Thanks for a great show!

2008-05-04T18:43:00.000-07:00

A real high school musical

2008-05-04T10:16:00.001-07:00

"Local teens write, direct and perform new musical," by JEN EVANS (Insider contributor), Athens Messenger 5/3/08 [read story]

Final show Sunday, 5/4 3pm

2008-05-04T09:31:00.000-07:00

Today's 3pm show is the final performance of "Warehouse 39," at Arts/WEST. $5.

We All Love All musicals!

2008-05-01T13:25:00.001-07:00

"We wish to express our congratulations to everyone involved in the production of High School Musical. We enjoyed the Friday show immensely and hope to see you this weekend at our show. Thanks again for supporting us through this whole process." ~Colin Kruse

May 4 (Sunday) 3pm matinee added to schedule

2008-04-27T15:06:00.000-07:00

These pictures were taken on Sunday, April 27, following an all-day rehearsal. The show premiers May 2.

The cast.

The band.

These pictures were taken Saturday, April 26, when the Warehouse 39 cast was finishing up work on the set.

Edit: Lauren.

Bob told me I should get blogging, and how can I resist a throwback to the old Xanga days?

The cast pretty much spent the ENTIRE weekend together. Here's a cast photo from Saturday.

This week's all about polishing our show...I think everyone's excited beyond belief for next weekend.

later, lauren.

Listen to songs and interviews

2008-04-17T06:28:00.000-07:00

In this song from Warehouse 39, "Jane" and "Dan" finally admit their feelings for each other, deciding it's time to give it a chance. Sung by Lauren Herpy and Ben Stewart, with music by Nick Graham.

"Alex" sings about being "Together." Sung by Grace Nelson (music by Nick Graham and lyrics by Ben Stewart).

In this interview, composer Nick Graham talks about the process of writing the music for Warehouse 39.

In this interview, co-writer Colin Kruse discusses the background to Warehouse 39.

Student written, performed, composed, directed, designed, original musical to have world premier at ARTS/West May 2-4, 2008

2008-04-16T04:47:00.000-07:00

Athens, OH April 14, 2008 – ARTS/West, Athens community's gateway to the arts, 132 W. State St. is pleased to present the world premier of an all new musical WAREHOUSE 39 on May 2-3, 2008 at 8:00 pm. Book and Lyrics by Colin Kruse, Ben Stewart and Nick Graham. Music by Nick Graham and Ben Stewart.

WAREHOUSE 39 is being produced by a group of students from Athens High school with some help from their recently graduated friends including Ben Ziff and Olivia Dudding. Their goal is to provide an opportunity for students to showcase their talent in a non-traditional way. To that end they have written, cast, and produced their own show. They have organized very successful fund raisers through-out the spring to cover the cost of their production which included performances by Bob Stewart, Jerry Weaver, songs from the show and the band On the Rocks.

WAREHOUSE 39 is a 2-act dramatic comedy laden with a wide variety of original musical pieces. The story begins as 17-year-old Will (protagonist) suddenly returns to his hometown after a perplexing disappearance ten years previous ("I’m Coming Home") to complete his senior year of high school. Almost immediately, Will is met by a much-changed group of friends, most of whom remember his rapid and concealed departure at the end of second grade. His old grade school pals Jane, Alex, Matt, and Jonah, as well as Mae and Dan (newer members of Will’s old posse) reveal the group’s hangout, an old Warehouse (39), covered with memories of the past decade by way of colorful collaged photos decorating the room ("Anthem").

Most of the gang is happy to see Will back home, but they are quick to discover that Will and his much older sister, Wren, have returned to their hometown with many secrets untold. Nevertheless, Will quickly fits in, forming close and unique relationships with each member of the group over the duration of their last year of high school. He is constantly plagued, however, by a palpable crush on the feisty but passionate Jane, who finalizes her relationship with Dan at the beginning of the show ("Giving it a Chance").

Meanwhile, Alex, the caring and insightful yet reserved artist behind the warehouse collage, ponders her growing admiration for Will, with lots of undesirable advice from her best friend, Jonah, “the…guru?” while sweet and anxious Mae struggles to get her long-term boyfriend, the clever and loyal Matt, to open up to her about his family problems ("Alone"). Problems multiply when all of these issues dramatically culminate shortly before graduation (What Lies in Wait), leaving the audience and Will wondering…will the bond of the Warehouse 39 gang produced by the last decade, and, most importantly, the past year, survive past graduation?

Conceived and realized by AHS seniors Nick Graham, Colin Kruse, and Ben Stewart, WAREHOUSE 39 began its journey roughly five months prior. It began with the idea being discussed between the aforementioned three, and, after deciding it was well within their creative capacity, several meetings were set up and the show began to take form — in terms of plot, organization, and music. Although the project was at first wrapped in enigma, the idea was quickly revealed to their high school (still reeling from the announcement of "High School Musical") to mixed feelings.

After several months of little productivity (due to a surprise incongruity between the theory and practice concerning writing musicals), the rapidly approaching audition date effectively spurred the trio into action. 120 pages and eleven songs later, WAREHOUSE 39 became a recognizable piece of theater, and rehearsals rapidly ensued.

The funny thing about writing, running, and producing a full length musical is that there is always something more to be done — something the three soon would discover. Sets needed building, rehearsals needed planning, casts needed direction, Arts/WEST needed money, et cetera, et cetera. Challenges aside, the show must go on, and we invite you to share WAREHOUSE 39 with us on the evenings of May 2 and 3.

PRODUCTION AND ARTISTIC STAFF:

Directors - Ben Ziff and Olivia Dudding
Writers - Colin, Ben and Nick
Music - Nick and Ben
Sets and Costumes, Jon Boring
Vocal coach -- Christine Beam

CAST LIST:

Will - Turner Matthews
Matt - Nick Simko
Dan - Ben Stewart
Jonah - Robert Harrington
Tom – Mason Liles
Jane - Lauren Herpy
Mae - Ellie Dudding
Alex - Grace Nelson
Sarah - Lindsey Beetem
Wren - Jamie Weaver

Role of ARTS/West

The mission of ARTS/West is to make facilities, resources and opportunities available in the community in order to enhance existing cultural resources of the area, to encourage new opportunities for the creation, performance and exhibition of all the arts, and to promote activities that preserve the beauty, history, and culture of the region.

The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this organization with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.