YES Theatre, founded in 2010 by then 16-year-old Sudburian Alessandro Costantini, is stretching its wings this summer.
It's bringing in repertory theatre, staging two musicals at the same time — the George Furth and Stephen Sondheim piece “Merrily We Roll Along” and “Violet,” based on the Doris Betts short story “The Ugliest Pilgrim.”
They're running Aug. 1-19 at Ernie Checkeris Theatre at Thorneloe University on alternating nights (or sometimes with matinee and evening performances on the same day).
Costantini, now 25 and a graduate of George Brown College's theatre program, said he studied repertory theatre in school, and decided his company is mature enough to tackle this challenge.
He's producing this summer's festival, as well as directing “Violet” and acting in “Merrily We Roll Along.”
“It's just kind of insane working in rep, especially when it's two big musicals, right?” Costantini said.
“It has a million challenges that you just kind of have to navigate swiftly. You have to continuously move forward.
“I've been telling the cast, make sure that you're reviewing, and just looking back on everything we've learned, so when we get back to it, it's not old news.”
“Violet,” which premiered off Broadway in 1997, tells the story of a young disfigured woman who embarks on a journey by bus from her farm in North Carolina, all the way to Oklahoma in order to be healed.
“Merrily We Roll Along” follows the career of Franklin Shepard backwards in time, from successful movie producer to his humbler beginnings as an idealistic and youthful songwriter who, with his best friends Charley and Mary, sets out to shake up Broadway and “change the world.”
The piece is also a famous flop — due to some unfortunate production choices, the show closed on Broadway after only 16 performances during its original run in 1981.
Costantini said he chose “Violet” because he's loved the piece since seeing it in New York in 2014. “Merrily” he chose earlier this year after seeing a documentary about the musical and falling in love with it.
Given YES Theatre's past productions have been more familiar fare, Costantini is taking a bit of a risk by staging two less-well-known pieces.
“I think we have established enough of a brand here, and audiences have learned to trust the work YES Theatre does,” he said.
“For me, that is enough for me to ensure that we show them new stuff and are and be able to provide pieces that show different perspectives.”
Jake Deeth, 23, is a YES Theatre alumni, and like his best friend, Costantini, he's a graduate of George Brown's theatre program.
You might remember him from past YES Theatre productions, including 2016's “Hairspray,” when he gave a hilarious drag performance as Edna Turnblad.
This summer, Deeth has his hands full, as he acts in both shows, assistant directs “Merrily” and does costume design for “Violet.”
He said it's been a challenge, focusing on multiple roles, but also a joy as he stretches his professional abilities.
“I feel like we can never go back to doing only one show, or me myself, not doing multiple jobs,” he said. “As you mature and grow, you have to continue to challenge yourself.”
In tackling repertory theatre for the first time, Costantini has brought in some up-and-coming talent of the Canadian theatre industry.
That includes Jeff Lillico, who has acted with Soulpepper, and at the Stratford and Shaw festivals, as well as in New York and Chicago. He's playing Franklin Shepherd, the main role in “Merrily.”
Mitchell Cushman, a Stratford veteran who also runs his own Toronto theatre company called Outside the March, has been brought in to direct “Merrily.”
He said he thinks Costantini has built something “very special” at YES Theatre, and he's happy to provide mentorship, although he said that's working both ways, as he hasn't directed very many musicals.
“I wanted to direct this show for a long time, and when Alessandro asked me, I leapt at the chance,” Cushman said.
Tickets are available in person at One Sky (125 Durham St.) on Tuesdays and Fridays from 12-5 p.m. They can also be purchased online at www.yestheatre.com or by phone at 1-844-307-7469.
Save 10 per cent off when purchasing tickets for both shows using the code SAVE10YES.
Sneak peek at summer 2019
By the way, while YES Theatre is trying out repertory theatre this summer, it's definitely not done growing.
As the company approaches its 10th anniversary season next year, the company is developing its own musical — the project is called “From The Ground Up,” and the book is being written by Sudbury's own Matt Heiti.
Watch out for a workshop performance of the new musical next summer, when YES Theatre will also be staging Mamma Mia, as well as another, yet-to-be selected musical.
@heidi_ulrichsen
