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'Lucky Duck'
New York playwright assisting with his musical at BHSU
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FarkSPEARFISH -- Watching college theater productions at Black Hills State University was a major influence on Bill Russell as a young boy growing up in Spearfish.
Today, the New York lyricist and playwright is spending a week in residence at the university to assist in the production of his musical, "Lucky Duck."
"I've always loved theater, and I've always loved music, so it's the perfect combination," Russell said of his passion for musicals.
The amateur rights to "Lucky Duck" were released just this year. Russell directed the first amateur production last spring, at the Boston Conservatory; he believes the BHSU show may be the second amateur production ever.
The performance also marks the very first time one of Russell's musicals has been performed in the Black Hills.
"I'm very, very happy that one is getting done there," he said last week by phone from New York.
He plans to remain in town through the week to enjoy the play's opening night on Thursday, Oct. 18.
Although he has returned for several benefit performances at the Matthews Opera House, Russell said he was thrilled to be asked to come back for a production of his work.
A 1967 graduate of Spearfish High School, Russell recently became one of the initial inductees into the Spearfish High School Fine Arts Hall of Fame.
He began writing musicals in college, composing the "book" (meaning the script) and song lyrics while working with composers who wrote the scores. He has authored 14 musicals, and his work has been translated and performed around the world.
Russell wrote the book and lyrics for the critically acclaimed Broadway musical "Side Show," receiving a Tony nomination for book and sharing a nomination with composer Henry Krieger for score.
Most recently, Russell and composer Krieger have been commissioned by the Kennedy Center to write a new musical as part of its upcoming Japan Festival. The musical, titled "Up in the Air," will be an adaptation of a well-known Japanese story.
"Lucky Duck" also is a retelling of a familiar fable -- the Hans Christian Andersen tale of the ugly duckling who grows into a swan.
"Lucky Duck" is not a straight adaptation, however, only using the basic idea as inspiration. The musical is set in an animal kingdom; when the duckling transforms into a swan, she becomes "the hottest supermodel in the kingdom."
"It's a fun show," Russell said, describing the score as "rocking."
For more information on the production, call theater director Bert Juhrend at 642-6268.
If you go
What: "Lucky Duck," a musical by Bill Russell
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 18-20, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21
Where: Woodburn Auditorium, Black Hills State University in Spearfish
Tickets: $5 at the door
For information: 642-6268
Contact Ruth Milne at 394-8329 or ruth.milne@rapidcityjournal.com
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