BOBDIREX kicks off it’s 2011 season with a youth production of Disney’s “CAMP ROCK: The Musical.” In the fashion of “High School Musical” the Disney company has combined two of their most successful television movies, “Camp Rock” and “Camp Rock the Final Jam” to create the live stage production “CAMP ROCK: The Musical.” The show will feature thirty of Indy’s finest young performers. Casting emphasizes diversity–all shapes, sizes, colors and economic backgrounds. The suburbs will be meeting up with the inner city and playing together downtown.
The company suffered a major set back with the tragic death of Musical Director, John Austin Butsch, but decided to go forward with the production and dedicate it to John’s memory. The plot centers around a young girl, ‘Mitchie,’ who must rally her fellow camp mates to save their camp from being taken over by a rival camp. Everyone in the cast feels that John’s passing has invigorated them in overcoming their personal challenges, and they promise an exciting show.
“CAMP ROCK” is directed by Bob Harbin, the executive director of BOBDIREX. When asked about the production, Harbin had this to say, “John was a mentor, business partner and close friend. Doing this show without him will be hard. Working with the kids is always a daunting but uplifting experience. The bonding that occurs with the mixing of social backgrounds while learning music, dance and acting as a theatrical unit makes all the extra work worthwhile. We’re all going to help each other here to heal and put together a very special show.”
“CAMP ROCK” will be an Indiana State premiere. Harbin will be teamed up with new Musical Director, Tim Brickley who currently has his own original musical, “The Zippers of Zoomerville,” playing at the Phoenix Theatre. Spencer Lloyd, the vocal wunderkind of Manual High School, will Vocal Direct. Kelsey Breece, who has just graduated from IU, will choreograph. Harbin’s old friends, Bernie Killian and Rodney Tolliver, will be production designers and house management.
Many of the Indianapolis High Schools are represented. Featured players include Jessica Murphy, Tyler Braun, Matt Lindblom, David Terry, Kyle Mottinger, Brook Woods, Paeton Chavis, Allison Hunt and Alexandria Warfield. Actor bios will be featured on the website – http://www.bobdirex.com
The production will play for three consecutive weekends opening July 1 through July 16. All shows begin at 7:30pm with a matinee on July 10 at 3pm. Tickets are on sale now and are a wallet friendly $20 with discounts for seniors and groups over 20 people. Tickets can be purchased at the website, http://www.bobdirex.com or by calling our ticket number 317-280-0825. Reservations placed on the website carry a small fee, reservations placed on the ticket line do not.
The location is the historic Athenaeum Theatre at 401 East Michigan Street, Indianapolis. Dinner and cocktails are available before and after performances at the famous Rathskeller restaurant in the basement of the building. The reservation number there is 317-636-0396.
