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The Boy Friend

A family musical by Sandy Wilson.

Directed by Peter Hughes. Music directed by Kathleen Davis and Sandra Herbert.

From the tango to the waltz, from the soft shoe to that dance craze of the 1920s, the Charleston, "The Boy Friend" keeps dancers and choreographers on their toes. "There's not a chance for the choreographer to become bored," said Jane Stanfield, who choreographed the show along with Hughes. The lunge, the shimmy, the prance, the strut, the hip-thrust, the hitch kick, the Suzy Q, the hop - it's all here. The audience may be surprised to see jumping jacks, the Australian crawl, the side stroke and the back stroke, too. Each dance number has a different theme and style, Stanfield said, and they cover the gamut from outrageous and fast-paced to dreamy and slow.

Of course it's hard to describe the Charleston in words. Stanfield calls it "restrained chaos." A website on the history of the 1920s says Charleston dancers look like "drunken chickens." Utilizing any number of body-contorting positions, the "... knock-kneed, pigeon-toed, stooped, arm shaking Charlestoners practiced the most scandalous dance to come along in decades."

There's plenty of good music to go along with the dancing, including "I Could be Happy With You," "Sur le Plage," "Won't You Charleston With Me?" and "A Room in Bloomsbury." Set in a finishing school for girls in Nice in 1926, the story asks the question "Is there a boy for every girl?" In a musical the answer has to be oui! and the what twists and turns there are in the plot are really just excuses for another song and another dance. "The Boy Friend" makes for fun summer entertainment for the whole family.

Director's Notes

I saw my first and only production of "The Boy Friend" when I was 7 years old. I remember I had a lot of fun and the characters were very silly. But most of all I remember feeling good when I left the theatre. Working with the script these past several months I can understand why my life wsn't changed by the social relevance of the plot or the deep message in the lyrics. All I know is that it makes me feel good. Much research has gone into this project in hopes of capturing the period of 1920s Europe. Kathleen, Jane, Sandra and I have gone over every note of the score, picking it apart and giving it a shot of contemporary adrenaline. How did such a simple musical become such an intense journey in detail? Who knows? I suspect it's because we wished to create an experience that has you leaving the theatre feeling good. Enjoy the show.

- Peter Hughes

Cast

Amy Amani Costume Design

The Boyfriend is Amy's third costume design with the Evergreen Players. "This show has been a rewarding challenge for me," 75% of the costumes were built for this production. Amy's first costume job was for Sugar Babies at the Grand Hotel in Anaheim, California. Amy has also directed Noises Off and Deathtrap and will direct next season's Breaking Legs.

Davis Bennett Lord Brockhurst

Davis was most recently seen by Players audiences portraying had guy Owen Musser in last fall's production of The Foreigner. He also portrayed Francis, the stage manager, in last year's La Cage aux folles, and was the assistant director for this spring's Crimes of the Heart.

Kathleen Davis Music Director

Kathleen recently retired from a 35-year career as a piano performer and teacher. She has a music degree from Oberlin Conservatory. Kathleen is a long-time member of the Evergreen Players, directing over 20 plays and musicals, and acting in many more.

Larry T Davis Bobby

A native of Detroit, Larry performed in regional theatre while living in New Orleans. He now resides in Denver where he is a Human Resources Specialist for government. After performing as "Jacob" in last year's production of La Cage aux folles, he is excited to he hack with the Evergreen Players.

Becca Dellinger Maisie

Rebecca has a B.A. in Music and Theatre. She has been seen on stage locally and regionally as well as in Europe. Favorite roles include: The Baker's Wife in Into the Woods, Ginger in 1940's Radio Hour, and Anne in the Evergreen Players production of La Cage aux folles.

Melissa Marilyn Fowler Hortense

A Lakewood resident, Melissa has been an actress, singer and dancer since 1989. She has appeared locally and nationally in television, film and theatre. She holds a degree in Musical-Dance-Theatre from Ricks College and English/Secondary Education from UNC. She teaches English and Drama at Arvada High School.

Melissa Hageman Maisie

Whether acting out records as a child, being involved in community theatres, or acting in college, Melissa has gravitated to the stage. Her most ambitious project was a summer of singing and dancing at a dude ranch. She is one year away from receiving her Bachelors degree in vocal performance.

Sandra Herbert Music Director

A fifteen-year member of the Greater Metro Denver Theatre Company, Sandra has shared her talents as a pianist, musical director, actress and vocal coach with Main Street Players, South Suburban Theatre Co. and Columbine High School. Currently she is a voice teacher in the Columbine area. This is Sandra's first production with the Evergreen Players.

