On May 5th, The Human Comedy opens on our mainstage. This show explores the idea of home and the role family and community play in our lives.

Members of our family, APAC alums Jeffrey Campos, Musical Director and Christine O’Grady, Choreographer/Associate Director, share their thoughts on working with APAC to tell this story.

Musical Director, Jeffery Campos

“It feels like home to me. My growing up was here at APAC.” says Campos.

For O’Grady home means, “Being surrounded by people you love that love you back, so you are comfortable being yourself without a second thought. It’s a place to get away from, or get into it all, depending on the time.”

It’s also this type of atmosphere that allows the cast and crew of The Human Comedy to work together in an exciting way.

“Tom (Wojtunik, Director) assembles a team that really cares about the details and work together so well. I think we all compliment and challenge each other and that makes for exciting, good work,” says O’Grady.

Working on challenges together

Choreographer/Associate Director, Christine O'Grady

O’Grady works very closely with Wojtunik on how movement contributes to the storytelling and style of the piece. She finds her biggest challenge is, “Figuring out the tone and style of the ensemble’s singing and movement.”

In The Human Comedy almost the entire cast is present onstage throughout the show and often singing. The trick is often figuring out, what do they do while singing and watching a scene?

“We’re interested in finding the right balance between seeing slice-of-life interactions, greek chorus narration and how the characters navigate between the two.”

Another interesting challenge is that the whole story is told through music with the actors and musicians onstage the entire time. Campos believes a lot of the story is told through the orchestration.

“From the downbeat of the Overture we have to be telling a story. The band have to be a character in the show. Not only do we have to accompany the actors on stage, but we also have to play with them and be an ensemble within their ensemble. They have to be an integral part of that, rather than just sitting there playing music.”

Music that paints beautiful pictures

Campos continues, “It means a lot to me how the characters in this show deal with loss and as musicians we really have to help them along with that. Mr. MacDermot did a great job with creating orchestra parts that really paint those pictures for us. We just have to execute them correctly.”

The power of community

The Human Comedy reminds us of how people come together in times of joy and sorrow. It’s the same power of community at work as the cast and crew come together to tell this story.

O’Grady adds, “I’m astonished by the talent and openness in this cast. This is a special story and I think we’ve assembled a very special group of people to help us tell it.”

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Don’t miss your chance to see this beautiful ode to “home.” The Human Comedy begins May 5, 2011 and runs through May 21, 2011 at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 30-44 Crescent St (@30th Rd), Astoria, NY 11102.

Get your tickets here.