PhotosFrom Costume Fittings, Birthdays and Baseball Games, an Exclusive Backstage Look at New Musical October SkyThe Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, IL, and Universal Stage Productions present the official opening of the world premiere of October Sky Aug. 26, following previews that began Aug. 19. The show is a musical adaptation of the 1999 film with Jake Gyllenhaal about boys, rockets and big dreams. Joan Hess gives us a backstage look at the musical.
By
Matthew Blank
September 18, 2015
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From Costume Fittings, Birthdays and Baseball Games, an Exclusive Backstage Look at New Musical October Sky
From Costume Fittings, Birthdays and Baseball Games, an Exclusive Backstage Look at New Musical October Sky
The Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, IL, and Universal Stage Productions present the official opening of the world premiere of October Sky Aug. 26, following previews that began Aug. 19. The show is a musical adaptation of the 1999 film with Jake Gyllenhaal about boys, rockets and big dreams. Joan Hess gives us a backstage look at the musical.
26 PHOTOS
A company is always greatly benefited when the leads bond well, particularly in a show like this. Our "Rocket Boys" are a terrific bunch of good-hearted young men, seen here in their shared dressing room. Alex Weissman (Quentin), Nate Lewellyn (Homer), Patrick Rooney (Roy Lee) and Ben Barker (O'Dell).
Joan Hess
From the very unglamorous moment of trying on unstyled wigs with costume designer, Theresa Ham, and wig designer Richard (Rick) Jarvie, to the amazing finished products, straight out of the fifties, seen backstage on Dara Cameron, Johanna McKenzie Miller, Joan Hess and Betsy Stewart.
Joan Hess
Even our good natured miners must don their helmets and get ready to go "Marching into Hell". (L to R) Jesse Grider, Neil Friedman, and Terry Hamilton. #dirtyjobs
Joan Hess
Our music department works well together. Music Director, Ryan T. Nelson with Composer/Lyricist, Michael Mahler.
Joan Hess
Some of our miners, including Neil Friedman (before coal dust and miner's light). And some of our dramaturgical materials. Coal mining was a filthy and dangerous enterprise. But coal was what this country ran on.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, fittings are happening with Costume Designer, Theresa Ham, and staff. David Hess, always bringing the humor.
Joan Hess
Alex Weisman, who plays Quentin, bringing some serious sock stylings to the rehearsal room.
Joan Hess
Our first celebration was for birthday boy, David Hess, who plays John Hickam. Cake for all! With cast members Elizabeth Telford and me, Joan Hess. #bigcastmeanslotsacake
Joan Hess
Nate Lewellyn, who plays Homer Hickam, rehearsing on the set for the first time. In the background, on the right, one of the many unsung heroes of this process, our terrific Rehearsal Pianist, Kevin Reeks.
Joan Hess
One of my favorite moments in rehearsal, when our director, Rachel Rockwell put the "men in a pen", as I referred to it. #whohasthepowernow Derek Hasenstab, Jameson Cooper, J Michael Finley and Liam Quealy.
Joan Hess
With more tech elements in place, the miners in the elevator. I wish you could hear the amazing sound effects designed for this number by our Sound Designer, Robert E. Gilmartin. Chilling.
Joan Hess
Notes with the music department in one of the dressing rooms. Music Director Ryan T. Nelson, Composer/Lyricist Michael Mahler surrounded by cast members.
Joan Hess
Director Rachel Rockwell (center) stages on the new levels, with, from left, Patrick Rooney, Alex Weisman, David Lively, Johanna McKenzie Miller, Ben Barker and Nate Lewellyn. Ensemble member, Caleb Baze, who understudies Homer and Quentin, watches from the front row.
Joan Hess
Fittings continue in the dressing rooms. Betsy Stewart is being tended to by Costume Design Assistant, Erin Steilen.
