Musical theatre presents 'Beautiful, Beautiful World' revue

By Alec Jennings
University News Service
March 5, 2010

The acclaimed works of Jerry Boch and Sheldon Harnick will be featured at Texas State University-San Marcos in an originally produced musical revue entitled Beautiful, Beautiful World.

Produced by the Department of Theatre and Dance, the revue will be held March 17-20 and 23-27 at 7:30 p.m., and March 21-28 at 2 p.m., in the PSH Foundation Studio Theatre in the Texas State Theatre Center. Additionally, a pre-show cabaret will be performed in the lobby of the Theatre Center approximately 45 minutes prior to each show.

The works of Boch and Harnick include She Loves Me, Fiddler on the Roof, The Apple Tree and Fiorello. Kaitlin Hopkins, director of the performance and head of musical theatre at Texas State, collaborated with Harnick and Boch to create this musical revue that debuted at the William Inge Festival in 2007. Hopkins said student contributions make it an especially meaningful event.

"So many of their shows have not just had a significant impact on musical theater as an art form but have literally helped define it," said Hopkins. "We all created this show together and that was something that appealed to the creative team and the students. We used songs from the musicals written by Boch and Harnick but the evening itself—how we present and interpret those songs in every area—is something we created. The final product is a totally original show that has never been done before. That is exciting."

Tickets will go on sale beginning 10 a.m. March 8 at the Texas State box office. For further information, please contact the Department of Theatre and Dance at (512) 245-2147.