This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
For Jim Christian, early retirement is just a song and dance, as he's spending his summer directing and choreographing "Pirated!", Good Company Theatre's new production of his musical comedy.
It's full circle for Christian, 61, who retired this spring from Weber State University, where he directed the musical theater program and taught for 27 years.
With a cast of 28, the musical is the largest show produced by the hometown Good Company Theatre, co-founded by sisters Alicia and Camille Washington. Alicia studied music theater under Christian at Weber and performed in a university production of the musical in 1994. About 20 of Christian's former students are part of the cast and crew for "Pirated!"
"It's incredible to not only be working with my professor, but also to be working on his work," Alicia Washington says, considering the show an homage to Christian's influence training theater artists across the state and country. "His reach goes coast-to-coast and everywhere in between, and his legacy goes even beyond that."
The musical is an ambitious coming-of-age project for the 5-year-old Ogden theater company, which usually performs in a second-story, 50-seat theater on 25th Street. "Pirated!" is being performed at Ogden Amphitheater, the first stage show performed there in 12 years. The outdoor theater seats 276, with space on the lawn for nearly 1,000. Good Company is collaborating with Chamber Orchestra Ogden, which is providing the show's 15 musicians. And the musical features new orchestrations for this production.
The screwball backstage comedy is set in the 1930s "Singing in the Rain"-era Hollywood, when a film director hires singers to voice songs for the silent-era actors in a production of Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Pirates of Penzance." Hilarity ensues when cast clashes get out-of-hand and the director loses control.
Christian says the idea for the musical grew out of the casting challenges of educational theater. He remembers staging a 1988 production of "The Pirates of Penzance" while on the faculty at San Diego State, when several students who appeared physically right for the roles happened to be "stone cold tone deaf."
"As a director, one of your dreams is to be able to dream splice your talent," Christian says, adding that it's a familiar concept in Hollywood, where singer Marni Nixon's voice was dubbed in classic films such as "West Side Story" and "My Fair Lady."
"It's one of those musicals where as an actor you can just sink into the comedy of it," Alicia Washington says. "It's almost like you can't go too big because it's such a funny show." Camille Washington promotes the show this way: "From the opening number the show is funny and charming, the music is fantastic, and the story is great for people of all ages."
The original production was named a regional finalist at college theater's most important competition, and Christian's script earned the attention of a Broadway producer. A New York production was cast and designed, and in the summer of 1994 Christian took a leave from Weber and headed East, where he rewrote the script and was drafted to help direct the show. Ultimately, the funding fell through and the musical never received a Broadway turn.
"Pirated!" went on to receive a professional premiere at Pioneer Theatre Company in the 1996-97 season, and has since been performed at universities and regional theaters.
As for Christian, in retirement he plans to continue directing, and he's lined up several projects at local theaters. He's received inquiries about publishing his four original scripts and also plans to travel and spend time with his first grandchild, born in June.
Washington says she's enjoyed watching Christian relax over the course of the show's publication meetings. She appreciates the compliment that he is allowing her and other former student to translate his vision onto the stage, and transitioning from a teacher-student relationship to colleagues and peers.
"I've been in the classroom for every year of my life since 1959," Christian says, underscoring the transition to his next act. "I had a great ride [at Weber]. They treated me great. I love the students. I had great colleagues, great support from the administration, and a beautiful venue to work in."
Good Company Theatre
Where • Ogden Amphitheater, 343 E. 25th St., Ogden
When • Through Aug. 22; Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday, 8 p.m.; gates open at 7 p.m.
Tickets • $20 reserved, $15 general admission; available at goodcotheatre.com or at the door; recommended for ages 7 and up
Runtime • 120 minutes with a 15-minute intermission