An introduction to Ordinary days at Javeenbah Theatre.

A romance on the rocks, an artist’s vision stalled, and a graduate thesis in peril lead four young New Yorkers through a series of intersecting vignettes in this captivating new musical. With music and lyrics by American composer Adam Gwon, the musical follows four characters, Claire, Jason, Warren, and Deb, exploring how their ordinary lives connect in the most amazing ways.

I've been intrigued by this musical and found out that it was first produced by the Roundabout Theatre Company at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre. You can click here to see a YouTube video about show from Roundabout Theatre, which I found during my research.

It great to be seeing some new and interesting musicals take place on the Gold Coast Theatre Scene and I was looking forward to chatting to co directors Rachel Love & Ricky Moss about their show being produced by Javeenbah Theatre for the podcast. But due to some unforeseen circumstances on my side, falling ill, I was unable to visit then during their last rehearsal.

So I asked Rachel Love a few questions, via email, about the show, to see if it perks your interest in trying this musical flavour!

D.M: Introduce yourself to our readership.

Rachel: Rachel Love. Born and raised on the coast and quite literally raised around and IN theatre due to my dad being a part of the theatre community.

D.M: What inspired you to direct Ordinary Days?

Rachel: I was introduced to the show 4 years ago and instantly fell in love with it After listening to the show over and over...and over I realised that this was something I wanted to stage and that I actually could see myself staging it. While I've been an MD multiple times, I've never Directed before but I just felt a connection to this show that I haven't with many others and knew it's was a show I wanted to bring to life and share.

D.M: Tell us about the production? What Genre is it?

Rachel: It's a small cast which I love and tells 4 beautiful stories over the course of the 90minute Song Cycle. The stories aren't anything fantastical or melodramatic. No twists or turns. They're just real. 4 stories of people living in New York City and the challenges life can throw at you.

D.M: What is your process in the rehearsal room?

RACHEL: Being that I've been seeing this show in my head for the last 4 years I definitely had very specific ideas for the characters and blocking and the interpretation of the songs but I also knew that for the show to look as natural as it's written, everything needed to be natural for the actors also.

So while I had (and still have) some very specific ideas I generally liked to work with a skeleton of what I was after then let the actors collaborate with us to flesh it out, add in the quirks that also work for them, add in the emotion and motivation and heart that's needed to tell these stories.

D.M: What can you tell us about the cast?

RACHEL: The cast are an amazing mixed bunch.

Lee Stoka plays Jason, he's done a few shows around the coast over the past few years (Footloose - Spotlight, Assassins - Javeenbah, Back To Broadway - GCLT), and previously lived in Canberra where he also did theatre.

Jake Goodall plays Warren and is also becoming a theatre regular after being ina Nd working on a few shows over the past years across the few theatre companies on the coast (Oliver - Spotlight, Eyes To The Floor - Javeenbah, 2 Weeks With The Queen - Javeenbah).

Veronica Wnuk plays Deb and is a fresh face for the GC theatre scene after also relocating from down south and currently based in Tugun where she founded Sun Stage Theatre School.

And myself as Claire.

D.M: Do you have a particular favourite line from Ordinary Days?

RACHEL: "Sitting here at Starbucks drinking mediocre coffee with a professional cat sitter is all my life is going to amount to."

D.M: Do you have a particular favourite song from Ordinary Days?

RACHEL: There's a few favourites... "Favourite Places" is in my opinion the most melodically and emotionally beautiful song in the show. There's only 3 points in the show where all 4 characters sing at the same time and one of them is "Rooftop Duet/Falling".

The harmonies in this song are so beautifully written and I love when we all sync in and the tight harmonies create the most beautiful sound.

D.M: If you had to pick a movie title to describe your production, what would it be?

RACHEL: Concept wise... Love Actually

Actual Title...Life As We Know It

D.M: Can you describe Ordinary Days in three words?

RACHEL: Emotional Raw Life

D.M: Why should people come and see Ordinary Days?

RACHEL: I think every person will connect with a character or an event in this show It's quirky, funny, emotional, and just a brilliant piece of work. Adam Gwons lyrics are so conversational that even people who don't like musicals I think will enjoy this one.

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I hope reading this, and viewing the YouTube videos from Roundabout Theatre Company's production, has perked your interest to see what Rachel and Ricky have created for Javeenbah Theatre's latest production.

The season runs September 17th to October 2nd 2021 and tickets can be purchased by visiting the Javeenbah Theatre website here

Douglas Kennedy went to last night's opening, so keep an eye out for his thoughts here, and the team from is it my cup of tea are arranging time to catch the show, so stay tuned.