The Young Professional Company opened “The World Goes ‘Round” July 5, the first

midseason musical at Porthouse Theatre.

The show is a revue of Broadway composer Kander and lyricist Ebb’s greatest hits,

featuring music from such notable movies and musicals as “Chicago,” “Cabaret”

and “New York, New York.”

A revue is a type of musical that includes little or no dialogue and focuses mainly on

the music created by a specific composer. Without dialogue and a steady plot, “The

World Goes ‘Round” director Sean Morrissey said it was challenging to put the show

together.

“In a book musical, it’s the story that drives the show, so you have a really clear

roadmap of where the characters start and the journey they take toward the finish

line,” Morrissey said. “You don’t get that in a revue like this. We’re really creating a

beginning, middle and end in each number and making them a small story.”

Jerimie Newcomb, the assistant company manager, said revues are also difficult on

the audience, as they can be tough to keep up with.

“You have such a little amount of time to fall in love or hate a character,” Newcomb

said. “Revues are a beast, they’re an animal.”

The show is performed by members of the Young Professional Company, a group of

students who are working towards or recently graduated with a performing arts degree.

The group typically acts as the ensemble in Porthouse’s other shows, and this is the

first year they were given the opportunity to headline their own show, Morrissey said.

“It’s the ensemble’s — the gypsy’s — time to shine,” Morrissey said.

Stage manager Kelly Cosgrove credits the show’s success to the group of student

actors.

“They’re all the non-union members, so they get a chance to step forward and take

a show and a leading role,” Cosgrove said. “It’s a revue, so it’s all music and all

dancing. They all get to enjoy themselves and be featured in a way they can’t be in the

ensemble. [A revue] relies a lot on having a strong company, which we really do. We

have so much talent.”

“The World Goes ‘Round” is a change for Porthouse because the middle show of the

season is typically a play, Newcomb said.

Porthouse sent a survey to its season ticket holders to see what the patrons wanted

on the stage for the middle show. The results were used when choosing “The World

Goes ‘Round.”

“It was a resounding yes that people wanted to see music all summer,” Newcomb

said. “It’s a new thing for us this year, but we’re trying it out to see how it works.”

The show runs July 5 to July 21. Tickets for performances Tuesday through Sunday

can be purchased by calling (330) 929-4416 or (330) 672-3884 or at the box office on the

grounds of Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls.

Contact Meghan Caprez at [email protected].