The acclaimed drama department at Marshall High School in Falls Church rolls out its latest musical comedy production, “City of Angels,” beginning tonight, May 1, at 7:30 p.m. Performances will also be Friday and Saturday night and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the school’s auditorium at 7731 Leesburg Pike.
Directed by Marshall’s Valerie Karasek, “City of Angels” is an intricate and funny story that follows screenwriter Stine as he attempts to write and peddle a screenplay about his “tough guy” private detective character Stone. As Stine writes, his scenes come alive in black and white, looking like an old 1940s film. The theatre magic shows the contrasting change from real life in color to the movie world of black and white, creating alternate realities, utilizing lighting effects on numerous 12-foot screens add to the intense excitement behind the scene changes n and out of the real and movie world.
“City of Angels” won Best Musical and Best Score Tony Awards. It was composed by the Cy Coleman, the venerable Broadway composer who also wrote “Sweet Charity.” His “City of Angels” songs embody the pure essence of the jazz sound. In the Marshall production this weekend, trombones and trumpets from the orchestra capture the elements of the sultry jazz numbers and high spirited six-part harmony swing tunes.
Key performers include Aeneas Hemphill as Stone, Kiran Kestenbaum as Alaura, Mina Noorbakhsh as Gabby, Ben Witman as Stine, Ellen Chapin as Donna, as well as Oria Conway and Robin Crigler.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and older adults. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreatmarshall.org.
