Write a musical in three weeks? Sure, George and Carol Walcott can do it.
At least that's what they keep telling the two washed-up Broadway producers in the world premiere of Bemused, a slickstick comedy at Theatre North West April 24 to May 14.
Steven Greenfield and Ksenia Thurgood play the song-writing duo that dares to do the impossible.
The play is set in the 40s in a New York apartment where the audience will find the pickled producers, a singing chamber maid and the world's oldest tap-dancing bellhop. There's even a fiendishly clever skunk, but we'll have to wait to see the show for more on that.
Not only is it the play's debut but it's also both Greenfield's and Thurgood's debut. This is a first time for both at Theatre North West, whose reputation of outstanding hospitality and the utmost professionalism is well-known throughout the theatre community in Canada.
Greenfield, who is originally from Calgary and is now based in Vancouver, is playing double duty as George and the vocal director for the play. He'll be guiding those who have to sing and dance and also those who will be playing the piano. And then there's the role of George, a character who is neurotic and reacts to stress with panic attacks and seeks his wife's guidance for the more practical things, like finding ways to earn a living so they can eat.
"George and Carol are jingle writers from Wisconsin who have had a small amount of success with popular music and then they get roped into writing a musical in three weeks for Broadway," said Greenfield, who is an award-winning and nominated actor, especially for musical theatre.
Thurgood plays Carol, the lyricist of the song-writing team, whose character is the voice of reason in most situations.
"Carol is a bit of a strong woman," said Thurgood, who is a writer and an award-nominated musical theatre performer. "The play is set in 1944 where women took more of a front seat because most of the men were off to war and the women didn't have a choice other than to look after their family and look after themselves and I think that bleeds a bit into their relationship. She definitely wears the metaphorical pants."
The play has a lot of physical comedy in it - there are also some poignant scenes it in too - and then jumps to more farcical tendencies.
"It defies genre really," said Greenfield. "This is so exciting for us to be part of this world premiere, but also it's exciting for Theatre North West and the Prince George community to be hosting a world premiere of this Canadian play."
Tickets for the world premiere are at Books & Co, 1685 Third Ave.
