Published: July 02, 2008 12:51 pm            

Performance fit for a King | Musical on schedule at Cresson playhouse

By TOM LAVIS

TLAVIS@TRIBDEM.COM

Singer-songwriter Carole King is enjoying a resurgence and Cresson Lake Playhouse in Loretto is hoping to capitalize on this icon’s popularity.

“Carole King – A Musical Tribute” opens July 10 and runs through July 19 under the direction of Jim Pollino of Ebensburg, the playhouse’s artistic director.

Elaine Mastalski, playhouse executive director, said the tribute coincides with King’s current renewal in popularity now that she has taken her music on tour this summer.

“She is currently making the rounds of all the talk shows, and I’m sure that will create some interest in local audiences to come out and hear our tribute,” Mastalski said. “Her music is timeless, and she is the No. 1 female recording artist of all time, outselling anyone else.”

Pollino describes the musical as an autobiographical account of King’s life, beginning with her Brooklyn, N.Y., upbringing.

In the first act, a young King is portrayed by Shana Casey of Cresson. Casey, who is a sophomore at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, narrates the entire show as the voice of King. She will entertain audiences with some of King’s early musical numbers from the ’60s.

Her repertoire will include familiar favorites such as “Tapestry” and “It’s Too Late.”

In the early years, King was a passionate, urban-souled young woman, a romanticizer of tenement rooftops and Spanish Harlem sidewalks.

She and her first husband, Gerry Goffin, were part of the creative culture of the independent music companies of Brill Building and 1650 Broadway.

The music came to be defined as the Brill Building Sound.

An ensemble will sing King’s songs made popular by The Sherrills and Chiffons such as “Locomotion” and “One Fine Day.”

The ensemble is composed of Emily Bloom of Ebensburg, Dana Cooper of Johnstown and Mandy Eckenrode of Northern Cambria.

The role of Bobby Vee is played by Garrett Storm of Gallitzin, who will sing “Take Good Care of My Baby.”

Representing the British Invasion will be James Trexler of Cresson singing Peter Noon’s “Into Something Good.”

“King and Goffin had a 1-year-old child and employed a baby sitter by the name of Eva Boyd, and they were amused by how she danced,” Pollino said.

“They wrote a song titled ‘Locomotion’ and let her record it under the stage name of Little Eva.”

Susan Brandt of Altoona is cast as a mature King and will perform the nostalgic tunes of the ’70s that include “You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman.”

Brandt and Amy Misera of Bellwood will form a duet to perform King’s “Beautiful” and “Sweet Season.”

“So Far Away” and “You’ve Got a Friend” also will be performed by Misera.

Pollino said one of the biggest surprises was the reaction from the cast when they learned that King produced so many hits.

“They were unaware that she wrote many of these songs,” Pollino said.

It was King’s quest for peace and solitude that promoted her to write “Up On The Roof,” which will be performed by Pollino.

“Tapestry” was ranked No. 1 for 15 weeks. The album garnered four Grammy Awards – Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female, Record of the Year (“It’s Too Late”) and Song of the Year (“You’ve Got a Friend.”)

Curtain times are 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

Advanced tickets may be purchased by calling 472-4333 or one hour prior to each performance at the box office.

Tickets cost $17 for adults and $8 for children younger than 12.



On stage

What: “Carole King – A Musical Tribute.”

Where: Cresson Lake Playhouse, 270 Shapiro Road, Loretto.

When: July 10-19.

Curtain times: 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets: In advance at 472-4333 or one hour prior to each performance at the box office.

Cost: $17 for adults and $8 for children younger than 12.

        

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