There’s something about a lemonade stand; it’s an iconic example of the first twinkle of entrepreneurship. With some basic ingredients, a prime location, and a little bit of marketing, a collection of young energy becomes focused into a something new and exciting.
On the weekend of August 23, this concept takes on a theatrical life at the West Windsor Arts Center, as a workshop production of End of the World Theater’s “LEMONADE!” takes the stage. And there’s a reason the central New Jersey theater community should take notice: this company is formed entirely of 20-somethings, many of whom make their area debut with this production. The trio of writers — Dave Breidenstine, Sean Eisenhauer, and John Fischer — are high school friends from Lebanon, PA, whose last project together was the ambitious parody “Star Wars: The Musical,” which sold out College of New Jersey’s Kendall Hall in 2008 and attracted national attention. And a principal actor in this production, Patrick Lavery of Denville, has a Broadway pedigree.
“There’s a wonderful and energetic passion in this,” said Lavery, who performed as Chip, the youthful teacup, in Broadway’s “Beauty and the Beast” from 1993 to 1996. Lavery, now a news anchor for radio station WGHT, is thankful for a return to his roots: “I’m thrilled to see what audiences are going to think, and at the same time, I’m loving every minute of the rehearsal process.”
“LEMONADE!” is the story about what happens when two children start their own lemonade stand, only to wind up on the wrong side of the law as their entrepreneurial spirit attracts the spiteful attention of the powers that be. Lavery plays A.P. Costermonger, a curmudgeonly old-money source of villainy in the play.
“It’s definitely a parable,” said Lili Daniel of Lawrenceville, the workshop’s producer. “Similar to other modern musicals like ‘Urinetown,’ ‘LEMONADE!’ uses comedy and songs to poke fun at and draw attention to what’s happening today.”
“There’s a goofiness to this that we hope audiences will enjoy,” said Andrew Timmes of Lawrenceville, the director. “Within a span of three pages, there are actors who take on multiple characters in lightning fast changes. We’ve had a lot of fun with this and it’s our hope that this will show in the performances.”
Much of the show’s creative team met as students at College of New Jersey, and are reuniting for this production. Daniel, Timmes, Lavery, and the writers are well-versed in the current landscape of musical theater, and are hopeful that “LEMONADE!” has a place in it. “We’re refining the show with every rehearsal, and I think it would be a great show for colleges to produce,” said Daniel.
At the same time, “LEMONADE!” consciously avoids several elements that have become commonplace in musical theater, such as small cast sizes. “It’s written for a cast of 25,” said Timmes. “It’s a lot of fun to have the opportunity to work with a new script that has a larger cast.” With doubling of roles, the workshop production features 14 actors.
As is standard with community theater, all of the team has day jobs; Daniel is a lawyer, Timmes works in information technology for a healthcare company, Breidenstine is a high school teacher, Eisenhauer works for Apple, and Fischer is working towards his doctorate in physics at Temple University. “This is a labor of love,” says Fischer. “We’re happy for this production and whatever might come after.”
“We’re inviting professionals and educators from area companies and schools to the workshop,” said Daniel. “Community theater and college seasons would be a great home for ‘LEMONADE!’” The cast recently previewed a song from the show at last week’s Kelsey Theater Awards at Mercer Community College.
As a workshop, the audience will play a vital role in the future of “LEMONADE!” “We’ll be listening at every performance to see what jokes work and which ones might need a little work,” said Fischer, who staged a reading of the first act of the script last year in his hometown of Lebanon, PA. A second reading will occur in Lebanon in October. “What happens in this production will lead to what we do next.”
A week away from the workshop, and the cast is a mix of excitement and anticipation. “I really hope people laugh,” said Lavery, with a chuckle. “There is so much fun and heart in this show, and it’s really about the sheer love of theater and performing, and what’s possible when people come together to make a dream happen — both within the show and without.”
“I’m having a great time, as I hope the cast is,” said Timmes. “It’s going to be a fun weekend of theater.”
Lemonade! The Musical Workshop, West Windsor Arts Council, 952 Alexander Road, West Windsor. Saturday, August 24, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, August 25, at 2:30 p.m. Workshop performance of a new musical about two children sued by the local leisure beverage conglomerate after they open up a lemonade stand. Presented by the End of the World Theater Company. $10. E-mail endoftheworldtheater@gmail.com for information. 609-716-1931. www.westwindsorarts.org.
