One thing is expected of audience members who attend the Players Theatre’s latest show “Red Hot Operetta” — “Just throw their belief out the window,” said director Jack Eddleman. “And go with us on this wacky journey.”
The show, conceived by the Players’ artistic director, Jeffery Kin, is filled with songs collected from more than 15 different memorable musicals. They include selections from “HMS Pinafore,” “Pirates of Penzance,” “The Merry Widow” and more.
Part of the action takes place on the high seas when a ship suddenly gets overrun by pirates.
With ships, boats and pirates running wild in the vast ocean, Eddleman finds it humorous that some of the musical numbers require a few cast members to get out of the boat and sing “as if the water was land,” he said.
“We just disregard that until we get back in the boat and it becomes water again,” he added. “And we go right along.”
Choreographer Jimmy Hoskins, from the Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training staff, adds his special touch to the show.
“He can do any style in the world and make it look like he was there when it was created,” Eddleman said. “And he’s a joy to work with.”
Other interesting talent has found its way into the show.
Take Eddleman, for instance. He has an acting and directing career that covers 57 years. It includes directing nine operas for the New York City Opera as well as performing in eight Broadway musicals and other acting ventures from coast to coast. In fact, he and Hoskins did a musical revue together in Las Vegas in 1969, he said.
Many of the songs highlighted in “Red Hot Operetta” are from musicals Eddleman has been in.
“It’s like my life flashing back in front of my eyes as we rehearse,” he said.
Robert Chestnut plays the ship’s captain. He’s excited to be take part in his very first musical, but he’s no stranger to professional acting. Chestnut appeared in several TV programs in the 1980s such as “Airwolf” and has been in hundreds of commercials.
Chestnut has been out of the industry for 15 years. It was his 19-year-old daughter, Veronica, who helped connect him to the stage. Originally, the plan was for her to audition.
But Chestnut, who moved to Sarasota earlier this year with his family from Los Angeles, was so impressed with the warmth and friendliness of the crew, before he knew it he was auditioning, too.
“It’s going to be really nice to share some stage time with my daughter,” he said.
Also among the 20-member cast is Players’ veteran Justin Irwin, remembered best for his role in “The Importance of Being Earnest.” In “Red Hot Operetta,” he portrays one of the heroes — the not-so-bright one.
“My character is dumb as a stone,” Irwin said. “Which is kind of nice, so he doesn’t have to overcome a lot.”
After being kidnapped by the pirates, he has one objective on his mind: To reconnect with the love of his life.
Irwin said anyone who likes musical theater will enjoy this show. The musical talent will leave people awe-struck, he said.
“It tells a really wonderful story through the songs,” Chestnut said.
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