November 15 2005
FEATURESBroadway spinoff entertains MCC
From Broadway to the Theatre Outback the musical, “The Scarlet Pimpernel,” returned to stage offering a diverse and talented cast that amused and enraptured a spellbound audience.
The final rehearsal before opening night, the cast performed in full dress before an intimate audience.
The costumes were shocking and brilliant. The intense use of diverse colors added to the rich energy that was present throughout the play.
“It is not “the” performance. It is still just a rehearsal, but I wanted to get the cast used to performing in front of an audience,” Director, Lori Towne, said. The cast gave a full out performance as if it was opening night. With only a few kinks to work out, the cast appeared to be confident and eager to perform at showtime.
“Last night we had a rocky performance. A lot of things went wrong. Usually a horrible rehearsal means a good opening night. Tonight, the rehearsal went well. I hope the performance will go well on opening night,” Amanda Kuchinski said.
Casted as leading lady Margarite, Kuchinski’s performance was breath taking.
A Bachelor of Arts in Music Theatre from ASU and an astonishing voice proves that Kuchinski is no amateur to the stage.
“I performed in my first show when I was 11-years old,” Kuchinski explained. The cast of Pimpernel is from all walks of life. The cast included students, graduates, and community members.
Aaron Ballard played the lead role as, “The Scarlet Pimpernel.” Although Ballard was the lead, he was a bit anxious about opening night.
“I have been performing on and off for the last five years. I just do it as a hobby. My wife is a pianist in the production so I decided to audition,” Ballard said.
In a musical that is vocally challenging such as Pimpernel, it is necessary for the actors to have the ability to rise to the occasion and sing with excellence. Although modest, Ballard came second to none. “I do not sing that well. I am a shower singer,” Ballard said. Ballard received a BIS in communications and Spanish from ASU. Douger Opi assumed the role of Chauvelin, a mysterious Frenchman with desires to take Magarite away with him.
Opi has been attending MCC on and off for six years and loves performing at the Theatre Outback.
“I have been performing for quite some time and I am comfortable with the staff,” Opi explained. I am not nervous about opening night, just excited!” Opi is also a member of the Arizona theatre group, Bits and Pieces.
Opening night for Pimpernel was a huge success and the cast was well received by the audience.
Volume 43, Issue 6. Today is
Photo by Laurel Brower
Cast members from the musical, “The Scarlett Pimpernal,” from left, “Armand,” Zachary Balmer; “Percy,” Aaron Ballard; “Marie,” Michelle Cunneen; and “Marguerite,” Amanda Kuchinski. The production ran Oct. 26-29 in the Theatre Outback.