In Transit (musical)
In Transit | |
---|---|
Music |
Kristen Anderson-Lopez James-Allen Ford Russ Kaplan Sara Wordsworth |
Lyrics |
Kristen Anderson-Lopez James-Allen Ford Russ Kaplan Sara Wordsworth |
Book |
Kristen Anderson-Lopez James-Allen Ford Russ Kaplan Sara Wordsworth |
Productions |
2010 Off-Broadway 2016 Broadway |
In Transit is a musical with book, music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez, James-Allen Ford, Russ Kaplan and Sara Wordsworth. The musical, performed a cappella, ran Off-Broadway in 2010, and on Broadway in 2016.
Overview
The musical relates the interrelated stories of New Yorkers who travel the city streets and subway. The characters include "an aspiring actress, a Wall Street honcho, a street performer, a cab driver..."[1]
Kristen Anderson-Lopez said: "The show is a love letter to New York and the people who make up New York." She noted that the show has evolved — for example, the Off-Broadway version had 7 voices, and the Broadway production has 11.[2] Sara Wordsworth said "that In Transit’s 'subway and a cappella' are more than just location and style, respectively; they work as metaphors for life’s painful odysseys and the often unrecognized figures who support us along the way."[3]
Summary
Boxman begins the show by pointing out the amount of time spent in transit by New Yorkers ("A Math Question") and the cast laments how the MTA gets in their way of getting places ("Deep Beneath the City/Not There Yet"). Jane, a struggling actress, wishes that she could be successful and stop temping to make a living which she resolves to do by getting the part she is auditioning for ("Do What I Do"). Steven and Trent go to visit Trent's mother in Texas and are deeply uncomfortable at her homophobic views ("Four Days Home"). On his way to a job interview Nate discovers that his metrocard is out of money and begs Aletha to let him go through ("Broke"). Aletha refuses, but Boxman gives him a ride. Ali attempts to contact her ex, Dave, through any means possible on a Saturday night ("Saturday Night Obsession"). Nate meets up with friends from his old job and one offers to be his wingman to help him get a date with Jane who is there with her coworkers ("Wingman"). They go to get a drink after and exchange numbers. They both reflect on the date and Jane attempts to call Nate however discovers that his number doesn't work ("But Ya Know"). The characters reflect on how they still have not achieved their goals ("Not There Yet Reprise"). The sounds of different workers in the city overwhelm Jane as she tries to hear a call from her agent ("Keep it Goin'"). Jane tells them all to be quiet and finds out that she has been cast in a Broadway show. Later, as Jane has just quit her temping job, she get a call that she is no longer cast and the role has been offered to Pippa Middleton. She asks her boss if she will take her back and her boss gives Jane some much needed advice: to give up on her dreams and get a normal job, helping that idea along by offering Jane a much better position at the office ("A Little Friendly Advice"). Trent's mom visits New York and Trent attempts to come out to her, but quickly discovers that she doesn't want to know because of her faith ("Choosing Not To Know"). After running the New York City Marathon, Ali runs into Dave and his new girlfriend Cathy on her way home. She reflects on her relationship with Dave, realizing that pining over him has left her stagnant and she needs to move on from him ("The Moving Song"). After Trent's mother leaves the city, Steven tells Trent that he loves him anyway and chooses him and they decide to get married that day, and Ali runs into her brother Nate and tells him that she will be moving home to finish her degree, however Nate convinces her to move in with him and finish her degree in New York ("We Are Home"). Jane reflects on living in the moment ("Getting There"). Ali finishes her degree, Nate and Jane are married with a baby, Steven and Trent get married and Trent's mother is in attendance, and Aletha is running for mayor of New York. ("Finale")
Production history
The musical was presented at Upstairs At 54 during the New York Musical Theatre Festival in 2004. The show at that time was titled Along the Way.[4] The show was next produced Off-Broadway by the York Theatre at the Theatre at Saint Peters August 8 through 10, 2008. The production was a staged concert, directed by Joe Calarco.[5] At that time it was one of two a cappella musicals in New York City.[6]
The musical ran Off-Broadway at the 59 East 59th Street Theater, produced by Primary Stages and directed by Joe Calarco. It opened on September 21, 2010, in previews, officially on October 5, 2010, and closed on October 30, 2010.[7][8][9][10]
