Delray Square Performing Arts is bringing the Broadway musical "Shenandoah" to the local stage. Based on a 1965 film starring James Stewart, the show debuted on Broadway in 1975 and garnered six Tony Award nominations, winning two.
The saga centers on a strong-willed Virginia farmer, Charlie Anderson, as he strives to keep his family neutral during the Civil War. The family's story is a heart-rending portrayal of the upheaval that left wounds on the land and its people for generations to come.
In 1989, Delray Square Performing Arts' director Gary Waldman saw a Broadway revival of "Shenandoah." He was 24 years old. It left a lasting impression on Waldman. More importantly, the patriarch's role inspired him.
"I was just a kid," Waldman said, too young to play a 50-year-old man. "I said in 25 years I'm playing that role."
Now exactly 25 years later, Waldman turns 50 in three months - and he's playing Charlie Anderson. "I've always wanted to do it. It's an iconic role for males on Broadway," he said. Waldman has earned his chops to get there.
He's a two-time Carbonell Award nominee. Waldman is best known for creating the role of Izzie Jacobson in the 7-year-long national tour of "Paved with Gold" (a role he played at every single performance).
More recently, he's starred as an alcoholic indigent in "The Sounds of Simon" and in his semi-autobiographical musical "What I Learned in Fallsburg."
Waldman stresses that playing the father's character is more than a "vanity trip" for him. "I've always loved the show," he said. "People love it. When I saw it on Broadway it had the biggest audience response I've ever seen."
Also, "Shenandoah" fits the niche that Waldman and producing partner Jamison Troutman like to fill. They opt for appealing shows that are "something nobody else does," Waldman said.
Other principles included South Florida performers Courtney Poston, Victoria Lauzun (correction from original article), Eliana Ghen, Jonathan Eisele and Richard Forbes; also, two out-of-town actors from the previous show "Piaf," Jacob Grant and Scott Gunner.
Resident choreographer Ben Solmor provides the musical staging.
Music direction is by chief creative collaborator Phil Hinton. Some of the more familiar original songs from "Shenandoah" include the Broadway standard, "Freedom Along with Meditation," "Next to Lovin'" and "We Make a Beautiful Pair."
Margo Burral, General Manager, said the New Year's Eve show sold out quite quickly. "I've been getting lots of calls," she said. "We're very excited."
Delray Square Performing Arts is at 4809 W. Atlantic Ave. in Delray Beach. "Shenandoah" opens Jan. 7 and runs through March 1. Tickets are $37.50; previews Jan. 2 to 4 are $32.50. Performances are 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Call 561-880-0319 or visit DelraySquareArts.com.
