Satirical 'Tomfoolery' not just another musical
There's something to offend everyone in tonight's debut of "Tomfoolery" at Naperville's North Central College.
And that's not a bad thing.
The musical revue of political and social satirist Tom Lehrer's songs from the 1950s and '60s by the Organic Theater Company takes on politics, religion, the military and more during its four-day run.
"It's highly entertaining, but it's not mindless," Director Alexander Gelman said. "It's an equal opportunity offender."
The show, produced by Cameron Mackintosh, opens tonight with 26 of Lehrer's songs, including such hits as "The Vatican Rag," "National Brotherhood Week," "New Math" and "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park."
"Tom Leher was a tremendously important figure on the cultural scene the '60s and the early '70s with the terrific funny satirical songs that people from a certain generation will recognize right away," Gelman said.
The show's format will be quite unlike most musicals.
"It's a lot different from what people are used to: going to plays in which each person has a character," said actor Christopher Wallinger, 25, of Chicago. "It's really more eclectic and it lends itself to a more upbeat, fast-paced romp through the evening."
Four performers will sing Lehrer's songs, taking on different characters in each tune. With one base costume, they'll briefly add props to their outfits to match each role.
"There's freedom to ad-lib a little bit," said actress Kristina Cottone, 23, of Chicago. "We're playing a heightened version of ourselves between each number."
Founded in 1970, the Chicago-based Organic Theater Company is the second oldest such troupe in the city. It employs a unique approach by using a permanent group of artists to create several different productions.
This tactic allows audiences to see the same performers in different roles and allows the performers to really get to know each other.
"Instead of taking a box and trying to fit the show into it, we let it become whatever it wants to be or what we want it to be," Wallinger said. "It's just been a lot of fun because it's such a funny show and we've been able to see where it takes us."
What adds to this production, Gelman said, is that many of the political issues Lehrer sang about 50 years ago remain relevant today.
"It's very funny. It's very witty. It's very smart," Gelman said. "But beyond that, when you realize some of these songs were written in the '60s, it's easy to see how these songs could have just as easily been written (today). Things have changed but they haven't changed a great deal."
The Organic Theater Company is responsible for such successful productions as "Warped" and "Bleacher Bums" and has produced such performers as Dennis Franz and Joe Mantegna.
"Tomfoolery" takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. today through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday at Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St.
Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for students and senior citizens.
For more information about the Organic Theater Company, visit organictheater.org. For more information about the show in Naperville, visit northcentralcollege.edu/show.
<p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b> If you go</b></p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>What:</b> "Tomfoolery"</p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>When:</b> 7:30 p.m. today through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday</p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>Where:</b> North Central College's Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St., Naperville</p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>Tickets:</b> $30 adults, $20 students and seniors</p> <b> <p class="factboxtextbold12col"></b>Info: (630) 637-7469 or <a href="http://www.northcentralcollege.edu/show" target="new">www.northcentralcollege.edu/show</a></p>