Tacoma Musical Playhouse to put on a virtual performance for people hungry for theater
Tacoma Musical Playhouse (TMP) is putting on a virtual performance of “The Man In The Chair” this month.
The first show is July 11 at 7 p.m. The second is July 12 at 2 p.m.
The show will feature former TMP performers singing some of their favorite songs from past productions which they have recorded themselves. Audiences can purchase tickets for $25 each through the TMP website and will be sent a link 15 minutes prior to the performance which will be good for 24 hours.
The director and host of the event will be Jon Douglas Rake, TMP’s managing artist director, who resurrected his character for the occasion.
“’The Man In The Chair’ is from the show ‘The Drowsy Chaperone,’ and the premise of that show is that this man is kind of a recluse in his apartment. He listens to his old musicals, and they come to life in his apartment,” Rake said in an interview with The News Tribune. “I thought that’s pretty perfect because you can’t go anywhere.”
Rake will not be singing but will introduce each of the separate performers, provide background on the pieces and take the audience through what is what is set to be an hour-long show.
“We have a couple singers that aren’t even in the area. One is in El Paso, Texas. She lives out there with her family,” Rake said. “They’re Zooming them in, and we’re putting it all together.”
The performers have all sent in their videos which will be edited together by the theater’s technical director before showtime.
The event has a dual purpose: Raise funds during the COVID-19 downturn and provide a show for people who have been missing them.
“We know a lot of our patrons are desiring to see musical theater,” Rake said. “It’s mainly to entertain, but then it’s also in order to help some income continue to come in. But that’s not the main purpose. The main purpose is to have fun and reach out to the people that are patrons.”
There are plans to do another show in August and potentially another following that. For now, Rake and the TMP just want to connect with audiences with a simple message.
“Enjoy and have fun,” Rake said. “I hope that we get to see them live again.”
This story was originally published July 9, 2020 at 11:00 AM.