Lees-McRae Theatre Arts season to return with 1960s musical “Sweet Charity”
Fans of romcoms, classical musical theatre, and Bob Fosse choreography will not want to miss the first production of the season from Lees-McRae Theatre Arts, “Sweet Charity.” While it was initially delayed due to Hurricane Helene, the show will make it to the stage Thursday, Nov. 21 through Sunday, Nov. 24.
The dance-forward musical tells the story of Charity, a taxi dancer in 1960s New York City who is looking for love in all the wrong places.
“The tagline from the beginning of the show has been, ‘The adventures of a girl who wanted to be loved,’” junior Musical Theatre major LillyRuth Beck, who plays the titular role, said. “It’s basically about how this young woman finds her way in these different relationships, and how she bounces back. I think it’s a testament to who we are as humans.”
The show first premiered in 1966, and the music, style, and spirit of the show anchors itself in that era. Perhaps the strongest tie to the 60s and that classic era of musical theatre, is the choreography by iconic actor, choreographer, and dancer Bob Fosse.
While the setting is distinct, according to Beck, the story of the show, and Charity as a character, are timeless.
“Something I was nervous about is that people were not going to connect with it as much as if they were watching it in the 60s when it was made. After reading it and dissecting it more, it is absolutely adaptable for a modern-day audience,” she said. “I think anyone who is a fan of a good, old-fashioned golden age musical will absolutely adore it, but I also think that any young person who is trying to figure out who they are—any young woman who sees Charity in themselves—I think this will touch them and I hope that will linger after they leave the theater.”
Junior Theatre Arts major Gracie Spoon who plays Nickie, one of Charity’s best friends and fellow taxi dancers, agrees that the heart of the show will resonate with all audience members.
“It’s a well-rounded show for audience members of different ages. Since it’s a very classic, golden-age musical, I think a lot of the 50-plus age group will like it because there was a movie and a musical, and that age group probably knows it the best,” Spoon said. “It can be geared toward the young college-aged people trying to find love, because they know how that can sometimes go down the crapper and sometimes be good.”
While the show dives into the seemingly universal struggles of looking for love and trying to find oneself along the way, it is also imbued with a sense of hope and a positive outlook on life that Beck and Spoon hope will leave the audience smiling.
“I hope that they take away how optimistic the entire story is and put that into their daily life,” Beck said. “A lot of these characters are eternal optimists, and they know that this feeling is temporary, and that change will happen. I hope that audiences take that away with them, and I hope they leave smiling, because it’s just a joyful piece of art.”
There will be three evening performances of “Sweet Charity” at 7 p.m. on November 21, 22, and 23, along with one matinee performance on Sunday, Nov. 24 at 2 p.m. All performances will be held in Hayes Auditorium on the college’s North Campus.
Tickets for all showings of the production are on sale now and can be purchased online or in-person at the box office in Hayes Auditorium. Tickets purchased for the previous dates, which were cancelled due to the storm, will be honored for the rescheduled run of the show.
