The
Glorious Ones

By Ahrens & Flaherty

REGIONAL PREMIERE!
presented at BoHo Theatre @ Heartland Studio
Oct 16 — Nov 21, 2009
remounted at
Theatre On The Lake
June 23 — June 27, 2010

Directed by
Stephen M. Genovese

Musical Direction
by Nick Sula

Produced by
Thomas J. Samorian

Cast:
Courtney Crouse, Katie Siri, Danni Smith, Eric Damon Smith,
John Taflan, Dana Tretta, and Tom Weber

Nominated for EIGHT Jeff Awards!!
Outstanding Production (Musical),
Outstanding Direction (Musical): Stephen M. Genovese,
Outstanding Ensemble,
Principle Actor (Musical): Eric Damon Smith.
Supporting Actress (Musical): Danni Smith,
Supporting Actress (Musical): Dana Tretta
Outstanding Musical Direction: Nick Sula,
Outstanding Costume Design: Theresa Ham

A jolly group of itinerant actors sing of themselves in The Glorious Ones, a new musical about the roistering life of the clowns who paved the streets of 16th-century Italy with sight gags and sex jokes. Based on the novel by Francine Prose, the musical tells how the troupe came to be and how it captured the public's adoration with its bawdy comedy, before changing artistic fashion altered its life.

With buoyant music by Stephen Flaherty and a bawdy book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens (both of Ragtime and Once on this Island fame), the show mixes the lowdown pratfalls of commedia dell arte with the rosy sentimentality of classic American musical comedy. It encourages sniggers in one scene, as we watch the players perform classic comic sketches on a scrappy wooden stage, and sympathy in the next, when we sneak behind the scenes to lend an ear to their hopes, fears and heartaches.

Its seven archetypal characters are -- the charismatic leading man, the sly harlequin, the quack "dottore", the old miser, the voluptuous leading lady, the devoted dwarf, and the elegant Moon Woman.

Rave reviews for The Glorious Ones:

"With song after song and scene after scene, we are drawn in by this completely engaging and endearing cast, each and everyone delivering outstanding work. The Glorious Ones is heavy on emotional connection and generous with delight. Director Stephen Genovese and Musical Director Nick Sula have crafted a stunning production that thoroughly engages as it sweeps you away."
-- Venus Zarris, Chicago Stage Review

"The 'American Idol'-worthy ballad called "My Body Wasn't Why" has a courtesan-turned-actress (played by a delightful Danni Smith) sing of the moment when her lover finally saw her as something more than a sex object. There is an entire world's worth of ideas about sexuality and love contained in that one song."
-- Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune

The Glorious Ones Production Photos:
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