By AnnaBelle Boone / The Jambar
The curtain is closing on the Youngstown State University Theatre season. “[title of show]” is the final show for the 2024-25 slate. The musical follows four friends as they try to craft a musical in three weeks, in order to meet the deadline to enter it for a film festival.
The original run of the show began off Broadway in 2006, but ran for 102 regular performances in 2008. The original show was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical.
Sierra Arnal, a mathematics graduate student, attended opening night. She had not been to any prior University Theatre shows.
“I really enjoyed it,” Arnal said. “I thought the musical was entertaining and the students were extremely talented. I will definitely be going back for another show, especially because it’s free for us students.”
Liam Burk, accounting major with a minor in musical theater, said with nearly five years of theater experience, this show’s stage style was unique to him.
“I prepared for the theater style during practice,” Burk said. “But I’ve also had a lot of experience with engaging audiences from multiple angles thanks to speech in high school. But, it is way different from any stage I’ve been on.”
The show is performed in a black box theater style. This type of show is known for its intimate setting and adaptability, as it can be easily changed. Burk said his favorite memory was using his performance to give castmates a laugh.
“My favorite memory would be making my castmates laugh with any little bits or alterations to the delivery I make. The most fun thing on stage is getting the keyboard player Sam to break,” Burk said.
Burk stars as one of the five roles on stage alongside sophomore Benjamin Podnar as Hunter, junior Lex McCaughtry as Susan and junior Natalie Horvath as Heidi. The show also features junior Sam Nabring as Larry.
The musical continued the following weekend with a 7:30 p.m. show April 11-12, and another at 2 p.m. April 13. Burk said he hopes to refine future performances.
“I’m excited to improve on things from the last performances, while also closing out the show on a high note,” Burk said. “I had a lot of fun with the show, and the cast was all so incredible and fun to work with.”
McCaughtry said the show’s style was unique to their previous experience.
“It’s very different from most shows I have worked on,” McCaughtry said. “For instance, it’s a one act show, something I have never done before. It felt weird not having an intermission, but I got used to it.”
The show has only one act. This differentiates it from many other productions that usually have one or two intermissions in their productions. McCaughtry had many favorite memories from the production; their favorite was when their own ideas were implemented on stage.
“My favorite memory was when we came up with small blocking ideas that our characters could use, and them being implemented into the show,” McCaughtry said. “We had a lot of fun, too. The cast was really close so it was easy for us to connect during rehearsals and help each other out.”
Director Adam Day Howard also announced next year’s slate of shows during opening night. They include plays like “Arsenic & Old Lace” in October and “Episode 26” in February, and musicals like “Kiss Me Kate” in April and “Be More Chill” in November.
University Theatre is free for those with a YSU ID. A single show ticket for an adult is $16, and those interested in attending other shows or more detailed prices can check out ysu.edu.