S54 06 Sweet Charity Notes
Sweet Charity Director's Notes: From Barbara Clippinger
Sometimes things come full circle. It was my great pleasure to choreograph the very first big musical to ever be done on the LLT stage. Now it is my honor to direct the very last musical that will be done on the original stage as the upcoming renovations will include replacement of the current stage.
In looking back, I find I have done fifteen musicals for LLT including tonight’s show, Sweet Charity. It was about twenty years ago when the LLT Board told us that musicals cannot be done here. “The stage is too small and we can’t fly anything.” So Larry Greccov and I fought for the chance to do a musical and won. In 1997 we did The Unsinkable Molly Brown with a cast of thirty-four. It brought a standing ovation every night.
You would be astounded at the dedication, commitment and time it takes to put on a musical. For about five months, the actors, dancers and singers spend about six hours a day working and learning the lines, dance steps and songs. The choreographers, musical directors and Director spend close to a year preparing for the show. And when you add all of the other people involved, from sets to sound, to costumes, to lighting and more, you can easily see it takes a village to put on a successful musical.
So, why anyone would want to put in all that work? I can tell you. Because it’s fun! We love it. And with every show, we gain a whole, new, loving family. We hope you enjoy the show.