Possibly in the hopes of bringing rain to Southern California, The
Vagabond Players will present, "Two by Two," a musical that depicts
the story of Noah and the Ark for the final show of their 2002 season.
"Two by Two," also selected in celebration of Richard Rodgers’
centennial, will be performed at The Backlot Theater in Thousand
Oaks Nov. 1 – 24. The production is being directed by Paul
Marquie, with musical direction by Nancy Monson. The show is
being produced by Jackie Solway.
Noah, (Don Pearlman), Esther, (Eleanor Brand), and their three
sons, Shem, (Steve Perren), Ham, (Roscoe Gaines), and Japheth,
(Jim Harlow), must board the ark "Two by Two." In order to do so,
Noah and his sons must embark with their wives—only Japheth is
not married, and the family must find him a wife. The show is
designed to
deliver a lighthearted but shivering real message about humanity.
Vagabond Players will present, "Two by Two," a musical that depicts
the story of Noah and the Ark for the final show of their 2002 season.
"Two by Two," also selected in celebration of Richard Rodgers’
centennial, will be performed at The Backlot Theater in Thousand
Oaks Nov. 1 – 24. The production is being directed by Paul
Marquie, with musical direction by Nancy Monson. The show is
being produced by Jackie Solway.
Noah, (Don Pearlman), Esther, (Eleanor Brand), and their three
sons, Shem, (Steve Perren), Ham, (Roscoe Gaines), and Japheth,
(Jim Harlow), must board the ark "Two by Two." In order to do so,
Noah and his sons must embark with their wives—only Japheth is
not married, and the family must find him a wife. The show is
designed to
deliver a lighthearted but shivering real message about humanity.
| ??????? |
| GET A WIFE - From left, standing,is Jim Harlow (Japheth) and Roscoe Gaines (Ham), and sitting is Steve Perren (Shem), and on the floor is Don Pearlman, (Noah) rehearsing a scene from the show. |
| Thousand Oaks Acorn By Heather Milo Acorn Staff Writer |
| Vagabond Players move ‘Two by Two’ into Backlot Theater |
Pearlman has been acting and directing an ambitious number of Ventura County
productions. Brand was a regular on NBC radio and WATV television. Harlow has been
involved in Ventura County Theatre since 1985. Perren performs regularly with The
Cabrillo Music Theatre and in Ventura. James was last seen on The Vagabond Players’
stage in Plaza Suite and on the Conejo Players’ Stage in The Nerd. Gaines was last seen
in The Vagabond Players’ Murder at the Howard Johnson’s, and previously as
Raymond in The Conejo Players’ production of Down Along the Brazos. Melora Hutton
(Rachel) performs throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Melanie McGuire
(Goldie) was in The Vagabond Players’ Murder at the Howard Johnson’s.
"Two by Two" is co-produced by the Players and The Backlot Theater at 1408 East
Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks – across from Roxy’s Famous Deli, in the
Gold Coast Plaza. "Two by Two" will run at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m.
Sundays. Ticket prices are $14 (Adults) and $12 (Seniors/Students). Group sales are
available. To reserve tickets or request more information, call The Vagabond Players at
(805) 987-6039.
Marquie said that putting people to the biblical story truly brings it to life. He produced
"Two by Two" seven years ago with a local dinner theater, and has found that it is the kind
of classic story that people like to see time-and-again. The story’s traditional appeal
makes it a show for families: pretty much anyone who knows the story of Noah and the Ark
can appreciate it, he said, and suggested that children at least 10 and up should find the
show enjoyable.
The show’s set requirements threw a challenge the Players’ way: the actors plan to
literally build an ark onstage in front of the audience. This made it necessary to choreograph
both the movement to accompany songs, and the stage traffic required to construct an ark.
Set designer Tom Murray had his hands full. "You have to build it so the actors and
actresses can put it together," said Marquie.
The music is both humorous and clever.
