Theatre Program Film Musical Premieres Thursday
ALBANY, N.Y. (April 20, 2021) – The Theatre Program of the Department of Music and Theatre will premiere a digital movie musical, Love & Other Destinations, which explores the triumphs and tragedies of love in all its forms.
Partnering with Broadway and New York talent and featuring theatre majors and musical theatre minors, Love & Other Destinations is written by composer Brad Ross and lyricist Michael Cooper. It can be viewed online Thursday at 8 p.m., Friday at 3 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Admission is free but virtual seats must be reserved in advance.
Junior Sammy Rose Wilson of Latham, a theatre major who sings a solo and two duets in the film, said, “This brand-new musical is a fun and exciting production that will warm your hearts and make you want to get up and dance. It is all about relationships, which is something we all can relate to in one way or another.”
Chad Larabee directs the film. Head of performance for the Theatre Department, he said, “Our aim was to create the illusion that the actors were performing in the same space, even though they were sometimes hundreds of miles apart. We worked closely with the actors to create camera angles that would edit together to create the illusion of being together.”
The student actors recorded their own vocals at home, which were mixed with audio from Broadway musicians, who also recorded in their homes.
Most of the footage was filmed by actors alone. Then, Larabee edited it to make it appear as if they were together. A few of the students live together, so they filmed in the same space together. Additional scenes were filmed by Larabee outdoors, with the actors in masks and socially distanced while not on camera.
“The students and faculty of the theatre program embraced this new way of working, while actively troubleshooting unexpected challenges. I am really proud of the collective work that went into Love & Other Destinations,” Larabee said. “The ingenuity demonstrated in the film reflects the talent of our theatre students. They embraced the inherent challenges we were facing because of the pandemic, and worked tirelessly to create something original and meaningful.”
The musical tells stories of relationships among the cast of 16.
“Everyone can see themselves in each of these relationships, and it shows us just how much we need love and connection, especially in today’s world. I encourage audiences to watch for the music, too. The music in this digital musical movie is catchy and amusing, and altogether uplifting,” Wilson said.
The unusual challenges posed by the pandemic have become learning experiences. Wilson said that despite obstacles, the film captures the essence of the “classic Broadway feel.”
Senior Theatre major Colin Gioia of Clifton Park acts and sings in the film. “I was devastated when I found out we wouldn't be doing live theatre this year but when I heard about this opportunity, I was very intrigued and excited,” said Gioia, whose long-term goal is to become a theatre professor.
The movie also gave Wilson and Gioia a sense of community during a time when performance students, like many other students, are missing the connection that develops from an in-person setting.
“Being a part of a play or musical is one of the most communal things I have ever been a part of and, for me, it's definitely a hard feeling to replicate,” said Gioia. “But when we had that first (virtual) meeting with the whole cast, crew and the writing team, I felt like we were about to do something really special. This is definitely an experience I will cherish for a long time.”
“This digital film is something we can all watch and be proud of, it is a true ode to musical theatre and the collaborative effort that exists behind every new work and performance,” Wilson said.