More than 60 performers. A Shakespearean comedy. Twenty-two songs, sets, costumes, and a stage full of characters.
For Jd. Bowman, professor of theatre, that combination makes the upcoming production of “As You Like It” both energizing and overwhelming. Opening Oct. 2-3, the musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic comedy will launch McPherson College’s theatre season with the department’s largest and most diverse cast ever assembled.
Bowman said that after researching the production, he knew it was the perfect choice to kick off a season focused on community. It premiered in 2017 in New York City’s Central Park with a cast of over 200 that brought together actors and community members from across the city’s boroughs.
For its McPherson College staging, the production pulls in actors from the local community theater, the McPherson College Choir, Inman High School, McPherson High School and middle school, other community members, and many McPherson College alumni coming back for Homecoming.
“When I stumbled across this production, I thought this was a great way to remind us why McPherson is such a strong community,” Bowman said. “I wanted to do something that highlights that.”
The community on stage will feature an age range from six months to 80 years, with many performers — both students and community members —making their stage debuts. McPherson College faculty and staff members will make cameos, along with actors who founded the original McPherson Community Theater, and even an incidental casting of a student and parent.
The nearly 30 alumni performers are learning the songs they will sing on their own. Their costumes will be waiting for them in the lobby when they arrive, and they will join the cast on stage from their seats in the audience. Bowman said it highlights how even the audience is part of the community on stage.
The McPherson College Choir, directed by Andrew Voth, will perform all seven ensemble songs and be joined by the alumni on four of them.
“Preparing for this show has been a wonderful way to start the year,” said Voth. “The rush to get things learned has forced us to get to know each other and find our sound quickly. Beyond getting to work with the theatre department on campus, we’re also excited to join with the larger community for the performances.”
Each performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in Brown Auditorium, with doors opening at 7 p.m. Tickets are available online or at the box office before production.
“Doing a show like this opens the door to welcome everyone, even people who have never done theater before,” Bowman said.
McPherson College has presented live theatrical events on campus for more than 100 years. Additionally, its season ticket program, First Nighters, has a nearly 50-year tradition of offering themed meal experiences to members. For more information, tickets, or to become a First Nighter member, visit www.mcpherson.edu/programs/
