Any and all who attended Catholic school at some point in their life probably have a good story geared up for you, whether it was about a personal experience or something that happened to a friend.
A musical heading toward Sun City, however, has taken those stories and transposed them to the stage, providing a “humorous and touching view of growing up in Catholic school.”
The Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? cast misbehaves on stage during dress rehearsals in Drendel. (Photos by Chris LaPelusa/Sun Day)
“Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?” – based on the book by John Powers – is a coming of age tale that involves the 1950s Catholic education of eight children in Chicago, following them from the beginning of elementary school.
It addresses such topics as patron saints, teacher’s pets, sex-education classes, and first confessions, among other things.
For Director Rob Kaye, this musical proves to be more challenging than other productions the Theater Company of Sun City has put on in the past.
“It’s such an ensemble show,” Kaye said, noting that as one of the reasons it was chosen as the musical. “While your ‘Oklahomas’ or other musicals of that kind tend to have a few leads and a bunch of chorus people, [this show] lets more people get involved in so many parts.”
Kaye, who marks his fifth encounter with this musical, said the music is especially tough, “more work than I think the cast is used to with … those [other] types of shows.”
“In this show, there’s no place to hide,” he says. “Everyone has to know the words, everyone has to know how to dance, where to move. We simply can’t put them in the back row because there just is no back row. It’s definitely stretching the abilities of the cast. Everyone’s going to be a better performer from having done this show.”
The cast seems very supportive so far. Kaye noted a few emails he has received so far from a couple of cast members who said they are having fun and thanked him for casting them.
This is not the first time Sun City has played host to the musical. According to Musical Director Peter Davis, the last time this musical graced the community was about 10 or 11 years ago.
“This time around, we can actually do a lot more with it,” Davis said. “[There are] a lot more experienced people on stage. It’s going to be … I think a more enjoyable show. We’re going to have a little more choreography, a little more action. The voices are stronger.”
Starting the characters off as children is also allowing those in the cast to stretch their acting abilities, as they get to pretend to be children again.
“I think this is going to give the audience a chance to see something great,” Davis said. Kaye agreed, saying it will be “a lot of fun” seeing friends and neighbors wearing little Catholic outfits and associated garb and “doing silly kid stuff.”
There have been some changes from the original Broadway production. New characters have been added to take advantage of casting more people.
However, above all else, both Davis and Kaye are looking forward to the audience’s reception to the show. Kaye adds in his respect for the cast.
“The thing I enjoy most about working with this group is when they accomplish something amazing working together as a whole cast and grow together,” Kaye said. “Myself and the other directors push them just a little bit, and then it comes out just as a wonderful, phenomenal experience.”
“Just to see their joy, honestly that’s the thing I enjoy most about doing it.”
There are four shows scheduled. April 28 and 29 at 7 p.m., April 30 at 3 p.m. and May 1 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 each or $10 for children under the age of 12.
Tickets will be on sale April 18 from 9 a.m. to noon in the Fountain View Atrium. For more information about the Sun City production, visit the Sun City Community Association of Huntley’s website at sccah.com.
