In the final stages of production, the Pennsylvania Yankee Theatre Company has moved the sets, costumes, and actors for The Most Happy Fella to the auditorium of the Penn Yan Middle School, where it will run July 23 and 24 at 7:30 p.m., and July 25 at 2 p.m.
Director Peg Patterson has been working with Dean and Grace Knapton on sets and costumes to recreate Branchport, New York (circa 1927), the locale of the vineyards of main character, Tony Esposito, played by David Rudari.
The Most Happy Fella’s love interest is now being played by Corrine DeRue after the originally cast Laura Feligno suffered a family loss. Ms. DeRue brings a rich and beautiful trained soprano voice to the role of Rosabella.
Trained at Potsdam’s Crane School of Music, she currently teaches elementary vocal and general music at Middlesex Valley Elementary in the Marcus Whitman School District, where she also coaches Junior Varsity Girls’ Soccer and Cheerleading.
Most recently, she played in Phelps-Clifton Springs Community Theatre’s The Producers, and sings with the Penn Yan Community Chorus. Everyone fortunate enough to hear the excellent blend of Ms. DeRue and Rudari’s voices has been thrilled by its quality.
Rudari who, in addition to his professional career, is a Professor of Music at Bethany College in West Virginia and Director of the Bethany College Choir. As PYTCo’s 2010 Artist in Residence, he leads the cast.
The other leading actors drawn to this show from all over the Finger Lakes are Rosabella - Laura Feligno: Cleo - Margaret Griffin: Herman - Patrick Fegley: Joe - Nick Bessette: Marie - Becky Townley.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of its author, Frank Loesser’s birth. One of the giants of American music, Loesser also wrote On a Slow Boat to China, Heart and Soul, See What the Boys in the Backroom Will Have, and Baby, It’s Cold Outside.
The most famous hit from this show is most certainly Standin’on the Corner (Watchin’ All the Girls Go By), but the soaring composition and poetic lyrics Loesser imparted to all the songs in The Most Happy Fella will fill the hearts of every ticket holder.
Presale tickets for The Most Happy Fella are available at Longs’ Cards and Books; $8 for adults, $7 for students and seniors.
