MEDIA CONTACT: Judy Moore at 847-491-4819 or jkm229@northwestern.edu

April 26, 2005

Waa-Mu Show 2005 to Present Hilarious and Touching View of Theatre

EVANSTON, Ill. --- The 2005 Waa-Mu Show “Waiting in the Wings” will provide audiences with a comic and often touching behind the scenes peek into the process of creating live theatre.

The 74th edition of one of America’s most famous college music revues will bring to life the work of Northwestern student writers, composers, lyricists and performers through stories and songs focused on all aspects of the theatre. Many of the sketches are based on the actor’s real life experiences. Mallory Thompson is the show’s musical director.

Performances are scheduled for 8 p.m. April 29; 2 and 8 p.m. April 30; 2 p.m. May 1; 8 p.m. May 4; 8 p.m. May 5; 8 p.m. May 6; 2 and 8 p.m. May 7; and 2 p.m. May 8, at Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St., Evanston campus. 

Director Dominic Missimi and the 2005 Waa-Mu Show cast members will welcome and entertain diners during an 11:30 a.m. Sunday, May 8 pre-show Mother’s Day Brunch at the Hilton Garden Inn, Evanston.

“It’s a very smart show with smart ideas and lyrics by theater senior Alan Schmuckler, our principal composer,” said Missimi, a Northwestern theatre faculty member and the director of the Waa-Mu Show for the 11th consecutive year.

The production opens with two actors on stage -- one young, one old -- applying their stage makeup, and asking themselves “Why do we do it?’”

“Though the show explores some serious moments, it also has lots of silly ones, including a group of disco dancing ‘techees,’” Missimi added. Another skit deals with an actor who copes with stage fright by climbing into a cardboard box.

The first 10 minutes of the production -- among Missimi’s favorite -- include brief stage appearances by Dracula, Mary Poppins, the “Wizard of Oz’s” Dorothy Gale of Kansas, and the King of Siam. From the backstage setting, the opening segues into a flashy opening dance number. 

“The first act explores what is involved in learning the craft of theatre (at Northwestern), while the second act, which is set in New York, explains how the young artists put their knowledge to use,” said Jarrod Zimmerman. He is student co-chair of the 2005 Waa-Mu Show with seniors Alan Schmuckler and Claire Wilmoth.

All of the nooks and crannies of the stage will be exposed to the audience this year.

Single tickets are $27 (Tier 1) to $21 (Tier 2) for the general public; $17 (Tier 2 only) for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $11 (Tier 2 only) for children and students.

Tickets for the May 8 pre-show Mother’s Day Brunch are $32 per person. Brunch reservations are required.

For 2005 Waa-Mu-Show tickets, information or Mother’s Day Brunch reservations, call (847) 491-7282.