Photo Flash: First Look at History Theatre's THE WORKING BOYS BAND World Premiere
By: BWW News Desk May. 02, 2014
History Theatre produces the world premiere of a new musical by local artists Dominic Orlando (book and lyrics) and the late Hiram Titus (composer). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show below!
The Working Boys Band tells the story of Professor C.C. Heintzeman, a German-born educator who believed in the power of music to give structure and purpose to people's lives, especially for the children who worked in the mills and factories of Minneapolis in the years before Child Labor Laws. The story of the Minneapolis Working Boys Band and its founder was suggested to History Theatre back in 2010 when Titus handed a photo of the band circa 1915 and his first draft of the opening number to artistic director Ron Peluso. In September of 2013, Titus submitted the show's finale just days before suffering a fatal cardiac arrest; Raymond Berg joined the team to finish the musical arrangements.
The Working Boys Band was part of History Theatre's 2013 RAW STAGES New Works Festival and a Next Stages workshop in the summer of 2013. The world premiere is produced in partnership with McNally Smith College of Music, MacPhail Center for Music, and Walker West Music Academy, and will feature actors Jon Andrew Hegge, Kendall Anne Thompson, Martin Ruben, Randy Schmeling, Carl Schoenborn, Jen Burleigh-Bentz, Christian Bardin, and the recipient of the 2013 Ivey Award for Emerging Artist, Ricardo Vázquez.They will be joined by a band and ensemble made up of Joshua Harrison, Keegan L. Robinson, Jack Alexander, Mary Bair, Elyse Barnard, Charlie Couture, Nic Delcambre, Shelby Ernst, Jonah Harrison, Atlee Jensen, Izzy Karr, Rory Mitchell, and Raphael Ruggero.
Performances run at the History Theatre, 30 East Tenth Street, St. Paul, MN. Call the History Theatre Box Office at 651.292.4323 or go online.
Photo Credit: Scott Pakudaitis
Franky (Ricardo Vazquez) talks back to the Professor during a band rehearsal to show off in front of the other boys (l to r, front row: Elyse Barnard, Jonah Harrison, Joshua Harrison; second row: Jack Alexander, Shelby Ernst; back row: Mary Bair, Atlee Jensen, Rory Mitchell, Charles Couture)
Professor C.C.Heintzeman (Jon Andrew Hegge) is confident that Andy (Christian Bardin) will be able to lead the band in the Loyalty Day Parade
Bjorn (Keegan L. Robinson) gets a visit in the hospital from his friends in the boys band (l to r: Christian Bardin, Kendall Anne Thompson, Nic Delcambre, Izzy Karr, Ricardo Vazquez) after an accident at work
A.W. Warnock (Randy Schmeling) points out to the boys (l to r, front row: Jonah Harrison, Joshua Harrison, Izzy Karr; second row: Jack Alexander, Shelby Ernst; standing: Rory Mitchell, Chalres Couture) that 'all boys are working boys'
Franky (Richardo Vazquez) stands up for Professor C.C. Heintzeman (Jon Andrew Hegge, left) is bullied by the Commission for Public Safety and Mrs. T.G. Winter (Jen Burleigh-Bentz, right)
Harriet (Kendall Anne Thompson) is questioned by Mrs. T.G. Winter (Jen Burleigh-Bentz) and must decide between telling the truth or protecting one of the boys
The boys, let by Andy (Christian Bardin) encourage Professor C.C. Heintzeman to have faith in himself and them
Professor C.C.Heintzeman (Jon Andrew Hegge) gets the boys fired up for the Loyalty Day Parade
The boys band, led by drum major Andy (Christian Bardin) rehearse for the Loyalty Day Parade
Professor C.C.Heintzeman (Jon Andrew Hegge) and Harriet (Kendall Anne Thompson) oversee the final rehearsal before the Loyalty Day Parade
Above Harriet (Kendall Anne Thompson) and Professor C.C. Heintzeman (Jon Andrew Hegge) talk about the working boys band while below, Andy (Christian Bardin) and Franky (Ricardo Vazquez) relax in the moonlight
Andy (Christian Bardin) sings about feeling the effects of the moonlight with Franky (Ricardo Vazquez)
A messenger boy (Raphael Ruggero) holds out for a tip from A. W. Warnock (Randy Schmeling)
Harriet (Kendall Anne Thompson) consols Andy (Christian Bardin) after an awkward encounter with Franky
Specators (l to r: Carl Schoenborn, Jen Burleigh-Bentz, Kendall Anne Thompson, Randy Schmeling, and Martin Ruben) watch the Loyalty Day Parade of 1917
Franky (Ricardo Vazquez) marches with his unit of newly drafted soldiers in the Loyalty Day Parade of 1917
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