The New Moon (of Fall 2002) @ CSU, Chico

"Come with us to 1788 for The New Moon, featuring lyrics by a very young Oscar Hammerstein as he helped bridge the transition between operetta and the newly developing American musical theatre genre. You will see sumptuous costumes and sets that will take your breath away, hear a magnificent orchestra conducted by James M. Bankhead, meet some very funny pirates, and hum along to some great tunes, including Lover, Come Back to Me, Wanting You, One Kiss, and the rousing Stout-hearted Men. Directed by Joel P. Rogers, head of the Musical Theatre Program, The New Moon will be a treat you won't want to miss!"

From the poster designed by Jaime Knight.

(From: http://www.csuchico.edu/hfa/chicoarts/newmoonframe.html)

  

WORDS (SIGMUND ROMBERG AND CHARLES DARWIN!)
ALL INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN THE OCTOBER 2002 PRODUCTION @ CSU, CHICO WORDS (SIGMUND ROMBERG AND CHARLES DARWIN!)
EVENTS CONCERNING THE NEW MOON OF M. BEAUNOIR
THE NEW MOON VISUALS
VARIOUS REFERENCES

WORDS (SIGMUND ROMBERG AND CHARLES DARWIN!)

"Sigmund Romberg haled from Hungary but unlike Kálmán he left traces of Bohemia in his music when he started to compose for the stage. From his association with the Theater an der Wien whilst studying in Vienna he gained insight into theatre technique. After visiting the United States as an engineer in 1909 he returned to New York in 1913 where he turned to music and composed songs for a revue. He lost no time in writing his first operetta, The Midnight Girl (1914). He went on to compose scores for the Passing Show of 1914 (and others) and worked with Al Jolson on Sinbad (1918). Then in 1924 Friml's popular Rose Marie was eclipsed by Romberg's The Student Prince, which had been adapted from an earlier score, Old Heidelberg of 1903. The Student Prince took off, making Romberg a Broadway favourite. The musical was soon exported back to Britain and Europe in its new form."[http://www.musicweb.uk.net/classrev/2002/May02/Romberg.htm]

"Set in the 18th Century in New Orleans, the well-crafted script concerns a murderer (a French aristocrat) who escapes justice by disguising himself as a bonded servant sold into the service of a local landowner. He is in love with his master's daughter yet since a French detective is pursuing him he dares not declare it. The French revolution is now in progress and the detective (himself an aristocrat) is whisked away, so the need for a disguise is now unnecessary. (FROM: http://www.musicweb.uk.net/classrev/2002/May02/Romberg.htm]

"The New Moon's plot transported audiences back to 1778 New Orleans. Robert Misson, a French nobleman turned revolutionary, escapes death by posing as a servant to Monsieur Beaunoir, a rich ship owner, and boarding his boat, the "New Moon," on its voyage to Louisiana. On the way, Robert falls in love with Beaunoir's beautiful daughter Marianne. Unfortunately Duval, the ship's captain, also has his eyes on Marianne. He recognizes Robert in his disguise and exposes him. The Vicomte Ribaud, charged by the King with finding Robert and returning him to France, contrives to make Robert think that it is Marianne who has betrayed him. Robert is to be sent back to France on The New Moon and Marianne, feigning a desire to be with Captain Duval, boards the ship as well in order to be near Robert and protest her innocence. Robert, however, will have nothing to do with her. He manages to stir up a successful mutiny and the crew lands on an island, where they establish a free government. A ship arrives bringing welcome news of the French Revolution, and at the same time, Robert learns of Marianne's innocence." ( FROM: http://www.iclassics.com/iclassics/feature.jsp?featureId=616]

"I conclude that musical notes and rhythms were first acquired by the male or female progenitors of mankind for the sake of charming the opposite sex." Charles Darwin [1809-1882], 1871, The Descent of Man And Selection in Relation to Sex (Princeton University Press edition, 1981, with Introduction by John T. Bonner and Robert M. May), page 336.

From the poster designed by Jaime Knight.

"Music affects every emotion, but does not by itself excite in us the more terrible emotions of horror, rage, &c. It awakens in us the gentler feelings of tenderness and love, which readily pass into devotion. It likewise stirs up in us the sensation of triumph and the glorious ardor for war. These powerful and mingled feelings may well give rise to the sense of sublimity. We can concentrate, as Dr. Seeman observes, greater intensity of feeling in a single musical note than in pages of writing [stress added]." Charles Darwin [1809-1882], 1871, The Descent of Man And Selection in Relation to Sex (Princeton University Press edition, 1981, with Introduction by John T. Bonner and Robert M. May), pages 335-336.

