PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "Love Means..." A Two-Show Day With Love Story, the Musical Stars Will Reynolds and Alexandra Silber | Playbill

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Photos PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "Love Means..." A Two-Show Day With Love Story, the Musical Stars Will Reynolds and Alexandra Silber Spend a day at Philly's Walnut Street Theatre with Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds, who star in the American premiere of Love Story, the Musical. Follow them en route to the theatre and learn the various methods and exercises required to bring Jenny Cavilleri and Oliver Barrett IV to life.

By Matthew Blank

October 04, 2012

"Well hello Playbill. Alexandra ('Al') Silber and Will Reynolds here, straight from Philadelphia's historic Walnut Street Theatre," said the pair in a joint statement. "For us, playing Jenny 'snotty Radcliffe bitch' Cavilleri and Oliver 'preppy Harvard bastard' Barrett IV-- lovers of such notoriety-- has been a tall order, but also nothing short of a joy."

"That said:

1. Interestingly, it is in fact, *not* always sunny in Philadelphia.

2. It HAS been 'hot as hell-- in Philadel-PHIA.' 3. This show isn't about 'brotherly love...'

. Love DOES mean having to say you're sorry. All. The. Time."

PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "Love Means..." A Two-Show Day With Love Story, the Musical Stars Will Reynolds and Alexandra Silber

Welcome all! Will Reynolds and Al Silber here, giving you a glimpse behind-the-scenes of a two-show day here at <i>Love Story The Musical</i> at Walnut Street Theatre. <br> NOTE: Serious business ahead. — PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "Love Means..." A Two-Show Day With Love Story, the Musical Stars Will Reynolds and Alexandra Silber

Spend a day at the historic Walnut Street Theatre with Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds, who star in the American premiere of Love Story, the Musical. Follow them en route to the theatre and learn the various methods and exercises required to bring Jenny Cavilleri and Oliver Barrett IV to life. Read the Playbill.com story.
43 PHOTOS

Welcome all! Will Reynolds and Al Silber here, giving you a glimpse behind-the-scenes of a two-show day here at <i>Love Story The Musical</i> at Walnut Street Theatre. <br> NOTE: Serious business ahead. — Welcome all! Will Reynolds and Al Silber here, giving you a glimpse behind-the-scenes of a two-show day here at Love Story The Musical at Walnut Street Theatre.
NOTE: Serious business ahead.

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

At rise: The Hotel. Morning. Philadelphia.<br> Will's body is his temple. <br> Al's body runs on strong coffee. <br> ...Opposites attract. — At rise: The Hotel. Morning. Philadelphia.
Will's body is his temple.
Al's body runs on strong coffee.
...Opposites attract.

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

[At rise: City Hall. The walk to work…]<p> WILL: LOOK AL! LOOK! HISTORY!!! <br> AL: Um...Will...we...have places to *be*... — [At rise: City Hall. The walk to work…]
WILL: LOOK AL! LOOK! HISTORY!!!
AL: Um...Will...we...have places to *be*...

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

AL: Just a quiiiiiiiick stop at the paper store. I'll be quick. Promise. <br> WILL: And by "quick" means you mean "slow" and by "promise" you mean "pack of paper lies." — AL: Just a quiiiiiiiick stop at the paper store. I'll be quick. Promise.
WILL: And by "quick" means you mean "slow" and by "promise" you mean "pack of paper lies."

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

I mean... we *had* to... — I mean... we *had* to...

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

We made it! <br> Us and John Wilkes Booth…<p> ...too soon...? — We made it!
Us and John Wilkes Booth…
...too soon...?

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

WOOHOO!<p> (PS: We have no idea who those people in the cover art are, but we call them "Brad" and "Allison...") — WOOHOO!
(PS: We have no idea who those people in the cover art are, but we call them "Brad" and "Allison...")

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

View from the stage.<br> or, <br> *WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS...* — View from the stage.
or,
*WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS...*

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

It is not Sunday unless it is DOLLAR $UNDAY! [Disclaimer: Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds do not condone gambling.] — It is not Sunday unless it is DOLLAR $UNDAY! [Disclaimer: Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds do not condone gambling.]

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

We begin our warm-up with a "game" developed by PR that we commandeered. <p> It includes the lobbing of tomatoes and garlic... at our likeness... — We begin our warm-up with a "game" developed by PR that we commandeered.
It includes the lobbing of tomatoes and garlic... at our likeness...

