Tinytypes: A Tony Nominated, Americana Musical
In Your Date Range
Location
Emmett Robinson Theatre in the Simons Center for the Arts
54 Saint Philip St., Charleston, SC
54 Saint Philip St., Charleston, SC
843.953.5604
The Department of Theatre in the College of Charleston School of the Arts will present the nostalgic, musical revue “Tintypes.” The production is a parade of nearly 50 musical numbers, celebrating and satirizing American life at the turn of the 20th century. “Tintypes” chronicles the growing pains of the nation, with themes of factory life, vaudeville and class conflict woven into the plot, sometimes in a humorous fashion. Audiences will witness the country’s history come alive in this musical greeting card from the past – a treat for the whole family! The Department of Theatre is proud to present “Tintypes” in honor of Marvin’s accomplished career and in celebration of the School of the Arts’ 20th anniversary.
The show will run Thursday, September 30 through Friday, October 1 with a second run from Sunday, October 3 – Wednesday, October 6. Curtain times will be at 8 p.m., except the Sunday show at 3 p.m. only. Performances will take place at the Emmett Robinson Theatre in the Simons Center for the Arts, 54 Saint Philip St.
Tickets may be purchased at the box office or by telephone (843) 953-5604. Admission is $15 for general admission and $10 for College of Charleston students, faculty and staff and senior citizens 60 and older. Season subscriptions are available. The “talkback” discussions with the cast and crew will take place opening night following the performance.
The story is told in the exuberant words and music of the pre-World War I era, featuring works by George M. Cohan, John Philip Sousa and Scott Joplin, among others, and includes a blend of patriotic songs, romantic tunes, and ragtime including “You’re A Grand Old Flag,” “Yankee Doodle Boy,” and “America the Beautiful.” The songs are strung together by the stories of five archetypal characters from that era played by College of Charleston theatre students: a Chaplin-esque immigrant played by Anthony Massarotto; socialist Emma Goldman portrayed by Emily Poff; an African-American domestic worker played by Rashida Beach; Teddy Roosevelt depicted by Nicholas Piccola; and Ziegfeld Follies star and pin-up girl, Anna Held, portrayed by Kacie Friedman.
The show was conceived by Mary Kyte, College of Charleston alumnus Mel Marvin, and Gary Pearle.
Originally, it was produced by the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. An off-Broadway production opened in 1980 at the York Theatre, and the Broadway production, directed by Pearle and choreographed by Kyte, opened later that year at the John Golden Theatre. It was nominated for Tony Awards for “Best Musical,” “Best Book of a Musical” and “Best Featured Actress in a Musical” (for Lynne Thigpen). It also won several Drama Desk Awards. In 2001, the production was revived on Broadway by Melting Pot Theater.
The director and Theatre Professor Emeritus Robert Ivey explains, “This small musical does wonders to present the origins of so many melodies that we have heard and hummed for years. It is a challenge to bring the characters of past eras to life and make them relate to many of our current cultural experiences.”
The production staff, in addition to director and choreographer Robert Ivey, includes music direction by Laura Turner, costume design by Ashley Blair, lighting design by John Olbrych and scenic design by Allen Lyndrup.
The show will run Thursday, September 30 through Friday, October 1 with a second run from Sunday, October 3 – Wednesday, October 6. Curtain times will be at 8 p.m., except the Sunday show at 3 p.m. only. Performances will take place at the Emmett Robinson Theatre in the Simons Center for the Arts, 54 Saint Philip St.
Tickets may be purchased at the box office or by telephone (843) 953-5604. Admission is $15 for general admission and $10 for College of Charleston students, faculty and staff and senior citizens 60 and older. Season subscriptions are available. The “talkback” discussions with the cast and crew will take place opening night following the performance.
The story is told in the exuberant words and music of the pre-World War I era, featuring works by George M. Cohan, John Philip Sousa and Scott Joplin, among others, and includes a blend of patriotic songs, romantic tunes, and ragtime including “You’re A Grand Old Flag,” “Yankee Doodle Boy,” and “America the Beautiful.” The songs are strung together by the stories of five archetypal characters from that era played by College of Charleston theatre students: a Chaplin-esque immigrant played by Anthony Massarotto; socialist Emma Goldman portrayed by Emily Poff; an African-American domestic worker played by Rashida Beach; Teddy Roosevelt depicted by Nicholas Piccola; and Ziegfeld Follies star and pin-up girl, Anna Held, portrayed by Kacie Friedman.
The show was conceived by Mary Kyte, College of Charleston alumnus Mel Marvin, and Gary Pearle.
Originally, it was produced by the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. An off-Broadway production opened in 1980 at the York Theatre, and the Broadway production, directed by Pearle and choreographed by Kyte, opened later that year at the John Golden Theatre. It was nominated for Tony Awards for “Best Musical,” “Best Book of a Musical” and “Best Featured Actress in a Musical” (for Lynne Thigpen). It also won several Drama Desk Awards. In 2001, the production was revived on Broadway by Melting Pot Theater.
The director and Theatre Professor Emeritus Robert Ivey explains, “This small musical does wonders to present the origins of so many melodies that we have heard and hummed for years. It is a challenge to bring the characters of past eras to life and make them relate to many of our current cultural experiences.”
The production staff, in addition to director and choreographer Robert Ivey, includes music direction by Laura Turner, costume design by Ashley Blair, lighting design by John Olbrych and scenic design by Allen Lyndrup.
