Institute of the American Musical Jerome
Kern, whose work will be featured at the S.T.A.G.E.
benefit, composes on the piano as Oscar
Hammerstein watches.
By Chris Young
Daily Bruin Contributor
The Southland Theatre Artists Goodwill Event was started in 1984
to address the problem of a serious disease that society and
science weren’t sure how to combat: AIDS.
The oldest annual AIDS benefit in the world, S.T.A.G.E. presents
a three-day production this weekend at Cal State University of Los
Angeles, with all proceeds going to charity.
Every S.T.A.G.E. benefit features the work of a different
musical composer. This year, S.T.A.G.E. musical director David
Galligan chose the music of Jerome Kern.
“Jerome Kern: Life Upon the Wicked S.T.A.G.E.,” will
benefit the Jeffrey Goodman Special Care Clinic and other HIV/AIDS
services at the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center and The Dental Clinic
of AIDS Project L.A.
“It’s a wonderful fundraiser and an incredible cast
of people,” actor and performer Lea Thompson (“Carolyn
in the City”) said in a phone interview from her L.A. home.
“It’s a great opportunity to sample a lot of
talent.”
The show is composed of a series of songs, each performed by a
different actor.
“Singing is a really interesting experience because, in
the space of three minutes, a good song creates a feeling, mood,
emotions and a story,” Thompson said.
Kern, one of the most renowned American songwriters, wrote
Broadway shows including “Showboat” and “Music in
the Air,” and scored film music for films such as
“Swingtime.” The benefit’s title, “Life On
the Wicked S.T.A.G.E.” is taken from one of Kern’s
“Showboat” songs.
One of the unique aspects of the S.T.A.G.E. benefit is the wide
range of talent in the cast. In addition to several Emmy winners,
Tony winners and Oscar winners, some of the biggest names in
musical theater will be performing Galligan said.
S.T.A.G.E. also has the distinction of being a rallying point
for the theater community.
Broadway actor Marsha Kramer said that one reason she loves
doing the S.T.A.G.E. benefit is because it gives here the chance to
meet with fellow performers who are uniting for the AIDS cause.
“There is a truly excellent rapport between cast members
““ you feel a kinship with the other people,” Kramer
said. “It’s sharing the theatrical musical experience,
but also rallying for the AIDS cause.”
Although the show’s purpose is to benefit AIDS research
and projects, Thompson said it is about celebration and
fundraising, not preaching and lecturing.
Galligan feels that in today’s society people are
apathetic towards AIDS and aren’t as concerned about it as
they were in the past.
“AIDS awareness is no longer the flavor of the month. For
years people were doing AIDS benefits; people were weeping and
wailing because of how sad it was. I think because of the longevity
of not finding a cure for the disease, people aren’t as
concerned with it,” he said.
In addition to trying to increase public awareness of AIDS, the
creators of S.T.A.G.E. have to overcome the difficulties of putting
on the show every year. Because all the performers donate their
time and are not paid, some drop out due to financial
circumstances.
Thompson said, regardless of the cause, it is very expensive and
difficult to mount a musical production in the first place and it
is not easy to write great musicals.
Rehearsing the show creates problems as well, the actors do not
receive much practice time before the curtain rises.
“Doing a benefit like this is always nerve-wracking; no
one ever feels they get as much rehearsal time as they’d
like,” Kramer said.
Audiences can pick up on the excitement of the performers’
spontaneity, however, and respond to it. The communication between
the audience and the actors onstage is palpable.
“When you’re a stage performer and you get that
response from the audience ““ when it soars, it’s
incredible; it’s like you’re floating,” Kramer
said.
BENEFIT: “Jerome Kern: Life Upon the
Wicked S.T.A.G.E.” plays at the Luckman Theatre, 5151 State
University Dr., L.A. Friday, March 2 at 8 p.m., Saturday, March 3
at 8 p.m., and Sunday, March 4 at 3 p.m. Ticket prices range from
$30 to $200, with student tickets for $15 on Saturday and Sunday.
Call (323) 656-9069 for tickets or go to www.stagela.com for information.