Alpine Theatre Project opens summer season
<p>Nick Spear and Eric Michael Krop rehearse a scene from their upcoming production of Rock of Ages on Sunday evening, July 3, in the Whitefish Performing Arts Center.</p>
<p>The Alpine Theatre Project cast members rehearse a scene from Rock of Ages in Whitefish. The summer season will also include Man of La Mancha and The Full Monty.</p>
<p>Best Morrison, producing artistic director, reviews a scene from their upcoming production of Rock of Ages on Sunday evening, July 3, in the Whitefish Performing Arts Center. </p>
<p>Olivia Mattsey, left, Susan O’Dea, right, Mickey Winn, in back and members of the Alpine Theatre Project summer crew in rehearsal in Whitefish. This year ATP will perform The Full Monty, Rock of Ages and Man of La Mancha beginning July 7. They will close the season with the 2016 Gala Concert on August 19 and 20.</p>
<p>Joe Coots, far right and Alpine Theatre Project cast members in rehearsal of the summer season in Whitefish.</p>
<p>Nick Spear and Eric Michael Krop rehearse a scene from their upcoming production of Rock of Ages on Sunday evening, July 3, in the Whitefish Performing Arts Center.</p>
<p>Ryan Williams and the Alpine Theatre Project cast members rehearse a scene from Rock of Ages in Whitefish. The summer season will also include Man of La Mancha and The Full Monty.</p>
<p>The Alpine Theatre Project has made technology including projection and video integration as part of their signature style. This view of the projections was taken from on stage in a tech rehearsal on Sunday night, July 3, at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center.</p>
Alpine Theatre Project is back and ready to inspire, rock out and bare it all in its 2016 summer repertory season.
The company’s 12th season will run July 7 through Aug. 20 at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center. Rotating productions this season include “The Full Monty,” “Rock of Ages,” and “Man of La Mancha.” ATP will also present a season-ending Gala Concert Aug. 19-20.
“This season we decided we wanted to go with three big shows,” said Luke Walrath, ATP’s marketing and development director, cast member and co-founder. “Really what we’re trying to do is continue to build on our success so far, and continue to expand.
“We did ‘The Full Monty’ in 2008, it was actually the first show in the Whitefish Performing Arts Center, and that was still to this day one of our most popular and most successful shows. We don’t like to recycle, but so many people had asked for it and we decided eight years was long enough.”
C.E. Smith, who performed in the original Broadway cast of “The Full Monty,” is a member of ATP’s core company this summer. This is the seasoned actor’s first appearance with ATP.
“This is my first [repertory] experience,” Smith said. “Learning three shows at once is a great challenge for any actor, but I think it’s going well so far. It helps that there are so many incredible artists at work here. I’m enjoying and growing.”
Smith, who lives in New York, said he was also enjoying his Montana adventure.
“I’ve just been taking it all in,” he said. “The views are just breath-taking, but then you’ve got all the people and food and shows ... It’s a real feast for the senses.”
Walrath said that when looking at this year’s show selection, ATP wanted to provide a wide range of material, something to appeal to everyone.
“‘The Full Monty’ is very funny and it’s got such heart,” Walrath said. “You really root for these guys. And then you have ‘Rock of Ages,’ that gives us and the audience a chance to just rock out to some great and horribly goofy ‘80s hair-band tunes.
“It’s rowdy and loud and just a raunchy, fun show.”
Local actor Mikey Winn, in his first year as a full-time company member with ATP, said “Rock of Ages” has quickly become a cast favorite.
“It’s just a big party,” Winn said. “It’s so funny and doesn’t take itself too seriously, and I think we all need more of that.”
Actress Virginia Woodruff, another Broadway veteran, said she liked the variety.
“I like them all because they’re all so different,” Woodruff said. “The people who run the joint are just diamonds. Luke and Betsi [Morrison] take great care of us.”
The cast this year offers a wide variety of talent as well, from seasoned Broadway stars to local favorites and even, for the first time in ATP’s history, the principle baritone with New York City’s Metropolitan Opera, Jeff Mattsey.
“This may be the most powerhouse summer company we’ve ever had,” said Morrison, ATP’s producing artistic director, via press release. “To add a principal baritone like Jeff Mattsey from the Metropolitan Opera to a cast full of Broadway veterans is just the icing on the cake.”
The 2016 company includes Walrath, Smith, Winn, Woodruff, Mattsey, Joe Coots, Amelia Cormack, Matt Densky, Eric Michael Krop, Tracy McDowall, Susan O’Dea, Rebecca Spear, Becky Stout, Ryan Williams, Tony Hernandez, Olivia Mattsey, Saige Perchy and Griffin Ziegert.
“It’s kind of surreal to step back and take stock of who you’re surrounded by on stage,” Winn said. “It’s crazy that I get to share this stage and be part of it.”
Mattsey starred opposite Luciano Pavarotti in “La Boheme” and has performed in six seasons with the Metropolitan Opera. This summer with ATP he will be performing the role of Don Quixote in “Man of La Mancha” as well as roles in the other productions.
Walrath said that with two contemporary shows, the company wanted to make sure to include a classic as well.
“‘Man of La Mancha’ is one of the most beautiful stories I’ve ever encountered,” Walrath said. “It speaks to this idea that, even if people think you’re crazy, you can aspire to something greater.
“There’s a great line in the show when Don [Quixote] is explaining himself, and he says he hopes ‘to add some measure of grace to the world.’
“That really speaks to us as a company, what we’re trying to do with Alpine Theatre Project. We believe art and theatre is important, and we believe people should have access to the arts and to arts education. We’re trying to add some measure of grace to the world.”
The Alpine Theatre Project has been producing professional performances and providing educational opportunities in the Flathead Valley since 2004.
Ticket prices vary, and are on sale now for the 2016 summer season. All summer shows begin at 8 p.m. and take place at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center, 600 Second St. E., Whitefish.
Call 406-862-7469 or visit www.atpwhitefish.org for tickets or more information.
Entertainment editor Stefanie Thompson can be reached at 758-4439 or ThisWeek@dailyinterlake.com.