Twenty-four hours. That’s all the sailors Chip, Gabey and Ozzie have in New York City. After 24 hours, the three men will return to the Brooklyn Navy Yard and their waiting responsibilities. It’s the 1940s: World War II is in full swing, and the city is bustling with the energy and social change resulting from the domestic war effort. The three friends have high hopes for a day jam-packed with adventure, fun and romance.
Written by Betty Comden and Adolph Green with music by Leonard Bernstein, the musical was made into a feature film starring Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly, Ann Miller and other stars of the stage and screen.
From February 21 to 23, Connecticut College’s Theater, Music and Dance Departments are producing On the Town, the first main stage musical theater performance on Palmer Stage in years.
A large departmental collaboration, the production is directed by Professor of Theatre Virginia Anderson with music and vocal direction from Professors of Music Mark Seto and Wendy Moy, respectively, and choreography by Professor of Dance Lisa Race.
Anderson joined Connecticut College’s theater department this fall. She explained her motivation for bringing On the Town to Conn: “As we look back at World War II through On the Town, what is our responsibility as artists to engage with our current cultural moment? How can this show spark conversations that lead to deeper understanding of not only the past, but the present and future as well? I think that students will fully relate to the story we’re telling. It’s a celebration of connections between people — connections that define you and that you never forget. College is such a special time, in no small part because of the relationships we form and the ways in which we challenge and inspire one another.”
This musical has also had a very different rehearsal process than that of a typical main stage production. The cast and crew returned to Connecticut College for a one-week rehearsal intensive before the start of second semester. Actor Jacob Rosenbaum ’14 described this process: “We spent every day working, dancing, singing, memorizing, brainstorming, playing, analyzing, laughing, creating, collaborating and maybe some sleeping and eating in between…maybe. I enjoyed every second of it.”
This production is also different because the cast and the crew have taken many trips to visit relevant historical sites, including the Brooklyn Naval Yard, the New York Transit Museum, the Brooklyn War Memorial, all in New York City, and the Submarine Force Museum in Groton, Connecticut.
The production team researched the history and culture of the 1940s extensively. Costume designer Sabrina Notarfrancisco explained how World War II influenced American fashion: “During the ’40s, clothing was rationed. Because a lot of materials were being used for the war effort, there were rules about how much fabric could go into a garment. The silhouettes for the women were actually very masculine styles: knee length dresses with boxy shoulders. Women would try to feminize these boxier looks with longer hair — in the 1930s, shorter hair was the style — and gloves and hats and lipstick. And just the romanticized notion that every military man should come home to a beautiful woman.”
As the process gears up, the whole team is transitioning from rehearsal rooms to Palmer Stage. Orchestra member Emma Radest ’16 said, “I love playing in pit orchestras, and to be able to work with such a talented group of people and such incredible directors — especially Mark Seto, our conductor — has been wonderful. Last year with Into the Woods, the venue was so small, and even though it was a great production, it would have been nice to be on a big stage. All the musicals I have performed in so far have been in auditoriums like Palmer, so I am super excited to get back to this kind of venue.”
Come see the work of many members of our Connecticut College community who are collaborating to create an unforgettable musical theater experience that offers insight into the romance and strife of World War II era New York City. Tickets are $8 for students and are on sale at the box office located on the first floor in Palmer and Cro.
