[stage left]

Political Unrest:
ByChance presents thought-provoking theater with ‘Two Rooms’ [more]

Lessons Learned:
UNCW authors’ vuews on handling life in short plays [more]

New Dinner Theater:
TriUs Productions opens with ‘Songs for a New World’

By: Susan Zedella

Performing live theater is all about taking risks. In fact, French playwright Antonin Artaut talks of risk as a prerequisite for great theater—not just for the actors but for the audience as well. If anyone understands what it means to take risks, it is the producers of the freshest new theater company in Wilmington, TriUs Productions.

TriUs has created a truly unique approach to musical theater by combining storefront theater, dinner theater, multimedia integration, all within the cabaret style. Sure, theater-goers may have experienced these elements before; however, the talented quad of TriUs producers believes this is the first time Wilmington audiences will see such features combined into one performance.

The innovative minds of Alisa Harris, Chiaki Ito, Dana M. Harrison and Rachael Moser have joined forces to create TriUs. The name, while it is a homophone, also represents an important hobby for Ito and Harrison. The “Tri” stands for tri-athletes, and the name was decided upon during a 28-mile bike ride on Topsail Island. “We also didn’t want anything specific to one genre,” Harris, the director, explained.

For its inaugural performance, TriUs will present the modern musical revue by Jason Robert Brown, “Songs for a New World.” Bringing in the element of cabaret theater, “Songs For A New World” is more of a song cycle than a traditional musical. With a cast comprising four women and two men, the show moves swiftly from one song to the next. Although the songs do not have a continuous plot, each is individually character driven. Music director Ito explained, “For me personally, this is really close to my heart; it’s about making positive changes in life.”

Harrison continued, “The music is so personal and part of our souls.”
The music is heavily influenced by a broad range of genres, from classical to jazz, pop and gospel. “It makes me feel kind schizophrenic,” Ito joked. “It is one of the most difficult shows I’ve ever had to play on the piano.”

The pacing is so varied and the styles so rapidly changing, that it makes for an extremely challenging score. Fortunately, Ito has the experience to gudie it with expertise. “She is a phenomenal music director,” Harris explained, “the best in town.”

The cast of “Songs For A New World” is also made up of some of Wilmington’s finest performers. The small ensemble consists of Jason Aycock, Courtney Bowden, Tracy Byrd, Kendra Goehring, Dana M. Harrison and Katherine Vernon. Harrison explained, “We had auditions, and by auditions we mean...”

“We mean we hand-picked our cast,” Harris finished for her with a smile.

“We really work hard at listening to each other and to our directors,” Harrison continued.

Ito added that there are very difficult harmonies in the show, making it imperative for the cast members to listen not only to the directors but also to each other. “It comes out as one unified voice,” Harris stated, “which is really gratifying.”

In addition to bringing an innovative new style of theater to Wilmington, TriUs also can add community service to its long list of positive attributes. On Friday, July 18th, TriUs Productions will present a special benefit performance for Adopt-an-Angel. Founded in January of 2004, Adopt-an-Angel is a nonprofit foster-home network, relying solely on volunteer labor, that adopts cats and dogs from New Hanover and Brunswick County shelters. Harrison explained that all of the TriUs producers are “rabid dog owners” who feel that the service provided by Adopt-an-Angel is remarkable.

“They even provide vouchers to have your pets spayed or neutered, if you cannot afford it,” Harrison explained. A few months ago, the organization suffered a huge loss when its van, full of supplies, was stolen. The day that the news of the crime aired was, coincidentally, the very same day that TriUs had formed. The producers saw the news report and felt completely compelled to help. “We wanted a way to announce us in a big way,” Harris stated. “This is a win-win for all of us.”

Tickets for the one-time special benefit for Adopt-an-Angel are $75, including dinner and the show. Additional performances will take place on July 17th, July 19th-20th, July 24th-27th, and July 31st-August 3rd. Tickets are $20 for Thursday and Sunday performances, and $30 for Friday and Saturday performances. Tickets for Friday and Saturday will include hors d’oeuvre. A cash bar will be available at each show. All performances will take place at Roudabush Café, at 33 South Front Street, and will begin promptly at 8pm. To reserve tickets, (advance reservations are highly recommended, as less than 80 seats are available for each show) visit triusproductions.com, or call 910-622-4766.