One of the Ent Center’s upcoming productions will simultaneously emphasize the importance of doing good deeds and give the UCCS community a chance to do one of their own.
The UCCS Visual and Performing Arts Department’s Theatre Company will perform “Amélie,” a musical based on the 2001 romantic comedy movie of the same name, in the Osborne Studio Theater on Nov. 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 13 and 20 at 4 p.m.
According to Anna Nast, a senior at UCCS and the director of this production, the plot focuses on a Parisian waitress named Amélie Poulain (Evelyn Curtis) who was socially isolated as a child.
“She gets inspired by Lady Diana and decides to do this whole slew of good deeds. Along the way, she runs into this man [Nino] who she just has this instant connection with, and in typical rom-com fashion, she runs the other direction,” she said.
Nast’s favorite element of the show is one that sets the musical apart from the movie: its choreography. She said that the show’s choreographer Shayla Mellen did mesmerizing work and thinks the audience will enjoy it.
“Amélie” is the first full length production that Nast has directed entirely on her own. She said that this show has been a learning experience full of both positive and negative moments for everyone who is part of it. “It was definitely a lot of just figuring it out as we went, and I think we got into the groove very quickly,” she said.
Nast also wants the audience to be aware of the show’s PG-13 rating because it contains some sexual innuendos. Some of the scenes also have flashing lights that could affect those with photosensitivity.
Those who attend a Thursday or Friday show can donate toiletries and nonperishable goods to a food drive for Clyde’s Cupboard. Nast said that Clyde’s Cupboard is accepting donations of items such as pasta, pasta sauce, soup, canned vegetables, cereal, peanut butter, jelly, lentils, macaroni and cheese, beans and toiletries.
A “Prologue” forum for “Amélie” will take place on Sunday, Nov. 13, in the Osborne Studio Theater from 2:30-4 p.m. According to Mountain Lion Connect, this free event will discuss how “Amélie” fits into French cinema and compare the musical with the movie it is based on. Those interested in attending this event can register for it here.
Students can attend “Amélie” for free using their student ID number. They must call the Ent Center box office at 719-255-8181 or email [email protected] to get their ticket. General admission tickets are $7 and can be purchased here.
Editor’s Note: The Scribe’s digital editor, Ellie Myers, will perform in “Amélie” and did not contribute to this article.
Photo from tickets.entcenterforthearts.org.