Friday, May. 09, 2008

Playhouse Merced hosts evening with Rodgers, Hammerstein

By KRISTA BJORN
Sun-Star Correspondent

It will be an evening celebrated in grand style as Playhouse Merced presents "Some Enchanted Evening -- The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein."

"It's a sweet, smaller scale musical production (just five cast members), and is all sung," said actor Jim Kocher. "Songs from 'The King and I,' 'Oklahoma,' 'South Pacific,' 'Cinderella,' 'Carousel' and other classics from yesteryear."

"It's a review that has five people in it that are fabulous," said director Nancy O'Bryan. "There's a good 50 to 75 songs. It's pretty amazing. These are songs that we learned as children without even knowing they were from Rodgers and Hammerstein shows, as well as classics. This show gives you a taste of everything. It's nonstop, a lot of fun."

The show features all local performers: Jim and Dianne Kocher, Elyssa Alexander, Andrew Burkum and Kristina Stamper.

"The community has seen them before," O'Bryan said. "This really highlights all of them."

The show usually casts five adults in the roles, but O'Bryan decided to take a different tack this time.

"I decided to cast one of the conservatory kids in it and she's been just amazing," O'Bryan said.

"Some Enchanted Evening" is divided into two distinctly different acts.

"I would describe Act One as almost a show within a show," said actress Dianne Kocher. "From the audience's perspective, it's like they're watching the cast rehearse songs for an upcoming production. But they're also getting to know them, too."

Jim agreed saying, "We all come in to the theater basically as ourselves. We're arriving at the theater, start with a vocal warm-up, and then launch into that great Rodgers and Hammerstein song book. Songs like 'Surrey With the Fringe on Top,' 'A Wonderful Guy,' 'There is Nothin' Like a Dame,' and 'I Have Dreamed.'"

While the songs are familiar, the director has added her own touch to the production.

"Our director, Nancy O'Bryan, has staged the songs in a way that has given them a more modern flair," Dianne Kocher said. "Especially in Act One. We're sometimes singing to each other, and then sometimes to ourselves. It's very interesting. At least to me it is."

Act Two is the actual production of a show called "Some Enchanted Evening."

"It's all about tuxedos and evening gowns," Jim Kocher said. "And more songs."

"It's a more classic presentation of medleys and solos," Dianne Kocher added.

The Kochers have enjoyed being in a production together, particularly a production that is literally filled with great music.

"We do enjoy working in a show together," Jim Kocher said. "With the exception of just small bits of chit-chat, the audience gets to sit back and just listen to these classic Rodgers and Hammerstein songs. I would imagine these songs, at least some of them, will be very familiar. Beyond that, we want to be able to volunteer our time to something important, and Playhouse Merced is that something."

Dianne Kocher agreed. "We feel the Playhouse is a special part of this community and we want it to succeed."

If you go

WHAT: "Some Enchanted Evening"

WHEN" At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday through May 18.

WHERE: Playhouse Merced, 452 W. Main St., Merced

TICKETS: $19-$12 at (209) 725-8587 or visit www.playhousemerced.com