Rocking Musical

Airin Virgilio ‘16

“Music can be such a revelation”. At least, that’s how Madonna so eloquently phrased it in her hit single, “Into the Groove”, in 1985. The Bradley University Department of Theater Arts thought she was onto something, so they are bringing to campus a breathtaking, feet-tapping, mind-blowing rock-and-roll musical, “High Fidelity”, premiering Thursday, October 22.

“High Fidelity” is a musical set in the early 2000’s, before digital music became popular and record stores were still a thing (hard to believe, I know). The show follows the story of the whacky workers at the record store – a clan of fussy, music snobs – and the main character, who attempts to get his girlfriend back and learns a bit about himself along the way.

The musical is driven by pop and rock-and-roll classics. It’s influenced by the likes of Coldplay, Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springstein, Neil Young, Percy Sledge and others.

The show runs from October 22 until November 1, and the cast and crew have been working tirelessly for weeks to make this musical a success. Scott Kanoff, production director, shares that the group starts rehearsing one week before classes even begin! And what’s more, the cast rehearses an astounding six days a week for four hours a night. That’s equivalent to the rehearsal schedule of a professional four-week theater.

There are outstanding student actors ranging from sophomores to seniors cast in "High Fidelity". To name just a few, Peyton McDermott, a senior Theater Arts and Television Arts double major from Adel, Iowa, takes the lead male role. Opposite Peyton is Ali Pinkerton, a senior Theater Arts and Psychology major from O’Fallon, Missouri.

So bring your frat brothers, bring your dorm floor, but most of all, bring your dancing shoes, because the beat won’t quit ‘til the curtain goes down. You simply cannot miss this outstanding show!

The show runs October 22-November 1, with 8 p.m. shows Thursday-Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Ticket prices are $18 for adults, $16 for faculty, staff and seniors and $7 for students. Tickets can be purchased at the Cultural Events Box Office located in the Hartmann Center or by calling (309) 677-2650

BRADLEY UNIVERSITY THEATRE PRESENTS

HIGH FIDELITY, THE MUSICAL   October 22 – November 1, 2015

A rock musical based on the 2000 film

Directed by Scott Kanoff

Indie record store owner Rob will do anything to get his girlfriend back—except grow up. His rock-fueled journey of discovery boasts a dazzling array of musical genres: from R&B to punk, hip-hop to country, and classic rock and roll, evoking such artists as U2, Aretha Franklin, Pat Benatar, The Who, OutKast, Lyle Lovett, Bruce Springsteen, Percy Sledge, Nirvana, and Guns ‘n Roses. A smart, hilarious rock and roll musical about life, love, and change.

Performance dates are October 22, 23 & 24 and October 29, 30 & 31 at 8:00pm and October 25 and November 1 at 2:30 PM.

Ticket prices are $18 for adults, $16 for faculty, staff and seniors, and $7 for students. Tickets can be purchased at the Cultural Events Box Office located in the Hartmann Center or by calling (309) 677-2650. Reservation requests can be made online by visiting Bradley University Theatre’s website at http://theatre.bradley.edu. Group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.