WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Aug. 15, 2016 — A multicultural musical will premiere at Kelly Theatre this August when West Liberty University student John Sherwood presents his new work, Ramayana Past in Present.
“This production will be an entertaining way to learn about another culture. It’s a colorful story that includes laughter, tears, dance and an enjoyable classic done in the style of American musical,” Sherwood said. Curtain is at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 25 – 27 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016.
The musical is based on a Hindu oral tradition found in many Southeast Asian countries including India, Thailand and Burma. Set in India and Sri Lanka it focuses on the life of Prince Rama and his wife Sita during their exile and Rama’s battle with the King of the Demons, Ravana.
Director for the production is WLU professor, Dr. Melinda Kreisberg, with assistance from Michael Aulick (co-director, script editor and scenic designer). Music Director is WLU professor Dr. Linda Cowan.
The 77-page script, 196-page score, has been in the works off and on for many years, according to Sherwood, who is an Interdisciplinary Studies major with emphasis on theatre and music and also a member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
Sherwood, 62, enrolled at WLU in 2008, taking a break once or twice and returning to complete his undergraduate degree a few years ago. After taking a break for a couple of years he returned to WLU to complete his undergraduate degree. He resides near the New Vrindaban community just outside Moundsville, W.Va. where he and his wife have lived since 1979.
“I joined ISKCON when I was 17. I love theater. My mother, who was a teacher, also was a theater major and taught it at a high school level so I was influenced by this and took part in some of her productions,” he explains. Sherwood was born in Wilmington, Del.
“My mother passed away in 2005, but she was a member of the community the New Vrindaban community for 20 years,” he said.
Sherwood has been to India about 14 times and he is thrilled to see his years of work come to fruition on a public stage. He also takes part in theater at New Vrindaban and wants to inspire people there to get more involved in the commitment of theater.
“My hope is that people will see and enjoy this wonderful epic poem and that it will inspire our community in a special way,” he said. Though the story has been told and retold over the centuries, to his knowledge it has never before been produced as a musical on a university stage.
“The Krishna community is excited about the production. About 200 people live there now and we are also looking forward to providing hospitality after the show, with Indian savories and sweets. Eventually, my dream is to take the musical to other venues, perhaps even New York City,” Sherwood said.
The production began its public life as a staged reading, last summer at Towngate Theatre.
“The feedback from this reading helped me and Professor Aulick to edit and finalize the script,” Sherwood explained.
The theme of the musical can be summed up in one question he adds: Can the love of a single human stop the most powerful being in the universe?
The cast includes: Keith Brammer, Bill Childers, Linda Cowan, Kacie Craig, Erika DeLaCruz, Rob DeSantis, Brady Dunn, Alex Franke, Alex Gordon, Chad Grubb, John Heiserman, Hunter Helms, Caleb Isinghood, Rich Ivan, Brent Kimball, Sarah Lemley, Michael Morris, Grant Van Camp, Emily Wade and Destiny Walsh.
Musicians include: Jessica Gulisek, Jewlina Mathers, Shane Powell and Haley Sessums. Stage managers are Christopher Rees and Destiny Walsh.
A former friend of Sherwood’s, Helga Ives of Youngstown, Ohio, supported his theater project with a financial donation. Other donors include Sherwood’s son, Dr. Karna Sherwood, his father Dr. Laurence “Tom” Sherwood, and his daughter Krishna Priya Jani.
“I am so grateful to my children and both Helga and my father who supported me in this manner. Because Helga and my father are now deceased this production will be dedicated to their memory and half of the money raised from admissions will be donated to the WLU Theatre Scholarship Fund,” added Sherwood.
The cast and crew have worked hard to prepare for the production and began rehearsing twice a week in June, then upped it to four days a week in August.
“We have worked hard and I’m grateful to all the actors, directors and crew members who are bringing this show to life. It will be an enjoyable musical for all ages. We hope to see many theater lovers from the regional community in our audience this August,” Sherwood said.
Online tickets are available now at brownpapertickets.com or at the door. The WLU box office opens one hour before the production and can be reached by calling 304-336-8277.