"Imagine this: Your father is 600 years old. He hears God telling him to build an ark. What
would you say? You’d say he should be put away," is a part of show song called "Put
Him Away," where the children in Noah’s family try to have him committed. It is these
kinds of silly and human details that make the show wholesome entertainment, said
Marquie, who added that the music was quite smart.
The story is modified from the original for the sake of humor and unexpected plot twists.
God Himself steps in to make some adjustments. As Noah cannot work quite so fast at age
600, God brings him back to the youthful age of 90, prompting the song "90 Again." The
show deals with having belief in God, turning from Him, and then coming back to Him, said
Marquie, although he said the performance is, "Not religious. You don’t need to be a
particular faith to see the show."
Two by Two has an interesting history. Though it has not been performed in Ventura
County for the past seven years, the original show played on Broadway starring Danny
Kaye. About three or four shows into its run, Kaye reportedly fell and broke his leg, and did
the rest of the shows in a cast.
The Vagabond Players show similar commitment in their own theatrical contribution.
Marquie has known a number of the actors for years, and is pleased to be working with
them once more. "It’s kind of like coming home to family," he said.
productions. Brand was a regular on NBC radio and WATV television. Harlow has been
involved in Ventura County Theatre since 1985. Perren performs regularly with The
Cabrillo Music Theatre and in Ventura. James was last seen on The Vagabond Players’
stage in Plaza Suite and on the Conejo Players’ Stage in The Nerd. Gaines was last seen
in The Vagabond Players’ Murder at the Howard Johnson’s, and previously as
Raymond in The Conejo Players’ production of Down Along the Brazos. Melora Hutton
(Rachel) performs throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Melanie McGuire
(Goldie) was in The Vagabond Players’ Murder at the Howard Johnson’s.
"Two by Two" is co-produced by the Players and The Backlot Theater at 1408 East
Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks – across from Roxy’s Famous Deli, in the
Gold Coast Plaza. "Two by Two" will run at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m.
Sundays. Ticket prices are $14 (Adults) and $12 (Seniors/Students). Group sales are
available. To reserve tickets or request more information, call The Vagabond Players at
(805) 987-6039.
Marquie said that putting people to the biblical story truly brings it to life. He produced
"Two by Two" seven years ago with a local dinner theater, and has found that it is the kind
of classic story that people like to see time-and-again. The story’s traditional appeal
makes it a show for families: pretty much anyone who knows the story of Noah and the Ark
can appreciate it, he said, and suggested that children at least 10 and up should find the
show enjoyable.
The show’s set requirements threw a challenge the Players’ way: the actors plan to
literally build an ark onstage in front of the audience. This made it necessary to choreograph
both the movement to accompany songs, and the stage traffic required to construct an ark.
Set designer Tom Murray had his hands full. "You have to build it so the actors and
actresses can put it together," said Marquie.
The music is both humorous and clever.
"Imagine this: Your father is 600 years old. He hears God telling him to build an ark. What
would you say? You’d say he should be put away," is a part of show song called "Put
Him Away," where the children in Noah’s family try to have him committed. It is these
kinds of silly and human details that make the show wholesome entertainment, said
Marquie, who added that the music was quite smart.
The story is modified from the original for the sake of humor and unexpected plot twists.
God Himself steps in to make some adjustments. As Noah cannot work quite so fast at age
600, God brings him back to the youthful age of 90, prompting the song "90 Again." The
show deals with having belief in God, turning from Him, and then coming back to Him, said
Marquie, although he said the performance is, "Not religious. You don’t need to be a
particular faith to see the show."
Two by Two has an interesting history. Though it has not been performed in Ventura
County for the past seven years, the original show played on Broadway starring Danny
Kaye. About three or four shows into its run, Kaye reportedly fell and broke his leg, and did
the rest of the shows in a cast.
The Vagabond Players show similar commitment in their own theatrical contribution.
Marquie has known a number of the actors for years, and is pleased to be working with
them once more. "It’s kind of like coming home to family," he said.
