BWW Interviews: BEAUTIFUL CUL DE SAC Makes its World Premiere in Columbus

A new musical is coming to town--one that explores the themes of love, passion and the suburban American Dream, wittily played out under the golden glow of neighborhood streetlights.

"Beautiful Cul de sac," a new musical comedy written and directed by Stefan Farrenkopf and performed by Columbus' own Shots in the Dark Independent Theatre Company, is set to celebrate its world premiere on June 19.

The musical is based in the fictional subdivision of Stony Bridge Lakes, a housing development area that is a perfect manifestation of life in the suburbs. The plot focuses on a small cast of characters and highlights their individual quests to realize their own happiness within this white-picket-fence vision of the classic American Dream.

In "Beautiful Cul de sac," audiences will follow the story of Tom Peterson (Andy Falter), his wife, Susan (Ashley Woodard), and their 12-year-old son, Billy (Evan Farrenkopf), as they leave their personal dreams behind and move to suburbia. In his backyard, Tom aspires to build a magnificent deck, which provides unexpected opportunities for him to become closer to his neighbor, Jill (Heather Carvel), despite his friendship with Jill's husband, Ed (Justin Nawman). Meanwhile, Ed tries to bring his personal dream of writing a musical to life and his children, Kelly (Emma Farrenkopf) and Ken (Alex Farrenkopf), struggle with the dissonance that arises between their teenage mindsets and the realities of life in Stony Bridge Lakes.

The musical delves into the heavier topics of fulfillment, passion and love with touches of satire and light-hearted appreciation for the ebb and flow of the natural course of circumstances that arise in everyday life.

"The show also sort of laughs at (those traditionally serious themes), or at least the way we get those pursuits wrong so often," said Stefan Farrenkopf, who also serves as musical director and accompanist for the show. "Tom Peterson, the main character, he thinks he'll be happy if he builds a deck. It's kind of ridiculous, but also true, right? Not that he will be happy with a deck. But that we get caught up in the wrong stuff sometimes."

Farrenkopf said he began work on the first draft of "Beautiful Cul de sac" 15 years ago, and in that time, he has written and produced several other musicals, including "Lunch Lady: Tater Tots of Love" and a musical adaptation of William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" for Columbus Academy. Additionally, he wrote "Buzzfed: The Musical," a short production created for Columbus' Available Light Theatre's 24 Hour Theatre.

Several other productions, including Craig Lucas's "Reckless," as well as the 1999 drama film "American Beauty," also inspired the way "Beautiful Cul de sac" approaches the idealized notion of suburban life, Farrenkopf said.

Farrenkopf added that he hopes audiences who view "Beautiful Cul de sac" will appreciate the raw emotion and the culture of Columbus' theater community, and emphasized the difference between locally-produced musicals like "Beautiful Cul de sac" and cinematic blockbusters like "Jurassic World."

"Here's what I think people should do this weekend. They should go see 'Jurassic World.' See that and be amazed at how real and perfect all the CGI dinosaurs look," Farrenkopf said. "And then, come see this show-or some other local theater-and see how imperfect and real everything actually is, real people in the same room, no CGI or Photoshop or million-dollar budgets, telling a story and singing songs and laughing and clapping together. This is a really good show and people will have a fun, meaningful, memorable evening."

Farrenkopf said he is looking forward to seeing how the audience connects with the characters in the musical.

"I'll admit that I have been gratified by what people have told me after reading or working on this show, the recognition they have seen in their own experiences, the way they were touched by the flawed characters who are trying so hard to be better or happier," he said. "In two weeks, when this show is over, I hope the people who came to see it are really glad that they did."

From a personal point of view, Farrenkopf said he is also excited to see his children perform in the show.

"I admit it looks a little Von-Trapp-Family-Singers-ish," he said. "But, hey, the Von Trapps were really good, right? Plus, I get to see my kids sing three-part harmony in songs I wrote, and I don't think I'd trade that for anything."

"Beautiful Cul de sac" is set to be performed at Upper Arlington High School's Little Theater. Shows are scheduled for June 19, 20, 26 and 27 at 8 p.m. and June 28 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for students. Ticket information can be found on the Shots in the Dark Independent Theatre Company website.

"Beautiful Cul de sac" includes adult themes, profanity, sexual situations and drug use. Parental discretion is advised.

Upper Arlington High School is located at 1650 Ridgeview Road.

Photo Credit: Jerri Shafer