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The director of Knight Light Family Theatre's upcoming production of Peter Pan is no stranger to musical theater. In fact, it's his life. Randal K. West has agreed not only to direct Knight Light's production of Peter Pan, but also to choreograph it and play Captain Hook.
With both a bachelor's and a master's degree in musical theater, West has directed, choreographed, or starred in more than 60 professional and community theater productions over the past 25 years. Recently, Stephen Sondheim asked West to assist him and George Furth in revising one of the great composer-lyricist's first musical works, Merrily We Roll Along. West ended up directing the pre-Broadway workshop production of the newly revised Sondheim show, which was the world premiere of the new version. The experience of working with Sondheim was one of the highlights of his career.
Randy is currently Creative Director at Hawthorne Direct, the national direct-response advertising agency based in Fairfield. Before joining Hawthorne last May, Randy was Creative Director for Cambridge Productions in Redlands, California, an entertainment conglomerate specializing in the creation of feature films and network television.
In fact West's entire career has centered on directing, choreographing, and performing live theater--especially musical theater--and directing video and television. He has directed more than 60 plays and musicals, and has won more than 25 awards for his creative efforts in both theater and television. Most of his work has been in Southern California, the San Francisco Bay area, and Arizona. He has also been a frequent guest lecturer at universities and theater arts festivals nationwide. One of his most requested presentations is on how to audition for a musical.
West has played many roles professionally, including Daddy Warbucks in Annie, Jesus in Godspell, and Captain Hook in his own production of a musical he wrote, Time Out of Rhyme.
Speaking of Captain Hook, West is playing the evil pirate in the production he is directing. Knight Light Producer John Speer says West was a natural for taking over the directorial duties.
"Elaine and I had heard of this wonderful talent who had recently moved to town," John says. "I invited him to come over to the theater and meet us. We took a break from rehearsing Peter Pan and for a few minutes he regaled us with songs from Godspell and other shows. I asked him right then and there if he would play Captain Hook and he immediately accepted. Later, when he told us about his fabulous experience, Elaine and I knew we wanted this wonderfully talented man to direct the show."
West directed the same version of Peter Pan in California for the Acting Conservatory at Solano College. That production won the Elly Award for best Musical, and West himself won for Best Director and Best Choreographer.
West's wife, Margaret Clair, is equally talented and a professional actress and singer in her own right. Currently she is playing the Mother Duck in Iowa Theatre Company's Midwest Premiere of the acclaimed musical Honk! She will be portraying Abigail Adams in Knight Light's production of 1776 in February 2001.
"Fairfield's a nurturing environment for families and for theater," says West, who has two children, William and Gareth. "Considering the size of the population here, the level of talent is considerable."
West and his family had been living in his hometown of Hemet, California, before Randy relocated to Fairfield last spring. His wife and children joined him here in August. After Margaret Clair's initial visit last May, West asked her what she thought of Fairfield. "You know," she said, "I have met more interesting people here in the last three days than in the last year in a town of 150,000."
West also enjoys Fairfield's quality of life. "I've been very warmly received," he says. "There's a lot of enthusiasm for theater and arts in general."
Knight Light's production of Peter Pan runs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday November 10-December 3.
Knight Light Family Theatre, a regular producer of hit family musicals, announces its 2000-2001 season, beginning with the all-time favorite Peter Pan in November.
Steel Magnolias: January 2001
Following Peter Pan, Elaine Speer will direct the heartwarming and funny Steel Magnolias in cooperation with Maharishi University of Management. The show features Paula Baudoux, Maryana Eagleson, Jenna Reigle, Emily Schweitz, Jan Seehusen, and Elaine Speer as six Louisiana women confronting the joys and heartache of life in a small southern community.
1776: February-March 2001
January may be women's month, dramatically speaking, but February and March will bring out the men. February 16 is opening night for 1776, directed by John Speer and featuring 25 men portraying delegates to the Continental Congress of the United Colonies of North America debating whether to break away from England and sign the Declaration of Independence. This award-winning Broadway musical also features two women playing the wives of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Chris Busch will portray Adams; Ed Malloy will play Thomas Jefferson, and Randal K. West will portray Benjamin Franklin. Margaret Clair will play Abigail Adams.
Godspell: April-May 2001
The popular show based on The Gospel According to St. Matthew and featuring the songs of Stephen Schwartz will be directed by Elaine Speer.
The King and I
While Godspell is being performed, rehearsals will already be well under way for Jonas Magram and Maryana Eagleson starring in Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II's immortal The King and I.
"We look forward to sharing these productions with the area theater lovers and hope they will enjoy them as much as we love creating them," says producer John Speer.
