The Department of Performing and Visuals Arts and the Platteville Summer Arts Festival present the musical “The Clockmaker’s Daughter,” an original musical by British composers Michael Webborn and Daniel Finn. First performed in London in 2015, this original musical fairytale takes us to Spindlewood, a small Irish town, on the evening of the annual Turning of the Key midnight ceremony—a ritual attempt to “wake up” the statue of a young woman in the town square. The production runs July 25, 26 and August 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m., and July 27 and August 3 at 2 p.m. in the Richard and Helen Brodbeck Concert Hall in the Center for the Arts on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. This production is recommended for general audiences.
Set in the fictional Irish town of Spindlewood in both the
present and in 1895, the musical follows the story of Abraham Reed, the
grieving clockmaker who tries to recapture the spirit of the daughter he lost. Through
some fairytale magic, he creates a clockwork version of the woman she might
have become, but he hides his creation from the outside world. The young woman,
Constance, longs to go outside, and when she finally does, she meets Will
Riley, who dreams of finding something beyond this small town where “nothing
ever changes.” As the events of the story unfold and
the consequences of Abraham’s actions emerge, it is clear that Spindlewood will never be the
same.
“This musical is likely unfamiliar to our audiences, but I hope people will be excited to see something new to them,” said Ann Dillon Farrelly, UW-Platteville professor of theatre and director of the production, “While the musical hasn’t been performed very often, it is such a lovely story with complex and beautiful music. These performers are extraordinary. It’s unusual that we get to introduce people to a musical, but I love that we have the opportunity to do that!”
Farrelly is joined on the production
team by other theatre faculty and staff with choreography by Connie SaLoutos Furlan, costume
design by Sarah Strange, scenic design by Jeffrey Strange and lighting design
by Josh Lawyer. The production staff also includes UW-Platteville alumni Lizzie
Haller as music director, Christopher Kott as sound designer, Alexandra Lind as marketing
director, Isabelle Emerson and Meghan Weber as production assistants and Emma Larsen as wardrobe. Current
UW-Platteville students on staff include Leila Kreul as
stage manager, Jamie Wodack as
production assistant, Timothy Fleener as production
assistant and AJ McCord as
production assistant. Community members involved in the production include Erica
Noble as costume production assistant. The cast is a blend
of UW-Platteville students, staff and alumni and members of the
Platteville and surrounding communities. The cast includes Malia Eugene as Constance, Brooks Duff-Bowers as Will Riley,
John Dobbratz as Abraham Reed, Vasi Katina as Ma Riley, Blair Kott as Amelia Glynn, Tyler Tollefson as Henry Glynn, Matt Tompkins as Mayor Glynn, Ella
Brunner as Moll, Juli Clayton as Rhiannon, Evy Dhyanchand as Mary, Peyton Michels as Cara, Aliyta Schroeder as Mab,
Brent Schwert as Ted, Daniel Sniff as John/Mr. Reece,
Aaron Brown as Dave, Micah Lerner as Sam and Rawley Schulz as Jim.
The pit, led by Haller on piano, is also a mix of
UW-Platteville students, alumni, and community members. Pit members include Ann Duchow (violin), Jordan Larson-Sell
(percussion), Meghan Conley (cello) and Danielle Dillon (bass).
"When I first came
across this musical through its concept album, I fell in love with the music,” exclaimed Farrelly. “I
had a very strong feeling that this
would be the perfect show for our summer festival. Now that it has come to life
before my eyes, I am confident that we have created a magical experience for
audiences of all ages. You really don’t want to miss your chance to see this original fairytale.”
In addition to the six performances of
the musical, the principal performers of the festival will also be performing a
one-night-only cabaret of songs inspired by the theme of “time.” Created and
directed by Vasi Katina, this evening of entertainment featuring musical
theatre and popular songs will be free. “Once Upon a Time: A Cabaret” is
Thursday, July 31, at 7:30pm in Brodbeck Concert Hall.
Tickets for “The Clockmaker’s Daughter” are $25 for general admission and $18 for students and children
under 18 (price includes the $2 box office fee). The Platteville Summer Arts
Festival also offers a 10% discount for groups of 10 or more. For tickets, visit tickets.uwplatt.edu or call the University Box Office at 608-342-1298. Tickets
can also be purchased at the door.