Young, upcoming and wildly successful Austin Cook is music director for Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre's next production of "Some Enchanted Evening: The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein," running March 11-April 30.
In this revue paying homage to Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, Cook is working with 36 of their songs - either fully sung or a fragment in a medley. Not only is he working with five singers, but he is also singing and playing his own white baby grand piano at the No Exit Café. And, some arrangements are his own to adjust scores to one piano when two pianos or a full orchestra is the norm.
"Rodgers and Hammerstein have a very special place in my heart," Cook said. "I can remember as a young boy watching the ‘Sound of Music' with my Mom and falling in love with the beautiful melodies."
Cook started as an opera accompanist and music director. He slowly began moving into musical theatre, first with Gilbert and Sullivan and then progressing to more contemporary musical theatre.
Before moving to Chicago in 2009, Cook worked for Walt Disney Entertainment in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. He played the piano in multiple venues and eventually collaborated on such projects as the musicals of "Finding Nemo" and "Toy Story." He has music directed 13 shows since coming to Chicago two years ago.
Highlighting the lyrics and melodies of Rodgers and Hammerstein is Cook's vision with Some Enchanted Evening, which sometimes meant rearranging accompaniment to place more emphasis on the lyrics.
"This show is about taking a closer look at the wonderful history of musical theatre, represented by arguably the best musical theatre writing duo in history," Cook said.
Cook is directing five singers beside himself, including Evan Tyrone Martin, Sara Schoch, Danni Smith, Dana Tretta and Jeremy Trager in the intimate 60-seat setting of the No Exit Café in Rogers Park.
The revue is directed by Fred Anzevino, Theo Ubique's Artistic Director, and it is choreographed by Ben Mason.
Ten Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals are represented in the revue: "Allegro," "Carousel," "Cinderella," "Flower Drum Song," "The King and I," "Oklahoma," "Pipe Dream," "South Pacific," "The Sound of Music" and "State Fair."
Preview performances are March 11-13 at 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday and 7 p.m., Sunday. Opening night is 7:30 p.m., Monday, March 14. The regular run is March 17-April 28 at 7:30 p.m., Thursdays; 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, and 7 p.m., Sundays at the No Exit Café, 6970 N. Glenwood in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago. Doors open, dinner is served and the shuttle van starts 90 minutes prior to curtain.
Tickets are $25 each for Thursday, Friday, Sunday and opening night. Saturday night tickets are $30 each. A three-course dinner can be reserved for $20 (plus beverages, taxes and tips).
Free parking is available at the parking lot on the corner of Morse and Ravenswood with free transport on the Lifeline shuttle van to and from the lot. The No Exit Café is by the Morse stop on the Red Line. Special discounts will be offered through Theo Ubique e-news announcements, which are available by signing up through the web site at www.theoubique.org.