"...and if I had to live my life again I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week; for perhaps the parts of my brain now atrophied could thus have been kept active through use. The loss of these tastes is a loss of happiness, and may possibly be injurious to the intellect, and more probably to the moral character, by enfeebling the emotional part of our nature [stress added]." Charles R. Darwin, ~1876, The Autobiography of Charles Darwin 1809-1882 (1958 edition, NY: W.W. Norton & Co., Inc.) page 139.

We are deeply appreciative of Marilyn Warrens' commitment to excellent productions of operetta on the Harlen Adams stage. Her generosity of spirit and considerable financial support has made many wonderful evenings such as this possible. Her gracious collaboration with the faculty, staff and students, her pure delight in the music and the talents of young artists, and her wonderful wit have made The Student Prince, Naughty Marietta, and now The New Moon, joyous occasions. We offer Marilyn our profound thanks, and encourage others with a passion for the arts to provide our community with similar marvelous opportunities.

New York City actor Reed Davis could not be happier to return to his alma mater and the wonderful Chico community he called "home" for so many years. Davis, who grew up in Chico and graduated from Chico State in 1994 with a BA in Music Education and a minor in Theatre Arts, is the featured male lead, Robert Mission, in The New Moon.

While at CSU, Chico, Davis appeared in Department of Theatre Arts' productions of West Side Story, Leader of the Pack, Sweeney Todd, and The Matchmaker. In the CSU, Chico Music Department he was a member of the A Capella and Chamber choirs and performed in two Opera Workshop productions.

Davis literally sang under the "river" in the University Public Events/Chico City Light Opera production of Big River and appeared onstage as Dream Curly in Oklahoma! He danced with Chico Community Ballet in The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland and La Fille Mal Gardee, as well as the second and third Keeping Dance Alive productions.

After graduating from CSU, Chico, Davis headed east to New York City to attend the Conservatory of Musical Theatre Works. Since moving to New York, Davis has performed in a variety of regional venues in New York, Virginia, South Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, and has traveled with the European tour of Guys and Dolls and the 2001 National Tour of My Fair Lady.

by
M. Beaunoir [aka} Charlie Urbanowicz, 21 October 2002]

This was my "gift" to the company,
In very free verse,
If I worked on it longer,
It couldn't get worse!

With apologies to John Godfrey Saxe (1816-1887) and his The Blind Men and the Elephant (and to be "sung" to the tune of Gilligan's Island!)

And, as it says below:

This is the tale of a damsel fair,
Who left N'Orleans town,
She traveled on her father's ship,
(And it's lucky she didn't drown!)
(And it's lucky she didn't drown!)

There once was a man name Mission,
Who had a quest you see,
He traveled to América,
To the land of liberty.
To the land of liberty. 

He fell in love with a damsel fair,
He sang his heart oh so,
But an evil villain followed him,
And his name was Ribaud.
And his name was Ribaud.

Fouchette was the quiet vassal,
The friend of old Ribaud,
He went with him across the sea,
And they plotted so.
And they plotted so.

Mission was a nobleman,
But a servant he professed,
He hid himself with a gentleman,
And he tried to do his best.
And he tried to do his best.

Mission's friend was Alex,
Who'd go through thick and thin,
But he loved dear maidens all the time,
And trouble followed him!
And trouble followed him!

A damsel fair was Marianne,
Duval sought to be her beau,
He longed for her for seven years,
But little did he know.
But little did he know.

The New Moon was to set to sea,
The trip was justified,
The women had to get somewhere,
For they all were brides.
For they all were brides.

The men, they were revolting,
Beaunoir could see no hope,
But Marianne did save the day,
She wanted to elope!
She wanted to elope!

But for Marianne and Mission,
Confusion reigned supreme,
She loved the voice of a singer near,
One she'd hardly seen!
One she'd hardly seen!

One scene takes place in a café,
With Mission and his men,
The villain tries to win the day,
But he's thrown in a dusty den.
But he's thrown in a dusty den.

Ramon and Rosita tango'd,
Their bodies intertwined,
They ruled the floor (as no one before),
And they danced, and danced, and dined.
And they danced, and danced, and dined. 

Besac was the able bosun,
Clotilde was a maiden dear,
But Alex came between them,
And she cuffed him in the ear.
And she cuffed him in the ear.

Julie was a naive waif,
She longed for Alex so,
But Clotilde, she came upon the both,
And they came to vicious blows.
And they came to vicious blows.

Clotilde's ladies cheered her,
And watched them sing and spin,
But the battle ended in a tie,
And neither one did win.
And neither one did win. 

