Members of the department of theatre will be presenting a benefit concert, titled”Backstage Live” tonight.
The concert, which is being held at the Drake Performance and Event Center, is free. All donations will be given to Camp Sunrise, an Ohio camp that helps children affected by HIV or AIDS.
“It’s a big deal to us, not just the show but doing it for a good cause,” said Barbie Papalios, a senior in theatre.
The theme for this year’s show is “The Drake,” a tongue-in-cheek look at a year’s worth of theatre shows at Ohio State. The opening number, sung to the tune of the “Gilligan’s Island” theme song, pokes fun at cell phones going off in the audience and the “smelly green room fridge.”
The group of 11 theatre participants will be performing 17 skits in all. The show is entirely student-run, written and performed.
“It’s so great. People who I wouldn’t have thought as writers are writing, and it’s really come together nice,” said Sarah Lammon, a senior in theatre.
“Backstage Live” will begin right after the theatre department’s end of the year banquet. Elizabeth Yerian, a junior in theatre, believes most of the people at the banquet can be persuaded to stick around for the show.
“They just walk right in and we have an instant audience, which is kind of nice,” Yerian said.
Anyone wishing to see the show or donate is welcome to attend, but it looks to be especially entertaining for theatre folks looking to have fun after a year of hard work.
“It’s really funny that it has come together like this,” Yerian said. “We have an awesome show.”
Graham Beckwith can be reached at [email protected].
