Page 4 - Boca Club News - November '20

Page 4, Boca Club News
Boca Happenings

“Closer Than Ever,” Award-Winning Boca Raton Musical Show

Set for Streaming On Demand, November 27th-December 31st

MNM Theatre Company, like almost every theatre “The humanity and honesty of the songs delivers such a
company around the world, has been drastically affected layered theatrical experience. Maltby and Shire have created
by COVID-19. All scheduled productions have either been over a dozen Broadway shows, film and television scores, and
cancelled or postponed indefinitely, with no re-start date in are the recipients of Grammy, Tony and Academy Awards.”
sight. However, the company’s Producing Artistic Director Closer Than Ever stars Aaron Bower, Johnbarry Green,
and CEO Marcie Gorman and Director Jonathan Van Dyke and Carbonell Award-winners Shelley Keelor, and Elijah
have come up with an innovative way to provide audiences Word, all of whom have worked with MNM Theatre
with theatre. The company’s first production, Maltby and Company in the past. The technical crew, also all MNM
Shire’s Closer Than Ever, will debut on November 27th and alumni, includes Eric Alsford as the production’s Musical
be available for On Demand streaming through December Director, and Emily Tarello as the Choreographer, as well
31st. as Lighting Designer Clifford Michael Spulock, Sound
Filmed at MNM’s Boca Raton warehouse/studio, Closer Designer by Mike Kelly, Scenic Designer Cindy Taylor, and
Than Ever is a nonstop exploration of everyday struggles Set Designer Jordan Armstrong. Johnbarry Green served as
in the “modern world.” Topics ranging from unrequited Aaron Bower Shelley Kellor Technical Director, Cliff Burgess as Videographer, Michael
adoration... to aging... to Muzak are tackled with resounding Joseph as Assistant Videographer, wigs by Tease & Floof
sincerity and precisely placed hilarity. Each song is a unique Custom Wig Boutique, and Amber Mandic and Andrea
story told by a new character, taking audiences into the Guardo were the production’s co-Stage Managers and co-
minds of the individuals facing these completely relatable Props Mistresses.
challenges. Lyricists Richard Maltby Jr. and David Shire The award-winning duo, lyricist Richard Maltby, Jr. (Miss
based many of the songs on real-life experiences of their Saigon, Fosse, Ring of Fire) and composer David Shire (film
friends, or stories told to them. The show won the Outer scores include The Conversation, The Taking of Pelham One
Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical. Two Three, All the President’s Men, and parts of Saturday
“Since we haven’t been together for a long time, we knew Night Fever), began working together as students at Yale
it was time to be Closer Than Ever,” Gorman says. “Just the University. Their first Broadway credit as a team was in 1968,
name of this show seemed to be a perfect fit for these times when their song “The Girl of the Minute” was used in the
- so many of us are still so far apart and yet in many ways, Johnbarry Green Elijah Word revue New Faces of 1968. Their shared credits include Baby
Closer Than Ever. (1983), Big (1996) and Take Flight (2007). Richard Maltby
“And Jonathan has developed a safe and incredibly COVID protocols and remained as isolated as possible conceived and directed the only two musical revues to win
creative way to present it to audiences”, she continues. “I’m unless rehearsing or performing. They were COVID tested the Tony Award for Best Musical: Ain’t Misbehavin’ (1978)
excited about this on so many levels, not the least of which frequently; their temperatures were taken each time they and Fosse (1999). David Shire won the Oscar for the theme
is to provide work for our actors and technical people, most entered the building; and they were required to hand sanitize song to Norma Rae “It Goes Like It Goes”; as a pianist Shire
of whom haven’t worked for months, and are so looking multiple times every day. They maintained at minimum a played for the original productions of both The Fantasticks
forward to once again ‘making theatre.’” 6-foot social distance whether on stage or off; and masks were and Funny Girl.
The studio was cleaned and sanitized regularly. Maximum worn at all times unless the actor was on stage or being filmed. Closer Than Ever will begin streaming on November 27th
safety precautions were observed from the start of rehearsals A very small invited audience was present at one taping – but and will be available On Demand through December 31st
through the final performance: Individual show segments everyone had his or her temperature taken, audience members on Music Theatre International’s (MTI) streaming platform
were filmed separately; actors and tech crew observed were properly socially distanced, and each audience member www.ShowTix4U.com via MNM Theatre Company’s
were part of the show’s participants’ “bubble.” website www.mnmtheatre.org or on the company’s Facebook
“Knowing what we are facing in live performance page www.facebook.com/mnmtheatrecompany. Once
logistically and what would resonate artistically, for me tickets are purchased, patrons will receive a link to view the
the choice was Maltby & Shire’s Closer Than Ever,” said production. The link will be active for 48 hours from the first
Jonathan Van Dyke, who directed and staged the production. click. Tickets are $20.
“The title alone says so much of where we are. While unable MNM Theatre Company is an award-winning not-for-
to be close physically, in our hearts and minds we are Closer profit 501(c)(3) theatre company whose mission is to produce
Than Ever. high quality professional live theatre that inspires audiences
“Working with MNM and our integrated video concept, and enriches the cultural life of the community while creating
we found a way to navigate safety measures and still execute Florida based jobs in the Arts.
some intimate moments in an artistic way,” he continued.

Boca Public Library Hosts Free Virtual

Presentation For American Diabetes Month

The CDC estimates that one in every three adults is Diabetes and Medication Management: Saturday,
at risk for pre-diabetes. November is American Diabetes November 21st, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Month, a time to spread the word about risk factors and This session is designed to help people who have
prevention, diabetes management, and resources. In diabetes or care for those with diabetes understand different
partnership with the Boca Raton Public Library, Nova medication options. Some people can manage it with
Southeastern University’s Interprofessional Diabetes healthy eating and exercise, or with oral medications, while
Education and Awareness (IDEA) team will hold the others may also need to use insulin. The most important
following free virtual presentation: thing is to get to feeling your best.
This program is free and open to the public. Enrollment
is required through the calendar at www.bocalibrary.org. A
Zoom link will be emailed upon enrollment.