The production of Shout! The Mod Musical playing in Grand Marais over the next couple weeks was a long time in the making. The seed was planted in 2011 when a few of the current cast had seen the show in a previous production at the Grand Marais Playhouse. Perhaps they were hooked because of the music involved, 1960s pop hits, and/or perhaps it is because someone near and dear to them had been in the cast previously.
Amelia and Greta Roth of Silver Bay were ten and seven, respectively, when they saw their mother, Karina Roth, play the “Orange Girl” in Shout! (It was also the first time Karina was the music director.) In an interview on WTIP North Shore Community Radio on July 18th, Amelia recalled that every night her mom would ask if her family wanted to go to the show. “I always said yes,” she said.
In that same interview, Amelia and Greta laughed about being a bit confused why mom was crawling around on her hands and knees on the stage. Shout! does have some adult themes, which is why this (sort of) encore took awhile to get going. Amelia and her close friend, Aurora Schelmeske, started asking Sue Hennessy, Artistic/ Technical Director at the Grand Marais Playhouse, if they could revive the musical. Sue agreed under the stipulation that they waited until everyone was at least 18.
Now that they are all of age, and likely have a much better understanding of the meaning of the play, all three (Amelia, Greta, Aurora) are starring in the play alongside Lilli Carlson and Hannah Miller. Mom isn’t far away at all, as music director and pianist. Mike Roth (dad to Amelia and Greta) is also in the band playing the drums. Keyboardists Kay Costello and Erika Ternes will rotate to complete the three-piece ensemble.
I’m a sucker for musicals, myself, though I haven’t seen as many as I’d like. Shout! was one I had not heard of previously. In browsing through the soundtrack, I found a couple of my go-to karaoke songs. I’ve belted out These Boots are Made for Walking and Son of a Preacher Man more times than I can count.
It’s a beautiful thing how certain music becomes part of the soundtrack of our lives. Some songs can express how we feel more than we are able to in our own words. Perhaps that’s something Phillip George and David Lowenstein had in mind when they wrote the play, which uses music to tell the story of five women coming of age in the 1960s.
“Each of the characters has their own story and their own journey,” Karina explained. “It’s really about women’s stories and female empowerment through the 60s and 70s and watching that shift happen. It can be very touching. I think women will connect with some of these stories.” She also described the play as an adorable and fun comedy that everyone will enjoy.
The young women playing orange girl, green girl, red girl, blue girl, and yellow girl are “one of the best groups of singers I think we’ve had come through on this stage,” Karina told me.
They got ready quickly, as some of these young women are in college. In just six weeks, they are ready to rock. Quite a feat, if you think about how much is involved in preparing for a musical as opposed to other types of theater. “They are dialed in, and they are ready for an audience,” said Karina.
As I write this, opening night just occurred. I feel a little FOMO (fear of missing out) since I wasn’t able to join in the fun. I am hoping to make it before the show closes. Seems like one that is too good to miss!
Shout! The Mod Musical is being played in repertory with Four Old Broads, a play by Leslie Kimbell. With characters described as a “former burlesque star with an attitude” and “retired Elvis impersonator and Casanova,” Four Old Broads is a comedy that also sounds like a hoot!
You can catch both productions on weekends through August 13th at the Grand Marais Playhouse. For tickets, schedule, and more information visit grandmaraisplayhouse.com.
Feel free to contact me at sarahwritesnsj@yahoo.com with any news we should news about!