The cotillion was a grand event,
With men and ladies fair,
They danced their best and would not rest,
But Mission was caught in a snare!
But mission was caught in a snare!

The villain captured Mission,
And gathered up the crew,
They set their sail for gay Paree,
And on to Act Two!
And on to Act Two!  

So this is the tale of a damsel fair,
Who left N'Orleans town,
She traveled on her father's ship,
(And it's lucky she didn't drown!)
(And it's lucky she didn't drown!)

The brides were all aboard the ship,
They were off to Martinique,
Mission was a prisoner,
And his future did look bleak.
And his future did look bleak.

They came across some pirates,
The swords they flicked and flashed,
But the essence of it all was that,
The villain's hopes were dashed!
The villain's hopes were dashed!

They decided to continue,
A new life was for them,
They landed on a deserted isle,
Just like Gilligan!
Just like Gilligan!

Duval, no longer in the play,
(Much like Beaunoir, he's gone.)
Mission, now the leader,
Leads his men in song.
Leads his men in song.

They stayed on the lonely island,
Making do with what,
They had with them on The New Moon ship,
And they didn't have a lot!
And they didn't have a lot!

Time passed so very slowly,
Each man a girl did wed,
But Mission, to fair Marianne,
Never visitéd!
Never visitéd!

Eventually, rescue vessels did appear,
They burst upon the scene,
Fears and hopes co-mingled,
And the villain, he was keen.
And the villain, he was keen.

Marianne and Mission,
Finally learn the truth,
It was brought to them by the villain there,
(And as Will would say, s'truth!)
(And as Will would say, s'truth!)

Phillippe was a faithful comrade,
Alex an ally too,
Besac, he was a bit confused,
What should they do?
What should they do?

DeJean led the rescue party,
He'd come to tell the tale,
Ribaud is delighted,
He will soon be in jail!
He will soon be in jail!

The villain tried to trick them all,
And tried to turn the men,
But it didn't work (but it almost worked!),
And we are nearly at the end!
And we are nearly at the end!

For while they were on the island,
The world, you see, had changed,
The King was gone, the people free,
And Ribaud was most deranged.
And Ribaud was most deranged.

Mission's theme was "Ne'er surrender,"
Marianne's was "Always Win,"
They eventually made a compromise,
And the play was almost fin!
And the play was almost fin!

The story ended happily,
The villain got his due,
The lovers they did finally wed,
And Beaunoir was almost through!
And Beaunoir was almost through!

---

From the poster designed by Jaime Knight.

---

THE NEW MOON VISUALS:  

Act I, Scene 1: The Home of M. Beaunoir; by Set Designer, Marty Gilbert.

The "Girl on the Prow" from Act 1.

Marianne Beaunoir (Jenny Rand).	Marianne Beaunoir (Jenny Rand) confronts Robert Mission (Reed Davis), the Bond Servant.

In the home of M. Beaunoir.	Vicomte Ribaud (Joe Manente) and M. Beaunoir (Charlie Urbanowicz [photo by Jordan Elias].

Marianne (Jenny Rand) and Captain Duval (Beau Hirshfield).	Jacques (Isaiah Bent) and Clotilde Lombaste (Naomi Iverson).

 

	The Musical Confrontation.

Clotilde Lombaste (Naomi Iverson).	Alexander (Chris Wenger).	Clotilde Lombaste and Julie (Denice Burbach).

 

Julie (Denice Burbach) and Alexander (Chris Wenger).	Guardian of the door into the Café Creole (Brent White).

 

Act I, Scene 2: The Tavern, Café Creole; by Set Designer, Marty Gilbert.

Vicomte Ribaud (Joe Manente) and Phillippe (Royce Tevis) in the Café Creole.	Act I, Scene 2: "Take a flower, fair flower" being sung in the Café Creole (by Monica Turner).	Vicomte Ribaud (Joe Manente) Is Captured in the Café Creole.

Stout Hearted Men and Women in the Café Creole.

Ramon (Michael Biggs) and Rosita (Emma Jessee) Tango.	Rosita (Emma Jessee and Ramon (Michael Biggs).

	Some dignified couples at the cotillion.

The cotillion at the home of M. Beaunoir.	Ribaud (Joe Manente) in the distance and M. Beaunoir (Charlie Urbanowicz [photo by Jordan Elias].

The deck of The New Moon (with Captain Ramsey's vessel on the horizon) by Set Designer, Marty Gilbert.

  

	Adventures on The New Moon.

The little pirate vessel gets closer!	The pirates attack!	The defense of The New Moon.

