A NOTE FROM THE PROGRAMMING DIRECTOR
Our presentation of Movin’ Out provides us another opportunity to examine a show which was created out of existing music. Earlier this season, we saw On The Record, which showcased music from the Disney Catalogue. These two productions have taken different approaches to bringing new life to the work of Billy Joel and the Disney Studios.

The world premiere of On The Record spans 75 years of music that was created for film and television. Robert Longbottom, the show’s creator and director, conceived the idea to link the songs together in the environment of a recording studio. That provided a solution to cobbling together a variety of music styles.

MOVIN' OUT Band, photo by Joan Marcus

There was an added complexity of dealing with the rights for the music. Some of the authors of the original work have passed on, creating additional challenges. The process of creating a show for the stage often involves the authors and the director working together through a series of workshops and rehearsals to cut, re-work or add new songs as the rehearsals progress. If the authors are deceased, the producer is negotiating with their heirs. Sometimes the music becomes “sacred” to them and no longer flexes to the process of creating a new show. A production that has 60 songs, from different authors, has secured the rights for each song. It’s never as easy as it appears!

Fortunately, Billy Joel is among the living. When Twyla Tharp conceived the notion to tell a story using his music, she was able to work directly with him. Movin’ Out expands on the storytelling aspects of the music and communicates a plot through dance. It blends pop music into a morphed musical. It combines the classical style of ballet with the abstractness of contemporary dance. This production merges two worlds of the broad-based working class appeal of Billy Joel’s music and teams with the unlikely partner of modern dance. Twyla creates a bit of a five-dimensional checker game of styles, blending them into one theatrical event. Although the wide popularity of Billy Joel’s music is driving audiences to see this show, it is the genius of Twyla Tharp that makes his music dance.

We are pleased to welcome Holly Cruikshank back to Playhouse Square. It is a thrill to present Michael Cavanaugh in Movin’ Out. Our Middleburg Heights native has taken a leave from his starring role on Broadway to play in his hometown. They will perform in alternating rotation.

Gina Vernaci – Director of Programming