Performance Dates: August 2-11, 2019
Venue: Good Company Theatre 2404 Wall Ave. Ogden Ut. 84401
Tickets: $20 in advance or at the door
GOOD COMPANY THEATRE TO PRESENT A WORKSHOP PRODUCTION OF ‘UPTON SINCLAIR’S THE JUNGLE,” A NEW MUSICAL
August 2-11 | Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm | Sundays at 4pm
Ogden, Utah— Good Company Theatre is excited to facilitate the ongoing development of a new musical adaptation of the notorious novel The Jungle, by Upton Sinclair. Book, music, and lyrics by accomplished librettists Rob Baumgartner, Jr., and Utah native Nathan Dame.
Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle tells the story of Jurgis and Ona, a young couple who flees their native Lithuania to find their way in America in 1901. Like all immigrants, they dream of a prosperous life. Instead, encounter the abusive working and living conditions of Chicago’s meatpacking industry.
After picking up a worn copy of The Jungle in his sister’s high school library several years ago, Rob Baumgartner, Jr. realized it could be a piece of musical theatre. He pitched the idea to frequent collaborator, Nathan Dame, who was dubious at first but soon came around. The pair started the arduous process of adapting the sprawling, sensational novel for the stage.
Good Company Theatre joins the project at a critical point.
“An important part of getting any show on its legs is letting other people take a crack at it,” says Good Company Theatre Co-Director Alicia Washington. “Good Company Theatre is happy to take part in shaping this musical.”
Baumgartner and Dame will fly in from NYC to join the intensive rehearsal process. Daily they will edit the script and score, and give it back to the creative team to workshop. The public performances will be of the newest version. Since this is a work-in-progress, the shows will be in the style of a staged reading. Scripts will be in actors’ hands, and there will be minimal stage direction.
Performances of Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle run weekends August 2-11, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 4pm. The musical contains adult language and themes, and is encouraged for ages 13 and over. Audiences are considered part of the workshop process, and should attend with this in mind. Tickets are $20 at www.goodcotheatre.com, or at the door before each show.
Talkbacks and discussions will be announced closer to the performance dates.
