A ‘Most Happy’ Musical for Mt. Pleasant Theatre Company This Weekend
“The Most Happy Fella” may not be the most well-known play, but members of the Mount Pleasant Community Theatre are promising that residents will enjoy themselves when its version of the musical opens this weekend.
The story is set at an Italian winery and revolves around an older man marrying a younger woman. Ruth Murden, a volunteer at the show, said much of the music will be recognized by the audience’s older members, but younger attendees will also find themselves entertained.
“It’s really a very happy show,” Murden said.
The annual musical is put together by the theater group in a short period of time. Auditions were held in mid-June followed by a six-week rehearsal period. Cast members meet five days a week. Director and choreographer Rose Cremonese-Norton explained that this year an extra week of rehearsal time was needed because of the difficulty of the music and dance numbers.
“I think the dancing parts are quite difficult and, of course, with this show, you do need legitimate voices. That was very important,” she said.
Cremonese-Norton said although there were worries about finding singers who would be able to tackle the difficult lead vocal parts, she was able to fill the roles with ease. More difficult, however, was finding chorus members to complete the ensemble cast. She said the extra week’s rehearsal time caused scheduling difficulties for Westlake High School, where the production will be staged. Also, college students who usually volunteer were left with just over a week to spare before many start heading back to school, but Cremonese-Norton managed to complete the cast.
“The Most Happy Fella” marks the 44th Mount Pleasant Community Theatre production that has been directed and choreographed by Cremonese-Norton, a group she founded in 1971. This year, she chose a more obscure play because she wanted to do something unexpected.
“I just wanted something different this year and I hope that the audience will trust my judgment because I think it’s a fabulous show,” she said.
Cremonese-Norton performed in a production of “The Most Happy Fella” years ago and still keeps in touch with some of those cast mates. Rosemarie Patane Stevens, the woman who played the female lead role of Rosabella when Cremonese-Norton performed, currently lives in Pleasantville and will be her special guest at the opening night of the performance.
Cremonese-Norton, who owns and operates Rose’s School of Dance in Hawthorne, said organizing and directing the productions hasn’t gotten easier, but it’s something she’s not ready to give up. A positive attitude is the key to creating a successful play year after year.
“I just love every minute of it. Every day is a new experience, and when you get to be my age, that’s a blessing,” said Cremonese-Norton, now in her early eighties.
“Every year, we think this is going to be the last one, but she plugs away again,” Murden added.
Murden said the cast is a combination of people who have been with the theater group since the 1970s and new members who want to give acting a shot. Even though Mount Pleasant Community Theatre is local, cast members hail from all over Westchester and even Rockland.
“It’s the Mount Pleasant Community Theatre, but it encompasses anybody who wants to be with us. We’re very, very happy about that,” said Cremonese-Norton, who choreographs all of the production’s dance numbers.
Sabrina Larkin and Gabriella Murden, both of whom studied dance with her from the time they were toddlers, return each year to teach the footwork to the cast.
“Once I get them, I keep them for life,” Cremonese-Norton joked.
All five performances will be at the John S. Whearty Theater at Westlake High School starting this Friday, Aug 8. at 8 p.m. and continuing through Aug. 16. (The theater was named for the school’s first principal; his grandson, Justin Thomas, is a college student who is in this production.)
Tickets are $20 for adults and $17 for seniors and students. For more information or to buy tickets in advance, visit www.mpctshows.com.
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