Fantasy and reality mix in BrightSide's production of 'Nine'
Federico Fellini's fascination with weaving fantasy with reality comes to the stage in "Nine," a musical inspired by the famous director's semi-autobiographical film "8½."
Naperville's BrightSide Theatre will present three performances of the show beginning Friday as part of its ninth season.
"It follows a filmmaker who is turning 40 and is having a midlife crisis," Director Jeff Cass said. "He is trying to deal with making another film. He's artistically blocked."
Cass said the story, told largely through song, explores the filmmaker's relationships with women throughout his life, beginning with his mother. The cast of 17 includes 15 women and two men who portray Guido, the filmmaker, as both a boy and a man.
"It was written as a full stage musical," he said. "It was always a concept musical. For our production, we're doing a concert version. A 10-piece orchestra will be on stage. The actors will still be on book."
Cass describes the score as rich, with "Be Italian" one of the most recognizable numbers. The 2009 movie version stars Daniel Day Lewis and Marion Cotillard.
The show deals with serious themes while incorporating a touch of lightheartedness.
"It is comedic at times because love is comedy, right?" said Cass.
A professional, nonprofit theater company, BrightSide Theatre produces two musicals and a play each season, Cass said.
"We usually perform in Meiley-Swallow," he said, referring to the 239-seat theater inside Meiley-Swallow Hall on the North Central College campus.
This show is staged at Madden Theater, a 150-seat black box theater connected to the Wentz Concert Hall on the college's Naperville campus. The space features tables and chairs that can be rearranged. Cass said the theater also gives theatergoers a chance to purchase wine and beer during the performance.
"We love it because we get to create our own layout," said Cass. "It gives it a cabaret feeling."
BrightSide continues the season with productions of "Steel Magnolias" and "Frozen, Jr." in March and a presentation of "Mamma Mia" in June, all staged in Meiley-Swallow Hall.
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BrightSide Theatre's "Nine"
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 7-8, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9
Where: Madden Theatre, 171 Chicago Ave., Naperville
Tickets: $25-$35
Info: brightsidetheatre.com and (630) 447-8497