'Sweet Charity' is a romantically charged musical.
peter gill
Daily Staff Writer
It's opening night tonight for "Sweet Charity," and cast members say they're ready for it.
"Sweet Charity" tells the story of Charity Hope Valentine, a spunky young social consultant at the sleazy Fandango Ballroom, and her romantic misadventures.
The musical originally opened in 1966 on Broadway and was choreographed by Bob Fosse. At the time, it was nominated for 12 Tony Awards, with Fosse winning for Best Choreography. He also choreographed "Cabaret" and "Chicago."
Stephanie VanDuynhoven, musical theater senior, plays Charity and said Fosse's dancing style was difficult to learn.
"You have to train your body to do it," VanDuynhoven said. "Everything is really subtle. It took a lot of time."
In order to train the cast, director and choreographer Lyn Cramer brought in a member of the traveling dance company "Fosse" to help get the movements right.
Lexi Windsor, musical theater sophomore, said the dancing is a tough workout but she loves it. Windsor plays Nickie, a Bronx woman who works at the Fandango with Charity and advises her on love. One of the biggest challenges for her was learning to talk like a New Yorker.
"It's been really interesting with he Bronx accent," Windsor said. "That's been a challenge. She's like Chita Rivera."
Musical theater junior Geoffrey Voss also learned a dialect. His character is Vittorio Vidal, a famed Italian actor.
"I've never had to do an Italian accent before," Voss said. He said cast members and a dialect coach helped him get things right. For him, the dancing was easy because he'd previously done Fosse works.
For Nando Betancur, musical theater sophomore, the challenges were a bit more daunting. "Sweet Charity" is the first time he has had a leading role. Betancur plays Oscar Lindquist, Charity's love interest.
"It was kind of a shock, but a pleasant one," Betancur said about landing the role. He said he was nervous about it at first but that Cramer helped him calm down and get into the role.
The cast has become almost like a family, Betancur said.
"Everyone is really exciting," Betancur said. "It's really a wonderful cast because you can see everyone's work ethic."
Windsor said everyone got excited when things went well. For Betancur, that excitement helped him through his challenging role.
"I've been really impressed with what Stephanie has done," Betancur said. "It makes it easier for me to do it when I've seen what she's done."
With the cast and crew's work culminating into the opening performance tonight, everyone is excited, they said.
"This is the kind of show that people just go out to enjoy," Voss said. "That's what musical comedies are all about."
"Sweet Charity" opens at 8 p.m. tonight at the Rupel Jones Theatre with performances over the next two weekends. Tickets are $13 for students, $17 for OU faculty, staff and senior adults, and $20 for adults and may be purchased by calling 325-4101.
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