Rowan puts new spin on "Sweet Charity"

Rowan University's Department of Theatre & Dance takes a "Felliniesque" approach to the classic American musical Sweet Charity, running April 10 – 19, 2015, in Tohill Theatre on the university's Glassboro campus.

Inspired by Italian director Federico Fellini's 1957 film, Nights of Cabiria, the award-winning musical features a book by Neil Simon, lyrics by Dorothy Fields and music by Cy Coleman. It tells the poignant but funny story of dance hall hostess Charity Hope Valentine as she valiantly searches for love, despite seemingly endless disappointment.

"It has heart, it has energy, and it has humor," says director Christopher Marlowe Roche, while adding that this version incorporates a more abstract vision that reflects back to the original source material.

"We're definitely looking at it through a Fellini-like lens," he states. There will be a different metropolitan feel, some gender-reversed roles, a certain feminist slant, and choreographer Paule Turner's unique approach to movement (that does offer references to the legendary Bob Fosse's work for the original production).

The musical concludes the department's 2014-2015 schedule, which has been framed as a "season of revolution." Roche explains that Sweet Charity is about "the revolution of love, of self, of the body."

The cast of 20 student actors from across New Jersey and beyond includes Alli Angelou of Middletown as Charity Hope Valentine with Nia Ali of Plainfield as Nickie, Michael Arigot of Hillsdale as Oscar Lindquist, Nichole Bieth of Manchester as Helene, Eibhleann Clyne of Rockaway as Herman, Rachel Goldstein of Rutherford as Daddy Brubeck, and AJ Klein of Ocean City as Vittorio Vidal plus an ensemble that includes Zulfiya Asquino of Wantagh, NY, Michelle Campbell of Colonia, Corinne Cranmer of Forked River, Anthony Crosby of Cherry Hill, Alyssa LaPierre of Eastampton, Angelina LaSala of Penns Grove, Sean McCall of Wenonah, Sean McGovern of Pine Hill, Colleen Murphy of Cherry Hill, Tiara Nock of Franklinville, Dana Orange of Baltimore, MD, Kristy Joe Slough of Wenonah, and Andy Spinosi of Haddonfield.

Performances are April 10, 11, 17 & 18 at 8:00 pm and April 12, 18 & 19 at 3:00 pm. Tohill Theatre is located in Bunce Hall on the campus of Rowan University, Route 322 in Glassboro, NJ. Tickets are $20, general admission; and $15 for seniors/non-Rowan students/alumni/staff. Rowan students are admitted free with valid ID. For tickets and information, visit rowan.tix.com or call the box office at (856) 256-4545.