WESTFIELD-This spring’s Westfield Theatre Group offering is a “beautiful show” that director Tom LeCourt is excited to bring to the local stage.
“It is a true celebration of life and loss and love that can be enjoyed by the entire family,” said LeCourt of the production “Tuck Everlasting The Musical” that begins its run at the Westfield Woman’s Club later this month. “I hope our audiences will enjoy experiencing this classic story in a brand new way.”
Emma Linehan and Caden Boeri and the cast of “Tuck Everlasting” hit the final pose for “Partner in Crime.” (Submitted photo)
Performances are set for March 29, 7:30 p.m.; March 30, 7:30 p.m.; April 5, 7:30 p.m.; April 6, 2 and 7:30 p.m.; April 12, 7:30 p.m., and April 13 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
LeCourt said he chose this musical because he had seen the final Broadway performance of the show and felt the story needed to be “seen, experienced, appreciated, and cherished” by more people.
“When I saw it, I had no previous knowledge of the source material, but I loved how the story unfolded in such a moving way,” said LeCourt.
LeCourt added that as a director, he has always been drawn to “character-driven pieces” because of his role in assisting actors discover what makes their characters “tick” and guide them through the process of developing and refining those characters.
“The characters in ‘Tuck Everlasting’ are deep and complex and all very different, so it has been a fun challenge to help the cast discover them and bring out the ways that they can complement each other,” said LeCourt.
Brandon Garcia and Jeff Clayton perform “You Can’t Trust A Man.” (Submitted photo)
LeCourt is no stranger to the Westfield Theatre Group (WTG) stage, having directed several shows including two productions of Steel Magnolias (2002 and 2010), The Man Who Came to Dinner (2004), Company (2008), The Heidi Chronicles (2016), and several one-act plays. In addition to his directing experience, he has also acted with several local community theater groups since moving to Western Massachusetts in 1997. Some of his favorite roles at the WTG include Cookie McGee in “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” Nathan Detroit in “Guys and Dolls,” and as Dale Harding in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”
“Tuck Everlasting” is based on the children’s best-selling classic by Natalie Babbitt, and is adapted for the stage by Claudia Shear and Tim Federle. The show features music by Chris Miller and lyrics by Nathan Tysen that promises several memorable show tunes. The show is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.
“I think parents should bring their children to this production because they can,” said LeCourt. “It’s a great story that is family friendly, which is not necessarily true of many contemporary musicals.”
Cast members include Emma Linehan, Caden Boeri, AJ Berube, Kevin Kary, Christine Greene, Jackie O’Dell, Jackie Purcell, Jeff Clayton, Brandon Garcia and Rob Clark. Ensemble members taking the stage include Robert Austin, Ryan Beattie, Sean Buenaventura, Liz Clayton, Olivia Curd, Andrei Danilchenko, Henry Di Napoli, Cassy Dupee, Joey Grabowski, Aliza Greene, Rowan Healey, Krista Krupa, Scott O’Dell, Rose Soucie and Samantha Stackpole.
Working behind the scenes with LeCourt include music director George Garber Jr.; Shelley Haber, producer; Caitlin Odell, choreographer, and Carol Cisek, stage manager.
The Westfield Theatre Group is a department of the Westfield Woman’s Club, 28 Court St. For more information on the show and to make reservations, visit www.WestfieldTheatreGroup.com or call (413) 572-6838. Tickets are $18 for adults, and $15 for students, seniors and military.
“It’s a story that many middle-school-aged children read in school, but seeing that story brought to life on the stage allows everyone to experience it in a different way,” said LeCourt. “The show’s central theme will likely spurn conversation between parents and children. But most importantly, I think it’s important to cultivate a love of the arts at an early age. I remember my parents bringing me to the theater as a young child and it planted the seed to a lifelong love of theater.”
