there are songs from so many shows. We all change characters every couple of minutes. Personally, I go from being a vaudeville singer, to playing Gooch from 'Mame,' to a glitzy girl from 'La Cage aux Folles,' and so many more,” O'Donnell said.
Getting into the head of all the different characters is a challenge, she said. “Although I play so many different roles, my favorite character to play is Gooch; the song itself is so funny, and the character is very far out of my comfort zone,” she said.
Paula Baptiste Floyd of Butler Township said she auditioned for the show because the music evoked good memories.
“Many of these songs were reminiscent of music I heard my mom play on the piano in summer evenings as I was growing up,” Floyd said.
“I also enjoy being involved in summer musicals because there's time to focus and enjoy the process,” she said.
She anticipates the production will delight Butler area audiences.
“What's not to love? There's singing, dancing and sparkle galore,” she said.
Other featured actresses include Sue Ann Aiken, Amy Cannard, Chris Lilley, Samantha Roth, Cindy West, Madison Zajacs and Tina Zajacs.
Seating is limited in the air-conditioned production center.
WHO: Musical Theatre GuildWHAT: “Jerry’s Girls”WHEN: 7:30 p.m. July 13, 14, 20 and 21 and at 3 p.m. July 22WHERE: MTG’s William A. Lehnerd Performance Hall at the rear of Memorial ParkTICKETS: $17, available at www.mtgbutler.org or call 724-287-8243 from 7 to 9 p.m. Sundays through Wednesdays.
