Monday, September 15, 2008
Cast members and musicians worked yesterday to create an original cast recording of “The Girl, the Grouch and the Goat,” a musical by Jack Helbig and Tony Award winner Mark Hollman. The Helbig and Hollman will use the recording for their promotion of the musical.
The musical debuted at the University this summer and was originally going to be performed again in August but was canceled because of scheduling conflicts. John Staniunas, associate professor and chair of the Department of Theater and Film, said recording all 18 songs would give the cast an opportunity to say goodbye to the musical.
Megan Puhr, Olathe junior, Cassie Hollmann, Overland Park senior, and Sam Beasley, Topeka sophomore sing during their cast recording of 'The Girl, The Grouch, and The Goat' in Murphy Hall on Sunday afternoon. The last show was performed on July 20th in the Crafton-Preyer Theater in Murphy Hall.
“I wanted the cast to have closure on the show,” Staniunas said.
After contacting a variety of recording studios in the Kansas City area, Staniunas decided to go with LA Audio in Olathe. Lynn Allred recorded the music and said it would take about a week to complete the editing and mixing.
Four musicians played the piano, clarinet, flute, harp and various percussion instruments for the show. Ben Shellhaas, Grand Island, Neb., graduate student, played seven instruments including a drum set, marimba and triangle.
“Its fun to draw on all your expertise,” Shellhaas said.
Barbara Puckett, program assistant with the department of theater and film and music director for the show, said one of the most challenging parts of making the recording was finding a balance between the instruments and the singers.
“It’s just a matter of getting everybody on the same page,” Puckett said.
Jeff Sears, Overland Park junior, played the grouch and said making the recording would also be challenging because it wouldn’t be as dramatic as performing the story on stage.
“You have to create character on the spot and put it into your voice,” Sear said.
Students will have the opportunity to add the recording to their resumes. Logan Walker, Holcomb senior, said he would take it on casting calls and give it to prospective agents.
“It is definitely going to help in my career,” Walker said.
The musical tells the story of a grouch in ancient Greece who, during a 20-year drought, has a monopoly on the town’s only well. When the grouch’s son falls in love with his rival’s daughter, he must accept that their love could be the only way to please the gods and end the drought.
Sears said being part of the original cast gave students the opportunity to leave their marks on the characters and the show.
“There is something so rewarding about creating and owning a character that has never been seen or heard before,” Sears said. “The sense of freedom is exhilarating to say the least.”
— — Edited by Adam Mowder
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