MAKING ROOM FOR ROOMS AT THEATRE WORKS USA

[hockeynut2]

Posted: 7/9/08 at 10:11pm

MAKING ROOM FOR ROOMS
Attending a Rehearsal of the musical Rooms at Theatre Works USA
by Joel Markowitz
DC Theatre Scene.com

Walking into Theatre Works USA on West 26th Street, I thought I was watching the opening of 42nd Street. A swarm of tap dancers, in town for the Tap City 2008 convention that weekend, were tap-tap-tapping away in some rehearsal rooms. I felt so light-footed, I just wanted to get in line and tap away with them.

As I entered the space about 20 minutes earlier than my invite, (I was so excited I just couldn’t help myself), I was once again lured into the web of The Spider Woman herself, Ms. Diaz.

What is Rooms about?

According to the Geva Theatre Center’s website: “Monica is a self-described Scottish-Jewish princess has dreams of musical stardom and talent to match. Ian is a hard-drinking Catholic rock-n-roller. They meet, sparks fly and what begins as a partnership leads to passion as they travel the road to success from Glasgow to London to New York. But when they blow their big break at CBGB’s in New York, their careers and their love are both on the line.”

What did I see and hear?

I heard two glorious voices filling a rehearsal room with sheer beauty and emotion with musical director Jesse Vargas tickling the ivories for them. I watched director Scott Schwartz, husband and wife co-book writers Miriam Gordon and Paul Scott Goodman, (who also wrote the music and lyrics), stage manager Jessica Winfield and assistant stage manager Danielle Hutchinson, producer Van Dean and Paul Cozby - all beam while their two stars, Natascia Diaz and Doug Kreeger rehearsed three songs from Rooms....

Read more at the link.

Making Room For Rooms - A Visit to a Rehearsal of the Musical Rooms at Theatre Works USA

[chrysler99]

Posted: 7/9/08 at 11:50pm

I remember enjoying this at the 2005 NYMF. I wonder what they've done with the show. Hopefully I can get down to DC to see this new production.