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Go, go, go Musket

Student-run theater troupe celebrates 40 years of making musicals

By Karen Sommer
Daily Arts Writer

This month marks the 40th anniversary of MUSKET, the University-sponsored, student-run theater troupe, and its 62nd production since its conception in 1956. MUSKET or the little-known name that became an acronym -- Michigan Union Show, Ko-Eds Too -- sprouted its roots 88 years ago in the troupe called the Michigan Union Opera Company.

In 1908, until the time of MUSKET's debut, the University relegated female students to the Michigan League while University men called the Union home. With the separate but equal code en vogue, the Michigan Union Opera Company rehearsed in the Union and therefore could not or would not admit women. The all-male troupe concentrated their efforts on satires about the college life of men, for men and by men.

As society became more accepting of public women, so did the Michigan Union Opera Company. In 1956, the group changed the name to include "Ko-Eds" and invited women to their auditions for their first production, "Brigadoon." Since then, MUSKET has upheld its tradition of performing musicals full of spectacle, song and dance. The company's favorite shows to perform have been "Hair," "Anything Goes," "Guys and Dolls" and "West Side Story." All, but "West Side Story," have been brought up on the boards three times; "West Side Story" graced the stage for a fourth run in '83. Some may say it is appropriate then for MUSKET to be doing "Guys and Dolls" to celebrate its anniversary; the audience must be calling for it again and again.

While the University Activities Center supports MUSKET financially, the theater company relies most heavily on student participation. The casts and technical crews change for every production, but MUSKET's mantra remains the same. "MUSKET provides the opportunity to do hands-on learning," said Sascha Connor, "Guys and Dolls" producer. "It's learning about community, compromise, improvisation, team-work and fun. (The challenge) of every production is taking people who have never met and drawing the group together."

Ironically, Joshua Rosenblum, the producer for the 1982-83 years, speaks of MUSKET similarly. "The longer I'm in commercial theater, I long for MUSKET days. Everyone who worked on MUSKET wasn't in it for the money or the fame. We were in it for the community and fun." Rosenblum left MUSKET on his graduation day to join the many MUSKET alums who successfully tackle the Great White Way. He produces Broadway shows, such as "Guys and Dolls," for the company Dodger Productions.

Other successful MUSKET alums include Rosenblum's partner in Dodger Productions and his director for the MUSKET productions of "Hair" and "Runaways," Michael Goldberg. Hollywood knows Goldberg for writing the movies "Cool Runnings" and "Little Giants."

Rosenblum and Goldberg knew their talent and ability to work together would pay off in '82 when they took the MUSKET production of "Hair" on the road to a theater festival in Skokie, Ill. Michael Butler, the original producer of "Hair" on Broadway, saw the production by Rosenblum and Goldberg and attempted to organize a national tour of the MUSKET cast. Unfortunately the tour never materialized, but MUSKET casts of "West Side Story" and "Anything Goes" have toured successfully in previous years.

It is not uncommon that MUSKET members stick together, especially when they venture off to New York City. The musical revue, "Save Me a Song," written by David Kirshenbaum (director of the '91 production of "Chess") and produced by Bret Havey (director of the '93 production of "42nd Street"), can be seen at Don't Tell Mama every Monday night. The revue's musical director, C. Lynne Shankel, the choreographer, Elizabeth Rossi, and performer Kate Guyton, are all MUSKET alums. When they are out on their own, Kirshenbaum writes lyrics for his own musicals, and Havey produces commercials for VH1.

MUSKET has spawned a large number of Broadway sensations. Madeline Rubinstein, once a MUSKET musical director, is now a Broadway pianist. Greg Jbara, a performer from the other UAC musical theater company SophShow, has been seen in Broadway productions of "The Secret Garden," "Damn Yankees," and currently stars in the production of "Victor/Victoria" with Julie Andrews. Tammy Jacobs (Reno Sweeney in the '93 "Anything Goes" and director of the '94 "Hair") joins the Broadway cast of "Les Misérables" in charming audiences nightly.

Members of MUSKET, past and present, believe the training helps to lay the foundation for a successful career in the entertainment industry. There is a consensus that the experience gives the students a sense of accomplishment and belief in their abilities that exists because the production has little input from faculty.

"(It's wonderful that) you are creating something with your peers, and the product is strictly from students. The great mix of students from the University allow for different levels of professionalism and with every new show there is a lot of trust involved," explained Jonathan Berry (performer in the '93 "Anything Goes" and the '94 "42nd Street" and assistant director of the '94 "Hair").

"There are fears and doubts, but it always comes together and you always learn."