Captain Duval (Beau Hirschfield) confronts Chevalier Robert Mission (Reed Davis).	The ladies join in defending the vessel!	A Sailor (John L. Cavellini)

Robert Mission (Reed Davis) and the Pirate Captain (Royce Tevis).	Julie (Denice Burbach) and Clotilde Lombaste (Naomi Iverson) Fight #2.

The Isle of Pines.

Act II, Scene 2: Marianne's Cabin (exterior) on the Isle of Pines; by Set Designer, Marty Gilbert.

Act II, Scene 4: Marianne's Cabin (interior) on the Isle of Pines; by Set Designer, Marty Gilbert.

Julie (Denice Burbach) and Clotilde (Naomi Iverson) in the cabin of Marianne (Jenny Rand).	Robert Mission (Reed Davies) enters the cabin.

Towards the end: Jacques (Isaiah Bent), Clotilde (Naomi Iverson), Phillipe (Royce Tevis), Sailor (John Cavellini), Fouchette (Andrew White), and Besac (Matt Hamons).

 

---

MISCELLANEOUS VISUALS

Joel P. Rogers (Director).	Heather Cowell (Stage Manager).	Tom Adison (Sound Board Operator). Photo by Reed Davis.

Ashley Monroe and Patrick Gately (Assistant Stage Managers).

The New Moon cast and first orchestra.

The orchestra pit.

   

Robert Mission (Reed Davies).	Vicomte Ribaud (Joe Manente).	Vicomte Ribaud (Joe Manente) in disguise.

Robert Mission (Reed Davis) and Marianne Beaunoir (Jenny Rand). Photo by....	Rosita (Emma Jesse) and Robert Mission (Reed Davis). Photo by....	Robert Mission (Reed Davis), Marianne Beaunoir (Jenny Rand), and Captain Duvall (Beau Hirshfield). Photo by....

 

A downstairs maid (Jillanne Tuttle). From a photo by Reed Davis.	Robert Mission (Reed Davis) and Phillippe (Royce Tevis). Photo by....

Alexis Jensen (Makeup Designer).	April Carmo (Member of the Costume Shop Crew).

Julia Dalton (Member of the Costume Shop Crew). Photo by....	Samantha Mora (Wardrobe Crew Supervisor).
Jarra Myles (Follow Spot Operator).	Lindsay Geib (Follow Spot Operator).

Julie Cosenza (Member of the Makeup Crew).	Julie (Denice Burbach) and Clotilde Lombaste (Naomi Iverson).

Reality by Gail Holbrook and Alexis Jensen.	Sketch of Marianne Beaunoir by Professor Gail Holbrook.	Reality by Gail Holbrook and Alexis Jensen.	Sketch of Robert Mission by Professor Gail Holbrook.

M. Beaunoir (Charlie Urbanowicz) (Photo by Jillianne Tuttle).	Sketch of M. Beaunoir (By Professor Gail Holbrook).

Virtually the entire cast of The New Moon, Sunday October 27, 2002 (final performance).

---

DECONSTRUCTION

Mike Johnson (Production Manager) orchestrating deconstruction.	Into the basement.	Hacksaw at work.

 

Disappearing magic (Beau Hirshfield).	How it really was accomplished (from the Scene Shop).	Disappearing magic (John Cavellini).

   

The set of The New Moon is no more!

 

Postscript for 2 December 2002:

So this was the tale of The New Moon
We all had lots of fun
The set was struck - the ship is down
And we're finished with the run.
And we're finished with the run.

Note: The set was designed by Professor Marty Gilbert using CADKEY, Photoshop, and Lightwave. All photographs, unless otherwise indiciated, were taken by Charlie Urbanowicz.

"The most important word in the English language is attitude. Love and hate, work and play, hope and fear, our attitudinal response to all these situations, impresses me as being the guide." Harlen Adams (1904-1997)

VARIOUS REFERENCES

http://www.csuchico.edu/hfa/chicoarts/newmoonframe.html [CSU, Chico} Excellent page about the production!]

http://www.chicoer.com/articles/2002/10/26/style/feature3.txt [Chico Enterprise-Record} Oct 26, 2002} "Chico State's 'New Moon' tastefully, appropriately melodramatic" by Alan Sheckter.

http://www.musicweb.uk.net/classrev/2002/May02/Romberg.htm  

http://www.dandugan.com/maytime/f-newmoo.html

http://www.nodanw.com/shows_n/new_moon.htm

http://www.musicalheaven.com/n/new_moon.shtml

http://www.iclassics.com/iclassics/feature.jsp?featureId=616]

PREVIOUS URBANOWICZ THEATRE-RELATED ITEMS (Reverse Chronological Order):

2002a http://www.csuchico.edu/~curban/TheBirdsFall2002.html (Visuals from The Birds (of Fall 2002) @ CSU, Chico, the fall 2002 CSU, Chico campus production (November 12-17) of The Birds, directed by Professor Cynthia Lammel.