The musical, directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall, premiered on Broadway on November 10, 2016, in previews at the Circle in the Square Theatre with the officlal opening on December 11. This production is the first all-a cappella musical on Broadway, with arrangements by Deke Sharon.[11][12] The cast features Justin Guarini as Trent, Erin Mackey as Ali, Telly Leung as Steven, James Snyder as Nate, Margo Seibert as Jane, Moya Angela as Momma, Ms. Williams, and Althea as well as Chesney Snow as Boxman (alternating with Heaven Cantor).[13][14][15]
The production closed on April 16, 2017, after 145 performances.[16]
Characters and original cast
Character | Off-Broadway | Broadway |
---|---|---|
Jane | Denise Summerford | Margo Seibert |
Nate | Graham Stevens | James Snyder |
Ali | Hannah Laird | Erin Mackey |
Trent | Tommar Wilson | Justin Guarini |
Steven | Steve French | Telly Leung |
Althea | Celisse Henderson | Moya Angela |
Boxman | Chesney Snow | Chesney Snow / Heaven Cantor |
Chris | N/A | Nicholas Ward |
Dave | N/A | David Abeles |
Kathy | N/A | Gerianne Perez |
Nina | N/A | Mariand Torres |
- Jane, an actress who is discouraged and works temporary jobs; Mezzo
- Nate, a Wall Street worker who has been fired; Baritone
- Ali, Nate's sister, newly arrived in New York, sad over the end of her relationship with her ex-boyfriend; Soprano
- Trent, Jane's agent who cannot reveal his relationship with Steven to his fundamentalist mother; Tenor
- Steven, Trent's love interest and roommate; Bass
- Althea (unnamed), MTA employee in the subway transit booth; Regina
- Boxman, a beatboxing street performer/poet/rapper
Added for Broadway:
- Chris, one of Nate's hedge fund buddies/former co-worker
- Dave, med student and former Ali love-interest
- Kathy, one of Jane's co-workers
- Nina, another co-worker
(all actors play multiple characters except for Boxman)
Musical numbers
- Deep Beneath the City/ Not There Yet - Boxman and Company
- Do What I Do - Jane
- Four Days Home - Trent, Steven and Company
- Broke - Nate
- Saturday Night Obsession - Ali
- Wingman - Chris
- But, Ya Know - Nate and Jane
- Not There Yet (Reprise) - Company
- Keep It Goin' - Althea and Company
- A Little Friendly Advice - Ms. Williams
- Choosing Not to Know - Trent
- The Moving Song - Ali
- We Are Home - Steven and Trent
- Getting There - Jane
- Finale - Boxman and Company
Awards and nominations
Original Off-Broadway production
Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Musical | Nominated | [17] | |
Outstanding Book of a Musical | Kristen Anderson-Lopez, James-Allen Ford, Russ Kaplan and Sara Wordsworth | Nominated | |||
Outstanding Director of a Musical | Joe Calarco | Nominated | |||
Outstanding Ensemble | Won | ||||
Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical | Jon Weston | Nominated | |||
Drama League Award | Distinguished Production of a Musical | Nominated | [18] | ||
Lucille Lortel Awards | Outstanding Musical | Nominated | [19] | ||
Outstanding Scenic Design | Anna Louizos | Nominated | |||
Outstanding Costume Design | Jennifer Caprio | Nominated | |||
Outstanding Sound Design | Jon Weston | Nominated | |||
Outer Critics Circle Award | Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical | Nominated | [20] |
References
- ↑ McPhee, Ryan. " 'In Transit', an A Cappella Musical from Kristen Anderson-Lopez & More, Will Travel to Broadway" broadway.com, June 27, 2016
- ↑ Considine, Allison. "Kristen Anderson-Lopez’s Next Stop? Broadway" American Theatre, November 8, 2016
- ↑ Wells, James. "There’s Music Everywhere, and Sara Wordsworth Wants You to Hear It" bmi.com, November 16, 2011
- ↑ "New York Musical Festival Archive 2004" nymf.org, accessed December 1, 2016
- ↑ Gans, Andrew. "A Cappella Musical 'In Transit' Begins York Theatre Company Run Aug. 8" Playbill, August 8, 2008
- ↑ Rapkin, Mickey. "A Cappella Theater" Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate A Cappella Glory, July 10, 2008
- ↑ Gans, Andrew (2010-09-21). "New Primary Stages Musical In Transit, with Denise Summerford, Tommar Wilson, Begins Sept. 21". Playbill. Retrieved 2016-11-21.
- ↑ Steven Suskin (2010-10-06). "In Transit". Variety. Retrieved 2016-11-21.
- ↑ Ken Jaworowski (2010-10-30). "A Sunny Urban Vision at 59E59 Theaters". New York Times. Retrieved 2016-11-21.
- ↑ In Transit lortel.org, accessed December 14, 2016
- ↑ "In Transit". ibdb.com. Retrieved 2016-11-21.
- ↑ "In Transit". Intransitbroadway.com. Retrieved 2016-11-21.
- ↑ oscaremoore.com
- ↑ Gans, Andrew. " 'In Transit', New A Cappella Musical, Begins Broadway Previews" Playbill, November 10, 2016
- ↑ Viagas, Robert. "See How the Critics Reviewed 'In Transit' on Broadway" Playbill, December 11, 2016
- ↑ McPhee, Ryan. " 'In Transit' Sets Broadway Closing Date" Playbill, April 11, 2017
- ↑ "Drama Desk Award Winners Announced". theatermania.com. May 24, 2011.
- ↑ "2011 Drama League Nominations Announced – Complete List!". Broadway World. April 25, 2011.
- ↑ "Mantello, 'Bloody Bloody', 'Starcatcher' & More Earn 2011 Lortel Award Noms; Full List Announced!". broadwayworld.com. March 31, 2011.
- ↑ "Awards for 2010-2011". outercritics.org. Retrieved December 1, 2016.