NewsPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Behind the Scenes With Will Reynolds and 5th Avenue Theatre's A Room with a View MusicalThe 5th Avenue Theatre presents the new romantic musical A Room with a View. Cast member Will Reynolds (Passion) documented the preview process leading up to an April 30 opening night.
By
Matthew Blank
April 29, 2014
Based on the E.M. Forster novel that inspired the Merchant Ivory film of the same name, the musical, which was conceived by Marc Acito, features music and lyrics by Jeffrey Stock and a book by Acito. Performances continue through May 11.
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PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Behind the Scenes With Will Reynolds and 5th Avenue Theatre's A Room with a View Musical
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Behind the Scenes With Will Reynolds and 5th Avenue Theatre's A Room with a View Musical
The 5th Avenue Theatre presents the new romantic musical A Room with a View. Cast member Will Reynolds (Passion) documented the preview process leading up to an April 30 opening night.
34 PHOTOS
Welcome to Seattle, Playbill.com!
Will Reynolds
Can't forget the umbrella! My hotel is right across from a little park with these columns and flowers that are just starting to figure it out.
Will Reynolds
After a first preview, we thought the company earned some doughnuts. In Seattle, it's Top Pot. With Rich Gray (who plays the right reverend Beeber).
Will Reynolds
Our marquee!
Will Reynolds
Sign in and sign a few posters ...
Will Reynolds
Down to the stage, the hallways are lined with these fantastic bricks from productions throughout the years. Inspiring.
Will Reynolds
It's ... not a small house.
Will Reynolds
Here we go! After some notes from director, David Armstrong, we hit the stage with new pages that will be going into the show tonight. *Gulp*
Will Reynolds
Luckily, there is Lucky, the official mascot of A Room With a View. He's also our book writer's dog.
Will Reynolds
After the audience clears out, the tech tables go back up! Above - our incredible music team, led by maestro Ian Eisendrath. Below, our brilliant creative team - Marc Acito (book) David Armstrong (director), and Jeffrey Stock (music & lyrics.)
Will Reynolds
It's lonely in the pit during the day ... say hi to the wonderful Daniel Butman (associate music director)!
Will Reynolds
We rehearse for 5 hours before the evening show - when we aren't being used in a particular scene, we *METICULOUSLY* hone our craft.
Will Reynolds
This is Lee. He lives inside this column all night. He's awesome.
Will Reynolds
Here's David Armstrong taking a look at the iconic field of violets scene from the book & movie - Louis Hobson (George) and Laura Griffith (Lucy) are melting hearts nightly.
Will Reynolds
While they melt hearts, let's take a look around backstage. First, look up! Terrifying things are dangling above our heads - like 2 different pianos and an authentic carriage. Not scary. At all.
Will Reynolds
Hidden amongst the post cards is a sneaky blood packet. This show has everything.
Will Reynolds
Let it be known that I am a THUG. Well, in one scene.
Checking back on stage - they're mopping up after the infamous/hilarious skinny dipping scene - Walt Spangler, our set designer, has outdone himself with this pond. There's a water fight every night!
Will Reynolds
Here's Marc Acito (book) trying out a new joke on Matt Owen (Freddie Honeychurch). And here's me stabbing Matt for getting an additional laugh line. Did I mention I play a thug?
Will Reynolds
After rehearsal, the music copyists race against the clock to get all the changes on the orchestras' stands by curtain!
Will Reynolds
On dinner break, let's head down to Pike's Place Public Market. Another reason to love Seattle!
Will Reynolds
Back to work ... it's 1/2 hour!
Will Reynolds
Places! Here's our fantastic production stage manager, Amy Gornet - calling the show from stage right.
Will Reynolds
So, In the first 25 minutes of Act One, I play 3 other characters before I get to play the deliciously awful Ceclil Vyse for the rest of the night. 2 Italians (can you guess which one is the thug??) and a little old lady. Okay, a 6'2" old lady.
Will Reynolds
Well ... it turns out that my little old lady is kicking the bucket, due to a rewrite. That's showbiz! So tonight, we mourn the loss of Teresa Alan. Her "sister" ... isn't taking it well. (With Rich Gray and Matt Owen)
Will Reynolds
I call this "Cecil, waiting - with almonds."
Will Reynolds
But some characters don't die, they just have sex changes. He goes in the show tomorrow night!
Will Reynolds
At the end of Act One, the company sings offstage while George (Louis Hobson) gets rained on. Okay, NOW this show has everything.
Will Reynolds
Places for Act Two - this love triangle is about to get REAL. (With Louis Hobson and Laura Griffith.)
Will Reynolds
So, after my final scene, I won't say what happens, but let's just say I have to return a certain wedding ring to a certain leading lady's dressing room. I accompany it with a lil' note each night, from Cecil.
Will Reynolds
Michael Van Duzer from the L.A. Actors' Equity office came to check in on the show, and happened to have an official Equity Deputy badge for me. Actors - be deputy at least once, learn about your union!
Will Reynolds
I just want to take a moment to say that the Seattle theater community has been incredibly warm and welcoming.
Will Reynolds
After a long day, it's time for some throat coat and maybe shot of garlic (no understudies! .... and also in case of vampires.) Good night from Seattle! Thanks for stopping by - opening night is April 30th!
Directed by David Armstrong, Laura Griffith (South Pacific, The Light in the Piazza) and Louis Hobson (Next to Normal, Bonnie & Clyde) star as Lucy and George, respectively. The cast also includes Patti Cohenour (The Sound of Music, The Phantom of the Opera), Jadd Davis (Sweeney Todd, Cabaret), Allen Fitzpatrick (Driving Miss Daisy, Les Misérables), Richard Gray (First Date, Spamalot), Suzy Hunt (Grey Gardens, Singin’ in the Rain), Matt Owen (Elf, Spamalot), Will Reynolds (Love Story, Emma) and Jenny Shotwell (Pirates of Penzance, Titanic).
"Set in the 'Downton Abbey' era — a world of privilege and tradition on the precipice of change — A Room with a View tells the story of the very proper Lucy Honeychurch," press notes state. "During a vacation in Florence, Lucy's whole life is turned upside down when she unexpectedly falls in love with the handsome and rebellious George Emerson, a man beneath her class. Torn between love and duty, Lucy soon learns that sometimes love is worth breaking all the rules. As in the novel and film, this new musical includes a lively, non-sexual skinny dipping scene."
"A Room with a View is one of the most beautiful musicals I've encountered," executive producer and artistic director David Armstrong said in a previous statement. "Following in the footsteps of musicals like Memphis and A Christmas Story, A Room with a View is getting a second life at The 5th, and with the support, experience, and dedication of our artistic staff, I believe this show could have a very bright future ahead of it." Musical arrangements for A Room with a View are by Jeffrey Stock. The creative team includes set designer Walt Spangler, lighting designer Tom Sturge, sound designer Ken Travis, costume designer Deborah Trout and hair and makeup designer Mary Pyanowski Jones. Additional staff includes associate director Makaela Pollock, associate music director Christopher D. Littlefield, dialect coach Judith Shahn, assistant lighting designers Kent Cubbage and Tristan Roberson and costume design assistant Michelle Terese Grimm.
Tickets and more information are available by calling (206) 625-1900 or visiting 5thavenue.org.
