playbill vip

Welcome to our production of “Smile the Musical” considered to be one of the “Hidden Gems” of Broadway.   Written by Howard Ashman (“Little Mermaid”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “Little Shop of Horrors”) and Marvin Hamlisch (“Chorus Line”, ”The Way We Were”, “They’re Playing Our Song”),  “Smile” opened on Broadway in 1986 and ran for only 48 performances.  It is vastly considered to be one of the most under rated musicals of the 1980’s.

I came across ”Smile” in my search for shows with a large female cast.  This show certainly qualified on that account, but was it anything more besides just a show about beauty pageants?  As I delved into it, I began to see why people consider it a hidden gem.  Besides incredible music by Hamlisch and lyrics that rival Sondheim by Ashman, the show has a depth that is deceiving upon first look.  There are wonderful universal themes that seem to really speak to young (and not-so-young) adults.  As we got into rehearsals, we kept discovering more layers, more humor, more ways in which this show resonated with each of us.  It has been a truly rewarding experience. 

I would like to thank our Stage Manager , Eddie Villegas.  Not only does he perform in the show, he has handled all the details that go into a production this size…….programs, posters, publicity, backstage organization, and go-to-guy.  I can’t thank him enough.

I would also like to thank Angela Perez-Baraquio, Miss America 2001.  We were so blessed to have her spend an afternoon with us and coach our actors on the mindset of a winner, tell stories of accused sabotage and stolen underwear, and, of course, teach the pageant wave.  She truly inspired and motivated us all.

And a VERY special thanks to Jackie Melbon, Erik Przytulski, Lou Ann McLean, Vanessa Hatch and Frank Paladino who went so above and beyond for this show and were a life saver to me.  You guys are the BEST!!!

We hope you have as much fun watching the show as we have performing it for you!

SMILE!

Kathy Paladino, Director