Joan Hess
The Marriott Theatre fed us all pizza on photo night. The Rocket Boys, Nate Lewellyn, Patrick Rooney, Alex Weisman and Ben Barker enjoy a few slices in their dressing room. David Hess and Nate Lewellyn, who play father and son John and Homer Hickam, get ready for their close up (top right)
Joan Hess
The Hickam family, played by Susan Moniz, David Hess and Nate Lewellyn, rehearsing on our taped-out floor. The dining set transporting us right back to the 1950s, when our story takes place.
Joan Hess
A few finishing touches in rehearsal and a lot of goodwill. (Clockwise from top left) Jesse Grider, J. Michael Finley, James Earl Jones II, Patrick Lane, Jonny Stein, Betsy Stewart, Patrick Rooney and David Lively. And, with spirits high, we "Look to the Stars".
Joan Hess
Backstage, cast members Eliza Palasz, Jamie Cooper and Jonny Stein enjoy a game together in a dressing room.
Joan Hess
Our happy cast right before we step onto the field to sing for a crowd of over 30,000. And, as it turns out, we're right at home singing about "rockets red glare". #OctoberSky #MarriottTheatre #looktothestars
Joan Hess
Nate Lewellyn and Ben Barker are all smiles.
Joan Hess
The company arriving at historic Wrigley Field. My first time!
Joan Hess
It's wonderful to have Alex Weisman back. #supportbyelmo
Joan Hess
It takes a village. Truly. This is Bob Silton, our sole backstage crew man, in costume, waiting to set some props in the next scene. And always with a smile.
Joan Hess
Just because the show is open, doesn't mean the work ends. The week after we opened, we were right back in rehearsal, "putting in" understudy Caleb Baze as Quentin for two shows. He did a terrific job!
Joan Hess
Our cast was also asked to sing the National Anthem at a Cubs game! Here, cast member Patrick Lane rehearses the violin accompaniment to an arrangement by our composer, Michael Mahler. #multitalented
Joan Hess
Triumph! Caleb Baze, Nate Lewellyn, Patrick Rooney and Ben Barker in rehearsal.
Based on the film, as well as the book "Rocket Boys" by Homer H. Hickam, Jr., October Sky is written by Aaron Thielen, with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler. It follows a teenage boy living in a small, coal-mining town and his determination to not end up like the generations before him. With his friends, they build homemade rockets and release them, along with their dreams and aspirations, into the sky.
Jeff Award winner Rachel Rockwell directs and choreographs a cast that is led by Nate Lewellyn as Homer Hickam (Godspell at The Marriott Theatre) along with Johanna McKenzie Miller as Miss Riley (The Marriott Theatre’s On the Town), Alex Weisman as Quentin (The History Boys at TimeLine Theatre), Ben Barker as O’Dell (Les Misérables at Paramount Theatre) and Patrick Rooney as Roy Lee (Les Misérables at Paramount Theatre).
The cast also features Jameson Cooper, Neil Friedman, Terry Hamilton, Derek Hasenstab, David Lively, Liam Quealy, Caleb Baze, Dara Cameron, J Michael Finley, Jess Grider, Joan Hess, James Earl Jones II, Patrick Lane, Eliza Palasz, Jonny Stein, Betsy Stewart and Elizabeth Telford.
"This is a story set in a town that lives and dies by the coal mine, with real struggles and real triumphs,” Rockwell said in an earlier press statement. “These boys were intrigued by something that most people in America had no experience with and somewhat feared – rockets going into space. We want to make audiences feel like they are part of this community as they experience this volatile time in small town America. It is a really inspirational story.”
The production features set design by Tom Ryan, costume design by Theresa Ham, lighting design by Jesse Klug, sound design by Bob Gilmartin, properties design by Mealah Heidenreich, dialect coaching by Jill Walmsley Zager, musical supervision and orchestra conducted by Patti Garwood and orchestrations by David Siegel.
To reserve tickets, call The Marriott Theatre Box Office at (847) 634-0200 or go to TicketMaster. Visit MarriottTheatre for more information.
Lupita Nyong'o, Katrina Lenk, Jelani Alladin, and more were on hand to celebrate the October 31 opening night of Michael R. Jackson and Anna K. Jacobs' new musical.
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