Friday, November 6, 2009

Players perform ‘Babes in Arms’

At Community School, 1930s musical reveals timely themes

---

By SABINA DANA PLASSE
Express Staff Writer

Express photo by Mark Oliver. The boys and girls in “Babes in Arms” band together to put on a show at The Community School Theatre in Sun Valley.

Before "Rent" and "West Side Story" there was a lesser-known musical about teenagers experiencing life struggles called "Babes in Arms." The Community School Players opened "Babes in Arms" last night and presented a fun-filled musical with lots of drama, love and dancing. "Babes in Arms" will continue through Sunday, Nov. 8, at The Community School Theatre.

"It's timely," said director Fritz Brun. "This play suits the students, and it's sweet and charming."

"Babes in Arms" is set in Seaport, Long Island in New York in the 1930s during the Great Depression. During the Depression, thousands of teenagers left their homes to help their struggling families. Many boys and girls made a living by singing and dancing in city streets.

The large numbers of teenagers roaming the nation was a social problem handled by each state individually. Solutions for some states were rounding up the kids and shipping them off to neighboring states to "Work Farms."

Trying to avoid the Work Farm, the girls and boys of "Babes In Arms" will do anything and decide to create a show.

<

"The kids have a big idea to put on a show together to earn some money," Brun said. "But it doesn't work."

Brun said the show's music is recognizable and very beautiful. The orchestra, directed by Brad Hershey, plays familiar 1930s melodies. Hilarie Neely choreographed elaborate musical numbers and Michele Minailo and Winkie McCray created the stylish Depression-era costumes.

"I like the students to be creative rather than imitate something they know," Brun said. "The theater is a great way to express oneself. A show like this requires creativity and collaboration."

Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com

Playbill

What: "Babes in Arms"

Where: The Community School Theatre, Sun Valley.

When: Tonight at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m.

Tickets: $16 adults and $8 students. Tickets are available at Chapter One Bookstore in Ketchum and The Community School Theatre door. For details, call 622-3955, ext. 133.