BWW Interviews: Founder Johnny Hebda on Utah Musical Theatre Company

5. What made you decide to produce Side Show as your first production?

I felt that SIDE SHOW fit the missions and goals of theatre perfectly. I really wanted to make a statement and make a "big splash" so to speak with our inaugural production. I like challenging shows that really share an important message. I had the opportunity to be in the regional premiere of SIDE SHOW and it made an impression on me. I felt that this would stretch me as a director and that it is a story that needed to be shared in Utah. I am always fascinated with true-life stories. Real life is always more interesting than fiction, and I am often drawn to musicals that feature real-life historical figures personally dealing with injustices or that teach a lesson that we can all learn from. Hence PARADE (which was one of my last directing projects) and now SIDE SHOW.

6. Tell us about the rest of your season.

Our 2013 season will feature 4 Utah Premieres (SIDE SHOW, I LOVE YOU BECAUSE, WHAT THE BELLHOP SAW, BONNIE AND CLYDE), 2 of our shows are non-musicals (WHAT THE BELLHOP SAW and RABBIT HOLE) and 5 are musicals. We have different directors and production teams set up for each production. I felt that this provided a lot of diversity in shows and styles ranging from premieres to well-known shows (such as CAROUSEL and RENT) and would draw a wide range of talent throughout the state and a wide range of "theatre-goers" at the same time.

7. Tell us about the pre-show elements that have been added to Side Show.

I wanted the entire SIDE SHOW experience to be that as soon as an audience member walks through the door of the theatre that they are entering a 1930s side show tent. To aid in this experience, I have cast members ("side show freaks") seating the audience members as would have taken place in the 1930s (as side show performers were often required to work the streets to lure people into the side show tents to see "up close and personal encounters" with side show freaks for a fee or to purchase tickets to the show). I also have Elias "Lefty" Caress performing a pre-show as the audience enters the side show tent. He is a real side show performer and magician that has toured the U.S. with his act performing on TV shows and various variety show acts. This will help set the mood of the show and strengthen the ambiance of the audience's experience. The pre-show begins 30 minutes before curtain.

8. How was your audition process?

I started advertising auditions a couple months in advance to ensure we would have a great turnout. We had an abundance of talent show up to audiences. After audiences, we selected 5 sets of "twins" that we felt could work well together. We then encouraged each set of "twins" to rehearse together and gave them selected sides to read and learn in advance of callbacks (which we held one week later). In addition to the twins, we were looking for actors with personality and individuality that they could bring to the various roles. Rather than having an "ensemble" per se, I chose to cast each actor in a distinct role or character based on what I saw from them at callbacks. The SIDE SHOW script had 5 or 6 named characters in the ensemble. I came up with 20 named characters after callbacks in which I cast the various actors in and then challenged them to create unique characters that would contribute to the theme and concept of the show. This process created such characters as the Strong Man, an Armless Girl, a Four-Legged Woman, a Wolf Man, and a Demented Clown (to name a few).

9. What has it been like working with your cast and production team?

It has been a huge undertaking to say the least. No aspect of SIDE SHOW was easy. A large ensemble, each as an individual character, that had to move with some type of disability or uniqueness, in context of original staging and dancing (ie., armless girl dancing without arms, a midget performing all moves on her knees, or a four legged woman, etc.). Then add complex costuming and make-up, an elaborate set, twins that have to be conjoined the entire show, along with very challenging/contemporary music requiring sufficient technique in "belt and mix" techniques, a live band, intense acting scenes, demanding technical requirements, and then do all of this in a thrust stage was no small feat for even the most seasoned of directors.

But I am extremely pleased with the talent in the cast. I could not have asked for a better set of actresses to play Daisy and Violet Hilton. They are pretty perfect in look and voice. And the entire company (of about 60 people that are involved between cast and crew) have brought a level of professionalism that I am very proud to be a part of. Everyone has worked hard and made sacrifices. We have cast members that commute an hour or more to rehearsals (as our cast is made up of actors from Payson through North Salt Lake).

Additionally we have Anne Puzey (arguably the best music director in the state), Kevin Dudley (a professional set designer), and Blair Howell (an expert in theatre marketing), to name a few of the talented production team members.

10. Why is this production of Side Show worth seeing?

This is a rare opportunity to see the Utah premiere of SIDE SHOW because the challenges involved with this show and the extreme demands placed on any production team make this a large undertaking that no theatre has dared take on yet. It remains a relatively unknown show outside the theatre world. But the music is phenomenal and the message is powerful-love and acceptance of people regardless of their disabilities or differences. I think audiences will be able to relate to the message in SIDE SHOW and come away from the show touched and inspired. With the effort put into the show by so many and the incredibly talented cast and crew, this is a show not to be missed.

11. Is there anything else you'd like to say?

There is so much talent in Utah. I would like to provide more opportunities for theatre professionals to build their resumes and earn Equity membership. Over the next five years it is my hope that UMTC will become an Equity house or at least offer Equity contracts. And at the same time bring at least 20 or more premieres to Utah of powerful shows that probably would never make their way to Utah. In so doing, I believe Utah has the potential of becoming one of the dominant theatre communities in the nation. There is so much talent here, and UMTC will be one more vehicle in harnessing and developing that talent.

Side Show is playing at the Echo Theatre in Provo from January 19 to February 2, 2013. To buy tickets and for more information, visit www.utahmusicaltheatrecompany.com.

Photo Credit: Alex Weisman

Tyler Hinton is an avid theatre-goer and a big fan of Broadway musicals. He has a BA in Communications from Brigham Young University (BYU) with an emphasis in Public Relations and a minor in Theatre Studies. In the past, he has written for the BYU Daily Universe and the Connersville (Ind.) News-Examiner. He has also written and directed a handful of shows.

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