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

So... every day, Will's character Oliver gets so upset he throws a phone…<p> ...this would be what we call the "Phone Graveyard"... because that's right... there's a new phone every show... — So... every day, Will's character Oliver gets so upset he throws a phone…
...this would be what we call the "Phone Graveyard"... because that's right... there's a new phone every show...

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

We have a lot of props, and a great crew to organize all of them! — We have a lot of props, and a great crew to organize all of them!

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

A show like ours requires following each others' every move.<br> Following each others' every move means MIRROR EXERCISES. — A show like ours requires following each others' every move.
Following each others' every move means MIRROR EXERCISES.

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

A show like ours requires quick instincts.<br> Quick instincts means ZIP ZAP ZOP. — A show like ours requires quick instincts.
Quick instincts means ZIP ZAP ZOP.

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

A show like ours requires trust.<br> Trust means TRUST FALLS. — A show like ours requires trust.
Trust means TRUST FALLS.

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

A show like ours requires sexiness.<br> Sexiness means HIS AND HERS KIMONOS. — A show like ours requires sexiness.
Sexiness means HIS AND HERS KIMONOS.

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

Al likes to read a love quotation over the monitor before every matinee-- just to get us all in the mood…<p> ...and in case you were concerned that "in the mood" means just quotes from Plato, Baudelaire and Helen Keller FEAR NOT...this week's offering — Al likes to read a love quotation over the monitor before every matinee-- just to get us all in the mood…
...and in case you were concerned that "in the mood" means just quotes from Plato, Baudelaire and Helen Keller FEAR NOT...this week's offering wa

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

Everything it takes to make a "Jenny" — Everything it takes to make a "Jenny"

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

We both have a lot of hair. <br> Hair is a very important part of the show.<br> And acting. <br> Let's be real about that. — We both have a lot of hair.
Hair is a very important part of the show.
And acting.
Let's be real about that.

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

Al makes Will report to her dressing room daily, for she has made it very clear that she cannot have fake Sexy Time with Will if his curl isn't in perfectly coiffed place... Will, thus, coaches his hair into submission. His fake sex life depends on it. — Al makes Will report to her dressing room daily, for she has made it very clear that she cannot have fake Sexy Time with Will if his curl isn't in perfectly coiffed place... Will, thus, coaches his hair into submission. His fake sex life depends on it.

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

Daily shave! (There is a lot of kissing--and no one likes a rug-burn...) — Daily shave! (There is a lot of kissing--and no one likes a rug-burn...)

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

Next Slide

YIKES. <br> [*pause*]<br> Neither are wigs, folks! It may start out rough, but the coiff sure cleans up nicely! — YIKES.
[*pause*]
Neither are wigs, folks! It may start out rough, but the coiff sure cleans up nicely!

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

"You and me!"<p> A quick "Places" check-in. — "You and me!"
A quick "Places" check-in.

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

Danielle, Lisa and Sarah open our show in beautifully tight harmony, so everyday before places they gather in the bathroom to sort it out... today... things are, uh, looking a little rough.. — Danielle, Lisa and Sarah open our show in beautifully tight harmony, so everyday before places they gather in the bathroom to sort it out... today... things are, uh, looking a little rough..

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

Everyday, we cook pasta. live. onstage. with propane gas. and onions and peppers and garlic. and sharp sharp knives. <p> Al juggles. It happens. This is a shot from our very first attempt! — Everyday, we cook pasta. live. onstage. with propane gas. and onions and peppers and garlic. and sharp sharp knives.
Al juggles. It happens. This is a shot from our very first attempt!

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

Cast members gather daily to partake and judge the day's offerings... — Cast members gather daily to partake and judge the day's offerings...

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

...aaaaand sometimes it gets a little intense... — ...aaaaand sometimes it gets a little intense...

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

After the show, we have a post-show cuddle. It became our first ever Saturday Intermission Picture... "But we don't HAVE an intermission!" we cried! — After the show, we have a post-show cuddle. It became our first ever Saturday Intermission Picture... "But we don't HAVE an intermission!" we cried!

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

Sensible between-shows nap on the hospital bed... — Sensible between-shows nap on the hospital bed...

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

...sensible onstage "Insanity" workout with Charles Hagerty. — ...sensible onstage "Insanity" workout with Charles Hagerty.

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

...now off to the park for a quick stroll! — ...now off to the park for a quick stroll!

