This weekend, the Theatre Department will put on Car Talk: The Musical, which is guaranteed to be lots of laughs and a good time. An original play written and directed by Wesley Savick, the show also features an original musical score by Michael Wartofsky.
Based off of the NPR radio show Car Talk, the musical centers around Rusty Fenders, a balding loser who’s ’93 KIA is giving him troubles. However, he meets Miata C. LaChassis, who takes him to the Emerald Garage where he finds the Wizard of “Cahs.” From his mid-life crisis, to Shiela the woman Hybrid, to finding love, and car repairs, this show is sure to be a winner.
The NPR program Car Talk, which the musical was ultimately inspired by, features hilarious auto mechanics and brothers Tom and Ray Magliozzi, who give advice to various car owners by providing a diagnosis for their Dodges, Fords, etc. The musical has the same “self-deprecating humor” in mind, according to Assistant Director Ryan Began, a senior at Suffolk University. There will be dream sequences featuring extravagant ballet pieces and wise-crack humor by recordings of Ray and Tom, dealing with everyone’s car problems. The show deals with issues such as aging and learning to value what has always been right in front of you. “They really wanted to find something that was strictly Boston,” said Began.
However, the real entertainment comes from the music, which covers everything from show tunes to the blues, with an added dose of quirkiness. There will even be parodies of other, classic Broadway musicals, such as Annie, Cats, and the Sound of Music. “There are a lot of big spectacular things happening. Mostly people will just laugh and have a good time,” said Nael Nacer, a Suffolk Alumni who will be starring in the show.
Nacer described coming back to act in the show as a great experience, especially with the new addition of the Modern Theatre. “They’ve done a great job at keeping up the spirit of the old theatre. You can tell you are in a great theatre.” However, they did encounter some obstacles, such as working on the sets, that’s common for anyone dealing with a new location. “There are some challenges because when you are doing something that is brand new, there are going to be changes,” said Nacer.
This musical will be different from the department’s past productions because of its upbeat nature. There will be plenty of humorous dialogue, as well as a charming Broadway vibe. Fans of the NPR radio show will enjoy watching it brought to life on the stage. “It’s very lighthearted and humorous,” said Began, “It’s a lot of laughs.”
The musical is set to premiere at the new Modern Theatre from March 31 through April 3 with showings at 2 and 8 p.m. People will be able to purchase tickets at moderntheatre.com or brownpapertickets.com. Prices are $10.00 for the Suffolk Community and $25.00 for the public.
