Now Playing: All Together Now!
The School of the Arts at Dean College will join thousands of theatrical organizations around the globe this weekend in the production of Music Theatre International’s All Together Now!: A Global Event Celebrating Local Theatre. Featuring songs from the world’s most iconic musicals, this production is a celebration of our return to live theatre. All Together Now! opens TONIGHT and will run through this Sunday, November 14, 2021.
Avery Sullivan ’25, a Musical Theatre major, Lily Jeswald ’22, a Theatre and English double major, and Jason Lubeck ’22, a Theatre major with concentrations in Musical Theatre and Acting, spoke to us about the show and what the audience can look forward to.
Q: What is your role? Tell us a little about what your role has involved and how you've been preparing for the show.
Avery: “I am in the female ensemble. All Together Now! is an ensemble piece where everyone gets to sing, dance, and act as one. It is a true welcome back to theatre from the COVID-19 pandemic. I have been preparing for this show by listening to every song in the show and practicing in and outside of rehearsals.”
Lily: “I am in a ton of ensemble numbers including selections from Beauty and the Beast and Mamma Mia, and I am also featured in ‘Somewhere That's Green’ from Little Shop of Horrors and ‘Back to Before’ from Ragtime. All Together Now! is not your traditional musical with actors playing specific roles. This was a great exercise for all the advanced performers in this show because it's rare that we get to play more than one character and perform repertoire from more than one show all in one night.”
Jason: “I am a part of the male ensemble and serve as a vocal captain. When portraying a variety of characters, I always gather as much information about the songs, scenes, and characters as possible. I tend to look at how the character feels, reacts, and listens. I’ve been preparing for the show by researching each song I’m in and doing my best to convey the emotion of the story.”
Q: What are you most excited for the audience to see?
Avery: “I am very excited for the audience to see this entire show period. There are so many different types of songs from so many different musicals. The audience will know these songs and I hope they feel something and relate to it while watching it. One of my favorite numbers in the show is the song ‘Beautiful City’ from Godspell. It is all about rebuilding and everyone coming together to bring a brand-new start to the world.”
Lily: “I'm most excited for the audience to see our final song of the show: ‘Seasons of Love’ from RENT. I think this showcases the tight community and friendship aspect of the entire cast!”
Jason: “I am most excited for audiences to see ‘Seize The Day’ from Newsies! The number has stellar vocals, intriguing choreography, and even a fight section!”
Q: What is your favorite part about participating in All Together Now?
Avery: “My favorite part of being in All Together Now! has been the relationships I have made throughout the show process. As a first year, I was nervous about not knowing a lot of people, but everyone from the cast to crew to the directing team has welcomed me to Dean with open arms. I am so excited for this beautiful show, and I want the audience to watch and feel the true love this cast has for each other.”
Lily: “My favorite part of being involved in All Together Now! was working with a new director. We're fortunate to have such amazing resident directors here: Jim, Ali, Daniel, Sue; but being able to work with someone outside of Dean was refreshing. Jimmy and Lila did an amazing job with this show, and their professionalism shows in rehearsals.”
Jason: “Working with such a wonderful, talented, and kind-hearted cast is always an incredible feeling, but this cast is also so incredibly passionate which makes it a phenomenal environment to work in.”
The Dean College production of All Together Now! will take place in the Main Stage in the Campus Center at Dean College, 109 West Central Street, Franklin at 7:30 p.m. Friday – Saturday and 2:00 p.m. Sunday. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit the Dean College Box Office.