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Event
Floyd Collins
American Rep Theater of WNY Presents
FLOYD COLLINS
Music & Lyrics by Adam Guettel
Book by Tina Landau
Buffalo East
1410 Main Street
Buffalo, NY
Featuring Steve Copps; James R Finan; Courtney Weather; Pamela Rose Mangus; Adam Yellen; Gary Darling; Josh Synder; Victor Morales; Dudney E Joseph; Erin Brignone; Christopher Andreana; Richard Kraemer; Steven E Sitzan
Directed by Jeffrey Coyle
Musical Director Allan Paglia
As part of the Curtain Up! celebration and kicking-off the 2011-12 season, American Rep Theater of WNY proudly presents the musical FLOYD COLLINS from September 16th to October 2nd at Buffalo East, 1410 Main Street, Buffalo. With music and lyrics by Tony Award winning composer, Adam Guettel and book by Tina Landua, this true American story brought to life through music is compelling, uplifting and intense as patrons witness the events surrounding "The Greatest Cave Explorer Ever" attempts to find fortune, glory and "no more ploughing a hard-gravel field" luck.
Director Jeffery Coyle described FLOYD COLLINS as being "a show, at it's core, about dreams and family relationships. It is at times touching, funny, and exciting. It is a local premier and an excellent example of what modern musical theatre is." An BFA graduate in musical theater from UB and no stranger to WNY stage, FLOYD COLLINS marks Jeffrey Coyle's debut as a director. "Besides acting, I have stage managed, worked behind the scenes, and recently wrote and produced my own stage work," said Coyle, "FLOYD COLLINS marks my first journey into professional theatre direction. It is my first time behind the wheel, so to speak, and I couldn't ask for a more beautiful, exciting piece to cut my teeth on."
The true story of Floyd Collins begins in the Mammoth Caves of Kentucky where Collins set-out to discover and easier way of entering these caves from his family owned Crystal Cave tourist attraction. On his way out he became trapped in a narrow-passage and after numerous attempts to rescue him was cut-off from rescue after the cave collapsed. After 17 days of failed rescued attempts, Floyd Collins died as a result of exposure and starvation.
The rescue attempts became an overnight media sensation and with this a circus-like tourist attraction setup around the cave's entrance. Steve Copps, who portrays Collins in the musical, explained that "the story of Floyd Collins is actually one of the most noteworthy news stories of the (early) 20th century behind WWI, WWII, and Lindbergh's flight across the Atlantic." Copps said. "Audiences should expect some beautiful music, charm and charisma from the actors, and even some laughs. FLOYD COLLINS is truly the great, American (story) musical."
Copps, embracing the challenging role of Collins explained that "whoever is fortunate enough to play Floyd has a dream role put into his hands. It's very 'meaty' as they say and has a lot to it as far as emotional range, depth, and singing go." As for producing FLOYD COLLINS as a whole, Copps highlighted that "the biggest challenge facing any production of FLOYD COLLINS is the fact that it's set in a cave. It's almost like doing an improv scene in a fishbowl (I've had to do that), you can't go anywhere! It really makes you put your thinking cap on. I think designers are free to explore realistic sets or go for the abstract. Either way, something great is allowed to come from that."
In 1979, cave-explorer and author Roger Brucker wrote TRAPPED! THE STORY OF FLOYD COLLINS. This novel inspired playwright Tina Landeu and Adam Guettel to produce FLOYD COLLINS at NYC's Playwrights Horizons in 1996. The musical went on to win the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Musical and a 1995-96 Obie Award for Best Book. "Floyd Collins is a dynamic mix of folk and classical music."Show director Jeffrey Coyle explained. "Every member of the cast needs a solid background and understanding in how music works, how to meet the high demands of it, and of course, come across like they are sitting around the camp fire making it up on the spot."
Copps added "much like THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA (Guettel's 2005 Tony winning monster) this show has some really great ensemble songs. There is something for everyone on the cast/creative side. And the songs are truly beautiful. Guettel has written some of the most haunting, pretty music I've ever heard."
FLOYD COLLINS marks the first production in American Rep Theater of WNY diverse 2011-12 season.
LOCATION
Buffalo East
1410 Main Street
Buffalo, NY
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LocationBuffalo East (View)
1410 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14220
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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