2002b http://www.csuchico.edu/~curban/StreetScene.html [Street Scene of 1929: By Elmer Leopold Rice (1892->1967.] For the CSU, Chico Spring 2002 production of Street Scene, Directed by Professor Randy Wonzong, March 6-10, 2002.

2001a http://www.csuchico.edu/~curban/CourtMarkSpecifics.html [A Few Mark Beal Specifics.] For the CSU, Chico Summer 2001 Court Theatre Memories and More (Sixth Annual Benefit Performance, June 10, 2001).

2001b http://www.csuchico.edu/~curban/CourtTheaJune10.html [On Mark A. Beal.] For the CSU, Chico Summer 2001 Court Theatre Memories and More (Sixth Annual Benefit Performance, June 10, 2001).

2001c http://www.csuchico.edu/~curban/bethhenleyinfo.htm (Dramaturge information for the CSU, Chico Spring 2001 production of The Miss Firecracker Contest, Directed by Professor Sue Pate, April 3-8.)

2000a Reprised the role of "Reverend Dr. Harper" (Arsenic and Old Lace) for the CSU, Chico Summer 2000 Court Theatre Potpourri (Fifth Annual Benefit Performance, June 11, 2000).

2000b Dramaturge and performed as "Dr. Gaspard Jadin" & "Sewer Man" in the CSU, Chico Spring 2000 production of Jean Giradoux's The Madwoman of Chaillot (March 7-12), directed by Dr. Sue Pate. Please click here for the makeup design of Dr. Jadin and here for how it was eventually portrayed; and please click here for the rendition of "Sewer Man" and here for how it was eventually portrayed.

2000c http://www.csuchico.edu/~curban/ChaillotWordsMisc.htm (Chaillot Words Miscellaneous for the March 7->12 CSU, Chico Production of The Madwoman of Chaillot)

1999a Performed as "Reverend Dr. Harper" in the Fall 1999 Encore! (Chico Community Production) of Arsenic and Old Lace (November 5-14), directed by Gary Hibbs.

1999b Performed as "Ferapont Spiridonych" in the CSU, Chico Spring 1999 production of Anton Chekhov's The Three Sisters, directed by Dr. Sue Pate (March 10-14); please see here for Sandra L. Barton's rendition of Ferapont and how portrayed).

1999c http://www.csuchico.edu/~curban/3Sisters.htm (Phrases From Ferapont Spiridonych, also known as Charlie Urbanowicz: For The Production of Anton Chekov's Three Sisters, Directed by Dr. Sue Pate, March 10-14,1999.

1998 Performed as "Russian Intruder" in See How They Run (one of the CSU, Chico 1998 Summer Court Theatre ensemble productions), directed by Dr. Sue Pate (July 7-11).

1996a Performed as a "waiter" in La Boheme in the CSU, Chico Fall 1996 production, directed by Professor Gwen Curatilo (November 12-17).

1996b Performed as "Dr. Amos D. Keller" in Inherit The Wind in the CSU, Chico Spring 1996 production, directed by Dr. Randy Wonzong (March 12-17).

URBANOWICZ AS "CHARLES R. DARWIN" AVAILABLE ON THE WWW

2001 http://rce.csuchico.edu/rv/Darwin/Darwin3.ram [Charles Darwin: - Part Two: The Voyage (2001). ~Twenty-two Minutes. Darwin from South America, through the Galápagos Islands, and back to England.] Edited by Ms. Vilma Hernandez and Produced by Ms. Donna Crowe: Instructional Media Center, CSU, Chico. Available via the Internet with REAL PLAYER [http://www.real.com/player/index.html.

1999 http://rce.csuchico.edu/rv/Darwin/DarwinVoyage.ram [Charles Darwin: - Part One: The Voyage (1999). ~Twenty-two Minutes. Darwin sailing from England to South America.] Produced and Edited by Ms. Donna Crowe: Instructional Media Center, CSU, Chico. Available via the Internet with REAL PLAYER [http://www.real.com/player/index.html.

1997 http://www.rce.csuchico.edu/rv/Darwin/DarwinReflections.ram [Charles Darwin: Reflections - Part One: The Beginning (1997). ~Seventeen Minutes. Darwin in England]. Produced and Edited by Ms. Donna Crowe: Instructional Media Center, CSU, Chico. Available via the Internet with REAL PLAYER [http://www.real.com/player/index.html.  

[~4,597 words]} 2 December 2002