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

The rest of our time is usually spent signing posters… mostly for us. — The rest of our time is usually spent signing posters… mostly for us.

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

We like to have one or two hour notes sessions before the second show... most of the notes are for Al... some are for Will but most are for Al. We wanna try some of that "less is more acting." Insert "Waiting for Guffman" quote. — We like to have one or two hour notes sessions before the second show... most of the notes are for Al... some are for Will but most are for Al. We wanna try some of that "less is more acting." Insert "Waiting for Guffman" quote.

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

A quick visit upstairs to our Dads! Paul Nolan and Charles Pistone have a whoooooole THING going on. — A quick visit upstairs to our Dads! Paul Nolan and Charles Pistone have a whoooooole THING going on.

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

...During the show, there is a *lot* of panicked running down the hall... — ...During the show, there is a *lot* of panicked running down the hall...

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

Hockey quick change madness!!! — Hockey quick change madness!!!

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

Our Stage Management Team enjoys scoring what we like to call "Sexy Time" (aka the love-making scene... buuuut we call it Sexy Time...) OLYMPICS STYLE. <p> Don't know what that 4.3 is about... must've been the dismount... — Our Stage Management Team enjoys scoring what we like to call "Sexy Time" (aka the love-making scene... buuuut we call it Sexy Time...) OLYMPICS STYLE.
Don't know what that 4.3 is about... must've been the dismount...

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

...we *ALSO* like to score each others' performances-- just to keep things "real." — ...we *ALSO* like to score each others' performances-- just to keep things "real."

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

Another post-show cuddle-fest. <p> [we took to the hospital bed....*naturally*....] — Another post-show cuddle-fest.
[we took to the hospital bed....*naturally*....]

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

And, if things get really rough... there is always SCOTCH. Luckily, and by utter coincidence, Will and I have the same favorite Scotch.... creepy.<p> [DISCLAIMER: ALEXANDRA SILBER AND WILL REYNOLDS ENCOURAGE YOU TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY.] — And, if things get really rough... there is always SCOTCH. Luckily, and by utter coincidence, Will and I have the same favorite Scotch.... creepy.
[DISCLAIMER: ALEXANDRA SILBER AND WILL REYNOLDS ENCOURAGE YOU TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY.]

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

As we leave the theatre... we take one last glance…<p> ::LOVE STORY THEME::<p> ...we can't--well LOOK: we just can't help ourselves. — As we leave the theatre... we take one last glance…
::LOVE STORY THEME::
...we can't--well LOOK: we just can't help ourselves.

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

We walk home together every night. It's pretty gross. — We walk home together every night. It's pretty gross.

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

Bye Playbill! Thanks for joining us! We're gonna go home and live text the Lifetime movie from our respective hotel rooms. It's gonna be great.<p> ::LOVE STORY THEME::<p> ::CURTAIN:: — Bye Playbill! Thanks for joining us! We're gonna go home and live text the Lifetime movie from our respective hotel rooms. It's gonna be great.
::LOVE STORY THEME::
::CURTAIN::

Alexandra Silber and Will Reynolds

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Direction and musical staging are by Annabel Bolton, who worked on the original English production. The run plays to Oct. 21 on the WST Mainstage.

The show — which premiered at Chichester's Minerva Theatre in June 2010 before moving to London's West End in December 2012 — features music by Howard Goodall, book by Stephen Clark and lyrics by Clark and Goodall.

"Inspired by Erich Segal's best-selling iconic novel of the same name, and one of the most romantic films of all time, this life-affirming musical will have audiences remembering the first time they fell in love," according to WST notes. "When Oliver Barrett IV wanders into a library in search of a book, he discovers Jenny Cavilleri. They came from different worlds. He was a Harvard man, she was Radcliffe. He was rich, she was poor. But they fell in love. This is their story."

Musical and vocal direction are by Douglass G. Lutz. The creative team also includes set designer Peter McKintosh, lighting designer Shon Causer, costume designer Colleen Grady and sound designer Will Pickens.

The cast includes Charles Pistone as Phil Cavilleri, Jane Labanz as Alison, Paul L. Nolan as Oliver Barrett III, plus Pierce Cravens, Lisa Marie Gargione, Sarah Gliko, Charles Hagerty, Danielle Herbert, John Jarboe and Scott Langdon.

For tickets and information, call (215) 574-3550 or (800) 982-2787. Tickets are also available by visiting WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com.