Page 10 - Boca Expsoure - November '20

Page 10, Boca Exposure

Closer Than Ever, Award-Winning Boca Raton Musical Show

Set For Streaming On Demand, Nov. 27 to Dec. 31

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

“Knowing what we are facing in live performance
logistically and what would resonate artistically, for me first click. Tickets are $20.
By Laura Berrio, the choice was Maltby and Shire’s Closer Than Ever,” MNM Theatre Company is an award-winning not-
Freelance Writer/Blogger said Jonathan Van Dyke, who directed and staged the for-profit 501(c)(3) theatre company whose mission is to
Let’s uncork the production. “The title alone says so much of where we produce high quality professional live theatre that inspires
mystery surrounding are. While unable to be close physically, in our hearts and audiences and enriches the cultural life of the community
decanting. Why do we minds we are Closer Than Ever. while creating Florida based jobs in the Arts.
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