Music Theatre West Opens to Enthusiastic Audience
Music Theatre West Opens to Enthusiastic Audience
Well-known LDS composer/performer Jay Richards has taken his love of musical theatre to the next level. As founding director of a new music theatre company - Music Theatre West – Richards business philosophy is centered on family values onstage as well as backstage. “We wrote ‘positive & uplifting’ into our bylaws.” says Richards of the new company. “I want this to be the best theatre experience possible, both for the actors and the audience. I spent too many years fighting the negative environment that seems to pervade the theatre world. I wanted to change that – and in the director’s chair, I’m finally in a position to do that.”
Judging by the public response, the idea was a good one. MTW’s first show, The King & I (with Richards in the role of the king) was a far greater success than anticipated. “People would come out of the show and stand in line to buy tickets for the next night.”
Audiences weren’t alone; the cast was equally impressed: “…I didn’t know theatre could be like this - I have never been treated with such respect in any show I’ve done…”
Leads and chorus alike are lining up for next season’s
auditions on May 7th (see the website for audition and ticket details–www.musictheatrewest.org).
The 2007-2008 season will include Richards’ original
musical version of Little Women (October) and The Sound of Music (February). Read more
