Contact: Jack Bailey (304) 766-4109 jbaile19@wvstateu.edu
INSTITUTE, W.Va. -The West Virginia State University (WVSU) Creators Program will sponsor live staged readings of “Space Preachers: The Musical” Friday, October 11, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, October 12, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Elk City Playhouse in Charleston.
The musical is based on the 1990 science fiction film “Strangest Dreams: Invasion of the Space Preachers,” written and directed by Daniel Boyd, a retired WVSU communications professor, filmmaker and graphic novelist. It features music and lyrics by Mark Scarpelli and a book by Boyd. Adam Bryan will direct.
“To see this film live on in musical form is fantastic,” said Boyd, whose original film, “Strangest Dreams,” is available for streaming on Amazon Prime through distributor Troma Entertainment. “Mark and Adam have been excellent to help me breathe new life into this project that has long held a special place for me. Audiences can expect the same level of fun and camp from the original film, with a 21st century musical makeover.”
The live reading will feature many of the film’s actors reprising their original roles. Set in the backwoods of West Virginia, the plot centers on a possible alien invasion that is turning townspeople into mindless automatons.
Boyd is an acclaimed filmmaker (“Chillers,” “Paradise Park”), a two-time television regional Emmy nominee and a multi-nominated graphic novelist (“Chillers,” “CARBON,” “SALT”). In 2017 Boyd and Gold/Platinum albums recipient and NPR’s Mountain Stage co-creator and host Larry Groce collaborated on the full staged musical adaptation of his movie “Paradise Park,” commissioned by Theatre West Virginia. The show played for two seasons to rave reviews. During his tenure at WVSU, Boyd taught around the world including in Tanzania as a three-time Fulbright scholar. He continues to serve as Artist in Residence at WVSU’s Economic Development Center (EDC) in Charleston.
Originally from Connecticut, Scarpelli is a Charleston-based composer/musician. He studied music composition under Joseph Schwantner at Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. Four operas, 19 musicals, six ballets, two Masses and a number of musical adaptations and arrangements are in his compositional catalogue.
Bryan is the director/manager of the Alban Arts and Conference Center in St. Albans. He is a graduate of California University of Pennsylvania and has worked in the theatre at such places as Tecumseh! and Theatre West Virginia. He has taught several theatre classes, including at Theatre West Virginia’s Professional Training Academy and at the Alban Arts Academy.
The WVSU Creators Program, a sponsor of the event along with Contemporary Youth Arts Company, is a series of community workshops focusing on skills and knowledge essential to creating for mass media and art held at the WVSU EDC.
Tickets for the live reading of “Space Preachers: The Musical” cost $15 and are available at showclix.com. Remaining tickets will be sold at the door. Seating is limited.
The Elk City Playhouse is located at 218 W. Washington St. in Charleston.
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