'Musical of Musicals, the Musical!' At The Waterfront

The Waterfront Playhouse will close their 2008/09 season with the Off-Broadway hit, "Musical of Musicals, the Musical!"

This spoof of Broadway musicals gives The Audience five great shows for the price of one.  The authors have taken one story-line and created five delightful musicals in the styles of Rodgers and Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Kander & Ebb. The New York Times raved, "Real Wit, Real Charm. Great fun."

(Photo by Barry Fitzgerald)

Cameron Murray directs and choreographs four Key West musical theater performers - David Black, Laurie Breakwell, Kristen Michelle Bussiere and Bruce Moore . Vincent Zito is the musical director with Michael Fauss performing on the onstage piano. Mary Falconer is the backstage narrator. Opening night is Wednesday, May 6 at 8:30 with a gala post-performance reception sponsored by The Keys, Key West's Piano Bar.

"Musical of Musicals" was created by Eric Rockwell (music) and Joanne Bogart (lyrics), with both authors also writing the book. The basic plot is about a young girl who is threatened by her evil landlord when she can't pay her rent. From this story, the authors create five mini-musicals that include "Corn!" which features the 1940's romantic lyricism of Rodgers & Hammerstein; "A Little Complex," a salute to the dramatic dissonance of Stephen Sondheim; "Dear Abby" which is a brassy song-and-dance star vehicle a la Jerry Herman; "Aspects of Juanita," an over-the-top rock opera in the style of Andrew Lloyd Webber and "Speakeasy" which spotlights the razzle dazzle showmanship of Kander & Ebb. The Daily News said "Musical of  Musicals is hilarious. It'll keep you laughing from start to finish."

Cameron Murray (director) has directed "Stepping Out" and "The Female Odd Couple" at the Waterfront. He also conducted last summer's children's theater workshop, "Lights Up On Kids" at the Waterfront. He's the artistic director of Keys Kids and has directed many productions at the high school. Vincent Zito (musical director) is the artistic director of the Key West Pops, where he recently conducted the concert version of Sondheim's "A Little Night Music" and also an evening of popular Broadway hits with local and guest performers. Michael Fauss (pianist) was the musical director for "Reefer Madness," "Urinetown" and "Naked Boys Singing!" at the Waterfront.

The performers are a who's who of the best of Key West. David Black is comfortable moving between musical theater, comedy and drama, as reflected in his many appearances on Key West stages. This season he appeared at the Waterfront in the highly praised "Doubt" as well as "Reefer Madness" and "The Red Head Dilemma." Laurie Breakwell appeared this season in the Key West Pops concert of "A Little Night Music" and "The Wild Women of Planet Wongo" at the Red Barn. Last season she appeared in the Barn's "Bark!" as well as the Pops' "The Pajama Game."

Kristen Michelle Bussiere was Mary Lane in the Waterfront's production of "Reefer Madness" as well as the Pops' version of "A Little Night Music." At PIP in Edison, NJ, she's appeared as Millie in "Thoroughly Modern Millie," Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz" and as Patty Andrews in "Sisters of Swing." Bruce Moore has appeared on every stage of Key West, and then some. Recent local appearances were in the Barn's "Sylvia" and "Bark!" In New York, he was in the Broadway productions of "Gypsy" with Tyne Daly, "Grease" with multiple stars and "My Fair Lady" with Richard Chamberlain.

Mary Falconer played Mae in "Reefer Madness" and was also in the Waterfront's production of "Urinetown" and "The Best Man." The Waterfront's technical director creates the unit set, with Carmen Rodriguez as the costume and prop designer, David Bird on lighting design and Trish Manley as stage manager. 

"Musical of Musicals" runs only 3 weeks - Tuesdays through Saturdays, May 6 through May 23, with a special curtain time of 8:30. Call the box office at 294-5015 or go online at www.WaterfrontPlayhouse.org to purchase tickets and to check out money saving discounts.

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