Posted 2:48 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014
UW-L alumni and students say the musical production of "Edges" resonates with many — as it covers topics of love, commitment, identity and meaning.
[caption id="attachment_4535" align="alignright" width="800"]
From left are “Edges” cast members: Lily Cornwell, Quinn Masterson, Callie Boydston, Seth Von Steidl and Crystalia Varelis.[/caption]
In a musical on campus this month, UW-L Senior Quinn Masterson portrays a recent college graduate who is less than thrilled to be working a retail job at Macy’s.
It may be just one of the characters he plays throughout the production, but the emotions are real. Masterson graduates in May, and, like his character, he wonders what’s next.
“I think the unknown — it’s scary,” he says.
[caption id="attachment_4537" align="alignright" width="350"]
Quinn Masterson, “Edges” producer and cast member.[/caption]
Masterson hopes his character resonates with the audience and gives them a chance to reflect on their own life. That’s also the larger goal of Happy Rain Theatre Co., a group started by UW-L alumni, Kevin Fanshaw, ’12, and Austin Hernandez, ’13, in 2011.
The group, independent from the university and student-run, unites students and alumni through performance. Members aim to show audiences a mirror to learn more about themselves — both the joy and the rain of the human experience. Ultimately, they’d like to leave people with the perception that a cloudy day isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
“Rain is a beautiful thing. It is something everyone experiences and something everyone has the opportunity to experience in a variety of ways, depending on one's mindset,” says Fanshaw. “A rainy day could be a cozy day in a coffee shop, a pinnacle romantic moment, or a soggy inconvenience; it's up to you. We strive to create experiences that ultimately result in happiness.”
Masterson is one of six characters in Happy Rain Theatre’s musical production of “Edges” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 5 -6, in the Frederick Theatre in Morris Hall. “Edges” is the fourth annual performance of the theatre group.
It’s a show about fresh starts in life. It’s about relationships to oneself and others, and it shows how people ultimately find their way in the world.
“I think everyone can relate to some part of this show — a relationship or an anecdote,” says UW-L Senior Lewis Youngren, a theater major and the show’s director.
[caption id="attachment_4538" align="alignleft" width="350"]
Matt Salvo, ’14, was a piano performance major and is “Edges” musical director.[/caption]
Youngren says he and the show’s Music Director Matt Salvo, a May 2014 graduate, make a good team.
Music directing has made Salvo realize the skills he learned as a UW-L piano performance major.
“I’ve learned so much from this school, and I really love the chance to keep the connection,” says Salvo. “I’m definitely learning through this entire experience.”
Salvo would like to get enough experience to one day take his music theater experience to Broadway.
Youngren calls his first-time directing a good first step toward his goals of becoming a professional actor in New York or Chicago.
Masterson says he is learning more about his future — just rehearsing the script. By the end of the play, his character figures out the right path for his future. Masterson looks forward to applying that self discovery in his own life and sharing it with the audience.
“For most of us, it’s pretty real. We are all in different stages of our life and figuring out where we want to be,” he says. “I’m excited for people to see it.”
Kevin Fanshaw, '12[/caption]
The Happy Rain Theatre Company is a student-run production company comprised of UW-L Theatre students and alumni. Past Happy Rain productions include “Dog Sees God,” “Impassioned Embraces” and “Three Changes.” UW-L alumni Kevin Fanshaw, ’12, and Austin Hernandez, ’13, started the group in 2011 and continue to support productions.
From left are “Edges” cast members: Lily Cornwell, Quinn Masterson, Callie Boydston, Seth Von Steidl and Crystalia Varelis.[/caption]
In a musical on campus this month, UW-L Senior Quinn Masterson portrays a recent college graduate who is less than thrilled to be working a retail job at Macy’s.
It may be just one of the characters he plays throughout the production, but the emotions are real. Masterson graduates in May, and, like his character, he wonders what’s next.
“I think the unknown — it’s scary,” he says.
[caption id="attachment_4537" align="alignright" width="350"] Quinn Masterson, “Edges” producer and cast member.[/caption]
Masterson hopes his character resonates with the audience and gives them a chance to reflect on their own life. That’s also the larger goal of Happy Rain Theatre Co., a group started by UW-L alumni, Kevin Fanshaw, ’12, and Austin Hernandez, ’13, in 2011.
The group, independent from the university and student-run, unites students and alumni through performance. Members aim to show audiences a mirror to learn more about themselves — both the joy and the rain of the human experience. Ultimately, they’d like to leave people with the perception that a cloudy day isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
“Rain is a beautiful thing. It is something everyone experiences and something everyone has the opportunity to experience in a variety of ways, depending on one's mindset,” says Fanshaw. “A rainy day could be a cozy day in a coffee shop, a pinnacle romantic moment, or a soggy inconvenience; it's up to you. We strive to create experiences that ultimately result in happiness.”
Masterson is one of six characters in Happy Rain Theatre’s musical production of “Edges” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 5 -6, in the Frederick Theatre in Morris Hall. “Edges” is the fourth annual performance of the theatre group.
It’s a show about fresh starts in life. It’s about relationships to oneself and others, and it shows how people ultimately find their way in the world.
“I think everyone can relate to some part of this show — a relationship or an anecdote,” says UW-L Senior Lewis Youngren, a theater major and the show’s director.
[caption id="attachment_4538" align="alignleft" width="350"] Matt Salvo, ’14, was a piano performance major and is “Edges” musical director.[/caption]
Youngren says he and the show’s Music Director Matt Salvo, a May 2014 graduate, make a good team.
Music directing has made Salvo realize the skills he learned as a UW-L piano performance major.
“I’ve learned so much from this school, and I really love the chance to keep the connection,” says Salvo. “I’m definitely learning through this entire experience.”
Salvo would like to get enough experience to one day take his music theater experience to Broadway.
Youngren calls his first-time directing a good first step toward his goals of becoming a professional actor in New York or Chicago.
Masterson says he is learning more about his future — just rehearsing the script. By the end of the play, his character figures out the right path for his future. Masterson looks forward to applying that self discovery in his own life and sharing it with the audience.
“For most of us, it’s pretty real. We are all in different stages of our life and figuring out where we want to be,” he says. “I’m excited for people to see it.”
If you go —
What: The Happy Rain Theatre Co. presents the nontraditional musical “Edges” by award-winning composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 5 -6 Where: Frederick Theatre, in the lower level of Morris Hall on the corner of State and 16th streets. Cost: Free, but donations are appreciated to support future Happy Rain Theatre Company productions. Tickets: are available at the door only starting one hour prior to each performance. General admission; limited seating available.What is Happy Rain?
[caption id="attachment_4539" align="alignright" width="250"] Kevin Fanshaw, '12[/caption]
The Happy Rain Theatre Company is a student-run production company comprised of UW-L Theatre students and alumni. Past Happy Rain productions include “Dog Sees God,” “Impassioned Embraces” and “Three Changes.” UW-L alumni Kevin Fanshaw, ’12, and Austin Hernandez, ’13, started the group in 2011 and continue to support productions.