Susan Hickey Lady Brockhurst

Susan is the president of Laughter Allowed, a company presenting workshops to organizations with a focus on breaking out of inhibiting patterns, and this is her first acting role. Her next goal is to enroll Lady Brockhurst in one of her workshops.

Peter Hughes Director

The Evergreen Players artist in residence, Peter has worked at Universal Studios Hollywood, Los Angeles Music Center Opera and Summer Repertory Theatre. Recent directing credits include The Secret Garden, Working, The Lion In Winter, Haiku, Steel Magnolias, All In The Timing, La Cage aux folles, I Hate Hamlet and Judevine.

Gene Kato Pierre

A Theatre professor at Red Rocks Community College, Gene and his wife Janelle moved to Colorado from Texas in November of 2000. Since last summer, he has been busy acting and directing. Future projects include directing his adaptation of The Little Mermaid for Main Street Players in August and directing the musical Something's Afoot for Red Rocks this fall.

Janelle Kato Polly

Janelle holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Sam Houston State University in Texas, and this is her second appearance on stage since moving to Denver. Last fall, she played Dierdre in Main Street Players production of I Hate Hamlet. She sings for The Ars Nova Chorus. She will be musical director for Red Rocks Community College's production of Something's Afoot this fall.

Jason Maxwell Alphonse

This is Jason's very first appearance in a musical theatre production. He most recently appeared as Bertie in Love's Tangled Web at Red Rocks Community College. He attends Colorado Christian University and is graduating in a year with a degree in Theatre Studies.

Shannon McCarthy Marcel

"It's always fun performing in Evergreen." Shannon has played Mr. Elerman in A Little Night Music and Jean-Michelle in La Cage aux folles. In Denver, he was seen in Ten Naked Men. "Theatre keeps me sane from my career in Denver as a store manager for American Greetings." "I love you G & G."

Scott McLean Tony

A native Kansan, Scott spent seven years in New York City. Favorite performing experiences: George in She Loves Me at Red Oak Music Theatre and three summers at the Music Box Theatre in Hersheypark, Pennsylvania. Other credits include marketing and PR manager for Blue Man Group in NYC. He currently is the operations manager for the new Walden Family Playhouse in Lakewood.

Steve Moody Percival Browne

Steve studied music and voice while growing up in New Orleans. While attending LSU he performed in variety shows. Most recently Steve was a featured performer at the AZ folk festival Scrapfest. Currently, Steve runs his own consulting business.

Elizabeth Novotny Fay

Elizabeth has performed since age 5. She has worked with Country Dinner Playhouse, the Aurora Fox Theater and the Ascot Theater among others. She currently studies dance at Star Struck Academy, voice with Sally Robertson and acting with coach Bill Howey. She enjoys Shakespeare and lives to perform!

Kristine Pound Dulcie

A graduate of AADA, Kristine toured nationally in a one-woman show and with California Repertoire Theatre. In Denver, Kristine has won awards for performances in A Shayna Maidel, Burn This, and Danny and the Deep Blue Sea. She has performed at ART in Cambridge, Mass. Film credits include The Still Point, Meet Joe Black, and Rich Girl.

Joey Reince Nancy

Joey is a cheesehead from Wisconsin. It was there that she got bit by the theatre bug. She has played Blanca-Kiss Me Kate, Sonia-Godspell, Servant-My Fair Lady. Other credits include The Miracle Worker and Guys and Dolls. Professionally, Joey has become known for her raunchy blues.

Jane Stanfield Choreography

An executive assistant at Colorado PERA, Jane's Evergreen Players accolades include CCTC winning performances for All In The Timing and Haiku, which earned her state acting awards for 1999 and 2000, and trips to regional and national competition in 2001. Other Players productions include La Cage aux folles, Noises Off, The Lion in Winter and Working.

Kimberlee Jo Stiles Mme Dubonnet

This is Kim's third production with the Evergreen Players. Kim has two degrees in Theatre and spent six years in New York performing in numerous plays as well as appearing on One Life to Live and Guiding Light. During the day, Kim is the director of human resources for an asset management company.

Kathy Thompson Assistant Director

A counselor in the Denver Public School System, Kathy finds her work lends itself nicely to the theatre world. This is Kathy's first experience with the Evergreen Players, and she wishes to thank director Peter Hughes for this fun and delightful opportunity to stretch her creative wings.

Susan Williams Fay

Susan is proud to be making her debut with Evergreen. A transplant to Denver from northern California, Susan has been involved in theatre, opera and choral music most of her life. She received a Bachelor of Music in opera from the University of the Pacific. Susan would like to thank Peter for letting her be a part of such a great cast, and David for his love, support and patience!

Production Crew