Photo Flash: 'BY JEEVES' at Meadow Brook Theatre
By: Eddie Varley Apr. 27, 2009
Press notes exclaim that "born of the imagination of P. G. Woodhouse, the "Jeeves" stories are perfect source material for a hit musical, so who better to turn it into one than Andrew Lloyd Webber? In conjunction with accomplished playwright Alan Ayckbourn, he brings bumbling Bertie Wooster and his unflappable manservant Jeeves to hysterical life on the stage. Bertie Wooster is looking forward to enlivening a charity benefit at a church hall, but his beloved banjo mysteriously goes missing. Assisted by Jeeves, he entertains the audience by improvising a musical with mistaken identities, forbidden love and a rollicking finale".
Meadow Brook Theatre welcomes director David Edwards, who was part of the "By Jeeves" Broadway cast. "I was offered the job of standby for four of the leading roles," explained Edwards. "I had a great time with the show and I'm excited to bring that experience here to Meadow Brook Theatre's stage. "By Jeeves", I thought, deserved another look, beyond Broadway, in a more intimate setting. A series of happy coincidences brought me to this marvelous group of collaborators at this wonderfully enterprising theatre."
The roles of Jeeves and Wooster are played by MBT favorites Paul Hopper and Joey Bybee, respectively. In addition, The cast includes Caitlin Burke (Honoria Glossop), Jamie Kolacki (Bingo Little), Mitchell Koory (Gussie Fink-Nottle), BJ Love (Sir Watkyn Bassett), Janet Caine (Madeline Bassett), Allison Hunt (Stiffy Byng), Rusty Mewha (Harold Pinker), Jason Richards (Cyrus Budge III) and Leo P. Carusone (Oswald Nutledge).
Leo P. Carusone is also the musical director, with additional musical staging by Stacy White. Terry W. Carpenter, Meadow Brook Theatre's associate director, is the stage manager. The design team includes: sets by Vincent Mountain, costumes by Liz Moore lighting by Reid G. Johnson and sound by Mike Duncan.
Tickets range from $24 to $39 and are available by calling the Meadow Brook Theatre box office at 248-377-3300 or online through TicketMaster at www.ticketmaster.com. Group discounts are available by calling 248-370-3316.
The schedule includes an audio-described performance on Saturday, May 2 at 2:00 p.m. and an American Sign Language interpreted performance on Wednesday, May 6 at 8:00 p.m.
"By Jeeves" is made possible though the generous sponsorship of Extended Stay Hotels, AT&T, the Meadow Brook Theatre Guild, the Observer and Eccentric Newspapers and the loyal patrons of Meadow Brook Theatre. Special thanks goes to TCF Banks for a grant to purchase new assistive listening devices, to ensure that everyone can enjoy the show.
For additional information on Meadow Brook Theatre, please visit www.mbtheatre.com. Meadow Brook Theatre is a non-profit, cultural institution serving southeast Michigan for over 40 years.
Photos by Rick Smith
B. J. Love (Sir Watkin Bassett) and Joey Bybee (Bertram Wooster)
Joey Bybee (Bertie Wooster) and Jamie Kolacki (Bingo Little)
Joey Bybee (Bertie Wooster) and Caitlin Burke (Honoria Glossop)
Joey Bybee (Bertie Wooster) and Allison Hunt (Stiffy Byng)
Mitchell Koory (Gussie Fink-Nottle) and Janet Caine (Madeline Bassett)
Allison Hunt (Stiffy Byng) and Rusty Mewha (Harold "Stinker" Pinker)
Jason Richards (Cyrus Budge III, Junior), Jamie Kolacki (Bingo Little) and Joey Bybee (Bertie Wooster)
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