'Cole' hopes to inspire

An evening of laughter, entertainment and music promises to fill the Brown County Playhouse as "Cole," the story of one of America's greatest song writers, Cole Porter, opens the 2002 show season at the theatre. The show opens on June 13 and will run until July 7 every Wednesday through Sunday. \nCole Porter was born in Peru, Ind., in 1891 and later educated at Yale and Harvard. In 1917, Porter moved to Paris and traveled around London as well. Porter was involved in a horse riding accident in 1937, injuring both his legs. From there, Porter's self esteem plummeted, yet he kept writing songs and plays. In 1964, after the amputation of one of his legs, with his creativity and sense of happiness continually decreasing, Porter died.\nPorter wrote hundreds of songs for musicals, movies, reviews, etc. … Porter also would write songs for Ethel Merman and Bob Hope. Directed by Murray McGibbon, the play is more of a musical review of Porter's life based on his words and music rather than a drama. \n"Porter is an antidote to gloom and depression. In this time of tragedy for America, Porter provides enjoyment and a hope for something uplifting and entertaining. While the world looks at tragedy and sadness, Porter looks to love, peace, and brotherhood," McGibbon said.\nMcGibbon has been a professional director since he was 17 and has directed shows such as "The Fantasticks," and "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change." \n"I have been in the theatre for practically my whole life. As a director, I hope to be able to touch the lives of people through the works of playwrights making people laugh, cry, and think," McGibbon said.\nThe show is choreographed by Zachary Frank. Directing the music is Charles Frederic Prestinari, who, according to dramaturge Tom Schaffer, has an excellent understanding of the music of "Cole." The cast, originally a cast of ten, consists of six actors including Coryell Barlow, David Brendenkamp, Victoria Liedtke, and Carmen Myers, Also in the cast are two seniors at IU, Andrew Lebon and Mark Willet.\n"'Cole' is a musical review, in which there is song after song after song, with narration in between," Mark Willet said. \nWillet has worked with McGibbon before, and performs for the Brown County Playhouse in shows such as "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," and who also performs with the Broadway Cabaret.\n"We started rehearsing the 14th of May, and the show opens on June 13. Since it is summer, rehearsals are longer, we practice about eight hours a day," Willet said.\nSchaffer, who negotiates rights for the show, and works on the structure of the shows performed, tries to find shows that will be educational for students.\n"We are pleased to do a show about someone from Indiana. Although he never really stayed around in Indiana, his grandfather was a wealthy farmer from Peru, Ind.," Schaffer said.\nSchaffer also helps to develop new works for the playhouse and offers comments and suggestions about the shows performed there. As the dramaturge, he helps select the season and see if the rights for the shows are available to be performed.\n"This show is different though. The acting style is different; it is not the same style used as would be for a Shakespearean play. This show requires grace, comedy, and of course, singing and dancing," Schaffer said.\nSince it is a musical review, there is not a lot of drama that happens in the play; it is more about the music that celebrates his life and musical theatre as well. Porter wrote all the songs performed in the show and his songs are influential on the history of musical theatre.\n"A lot of music was discovered after Porter's death and until I learned about him, I was at first not a big fan. As I learned about him, I received a deeper insight about his life and became more appreciative of it," Willet said.\n"During the twenties, thirties, and forties, there was a sense of style on Broadway. Porter lived in London during this time and could recreate this high society of life. He became the 'toast' of Paris, London, New York and Hollywood, and 'Cole' is just a recreation of his life," Schaffer said.\n"My hope for the audience is pure entertainment. There is nothing deep about 'Cole.' I want them to hear excellent songs and be locked in the magic of make believe for the evening," McGibbon said.