A Sign of the Times, a new musical that uses songs made famous by 1960s pop sensation Petula Clark “and other hit-makers of the day,” begins performances July 29 at Goodspeed's Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, CT.
Running through September 4, the show has an original story by Richard Robin and an original book by comedy writer Bruce Vilanch. The score includes such period hits as “Downtown,” “Call Me,” “Don't Sleep in the Subway” and “The Boy From New York City.”
Gabriel Barre directs the musical, which tells the story of a young woman named Cindy who comes to New York in 1965. According to production notes, “Unexpected friends, lovers, careers, and conflicts are all a subway ride away in a pop-fueled new musical. Forget all your troubles, forget all your cares—go ‘Downtown’ and find out who you are!”
Cindy is played by Ephie Aardema, who appeared in the Broadway production of The Bridges of Madison County and Goodspeed’s Terris Theatre production of Snapshots. Robert Lenzi from Broadway’s Tuck Everlasting and South Pacific plays Brian. Also in the cast: Bryan Fenkart (Broadway’s Memphis), Nick Bailey (Broadway's Casa Valentina) and Crystal Lucas-Perry (Little Children Dream of God at the Roundabout Theatre).
The ensemble includes Lauren Boyd (Broadway’s West Side Story), Lauren Nicole Chapman (Broadway’s Kinky Boots), Melessie Clark, Drew Franklin (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at Goodspeed and Broadway’s Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella), Jeremy Gaston, Alexandra Matteo (Broadway’s Annie), Keven Quillon (Broadway’s Grease, Shrek the Musical and Annie), Kevin Santos, Dave Schoonover and Alet Taylor.
Other creative team credits: choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter, scenic design by Paul Tate dePoo lII, costumes by Jennifer Caprio, lighting design by Ken Billington, projection design by Benjamin Pearcy, sound design by Jay Hilton and music direction by Rick Fox.
Tickets are available through the Box Office (860) 873-8668 or on-line at Goodspeed.org.
Here are the songs used in the show, along with the artist who recorded them and who wrote them:
“Color My World,” Sung by Petula Clark, Written by Yvonne J. Harvey and Tony Hatch
“I Couldn’t Live Without Your Love,” Sung by Petula Clark, Written by Yvonne J. Harvey and Tony Hatch
“I Only Want To Be With You,” Sung by Dusty Springfield, Written by Michael Edwin Hawker and Ivor Raymonde
“The Other Man’s Grass Is Always Greener,” Sung by Petula Clark, Written by Yvonne J. Harvey and Tony Hatch
“I Know A Place,” Sung by Petula Clark, Written by Tony Hatch
“Turn Back The Hands Of Time,” Sung by Tyrone Davis, Written by Jack Daniels and Bonnie Thompson
“Round Every Corner,” Sung by Petula Clark, Written by Tony Hatch
“Baby The Rain Must Fall,” Sung by Glenn Yarbrough, Written by Elmer Bernstein and Ernie Sheldon
“Five O'Clock World,” Sung by The Vogues, Written by Allen Reynolds
“Call Me,” Sung by Petula Clark, Written by Tony Hatch
“These Boots Are Made For Walkin',” Sung by Nancy Sinatra, Written by Lee Hazlewood
“Rescue Me,” Sung by Fontella Bass, Written by Raynard Miner and Carl William Smith
“The Boy From New York City,” Sung by The Ad Libs, Written by John Taylor and George Davis
“If I Can Dream,” Sung by Elvis Presley, Written by Earl Brown
“Who Am I,” Sung by Petula Clark, Written by Yvonne J. Harvey and Tony Hatch
“The In Crowd,” Sung by Petula Clark, Written by Billy Page
“A Sign Of The Times,” Sung by Petula Clark, Written by Tony Hatch
“It's In His Kiss,” Sung by Betty Everett, Written by Rudy Clark
“Society's Child,” Sung by Janis Ian, Written by Janis Ian
“Don't Sleep In The Subway,” Sung by Petula Clark, Written by Yvonne J. Harvey and Tony Hatch
“You'd Better Come Home,” Sung by Petula Clark, Written by Tony Hatch
“You Don't Own Me,” Sung by Lesley Gore, Written by John Madara and David White
“Kiss Me Goodbye,” Sung by Petula Clark, Written by John Barry Mason and Leslie David Reed
“Downtown,” Sung by Petula Clark, Written by Tony Hatch
