The first Keene State Theater And Dance production of the year, “Make Me a Song,” was performed at the Wright Theatre from Oct. 4 to 7.
“Make Me a Song” is a musical revue based around the music of famous Broadway composer William Finn. This adaptation of the show was set in Grand Central Station and revolved around the lives and struggles of the people passing through the station, as told through Finn’s music.
“It’s just been really exciting having audiences see the hard work, especially with a show that is not very well known… the audiences have taken it in really beautifully,”
said Director Kirstin O’Brien.
O’Brien was appreciative of what audience members had to say following the performances.
“It’s moving, it’s motivating, it’s emotional, captivating, and those are words that I didn’t picture hearing from audiences that don’t necessarily know the show, and they’ve said that,” O’Brien said.
O’Brien added, “I hope the audience walks away with a new view of storytelling through musical theater.”
Senior Hannah Showalter said the most rewarding part of the show was, “Watching all of my ensemble members grow as actors and grow within their craft.”
Showalter added, “It’s been a breathtaking experience to watch, especially as a senior. It’s really fulfilling to be able to partake in.” Additionally, Showalter felt strongly that she has experienced growth throughout the process of “Make Me A Song.”
“I had to create my own story, going into this with my character,” Showalter said. “Typically, what I’m used to is having a storyline made for me that I fit myself into. I had to come up from scratch with something and change it over and over again and just trust myself to know that that was what I was supposed to be doing and that I wasn’t doing the wrong thing.”
Showalter said she hoped audiences gained, “A sense of togetherness and a sense of community. We are a group of seven people, seven souls just trying to give off express our different stories and come together and celebrate music and celebrate what it is to be alive and what it is to live in good, and happy, and bad and sad moments.” Similarly, sophomore Amanda Sennett said her favorite part of the show was the freedom the revue style gave the actors.
“Since [“Make Me a Song”] is a musical revue, the songs aren’t actually built around coherent storyline, and so we got to form that ourselves,” Sennett said. “So there was a lot of freedom when it came to creating our characters and creating the plot of the show.” Sennett said she hoped the cast and crew were able to give the audience an emotionally fulfilling experience.
“I hope that they [the audience] feel moved, and they feel enjoyment, and they laugh, and maybe cry,” Sennett said. “Just have a good emotional experience and are able to connect with their own emotions.”
Similarly, senior Ty Nash said, “I hope the audience came away from this feeling as though they just experienced people. This show was human. The stories being told were real and grounded in very deep and personal ways.”
Emily Sloane can be contacted at
esloane@kscequinox.com
