BWW Preview: Out of the Box Stops Time with 35MM: A MUSICAL EXHIBITION

35mm, a new multimedia production by Out of the Box Theatre Company, explores an innovative musical theatre concept. Can a picture inspire a song? Or fifteen? 35mm is a cross-genre photographic/musical exhibition in which fifteen featured photographs have each inspired a unique song to define those moments frozen in time--glimpses of life unfolding.

Out of the Box, a company that is constantly pushing to broaden the theatre and art experience in Santa Barbara, is thrilled to present 35mm this spring at Center Stage Theater. This production is both musical theatre and photographic showcase, with songs inspired by photographic content.

35mm features the work of internationally recognized photographer, Matthew Murphy, who specializes in photography for theatre and dance. Murphy regularly photographs Broadway's hits, including Kinky Boots, Les Miserables, and Phantom of the Opera. Murphy's husband, Broadway favorite Ryan Scott Oliver, wrote the accompanying music and lyrics. It's a song-cycle in which seemingly unrelated songs feed into each other in a concert-style theatrical showcase. The songs range in style from up-beat, campy numbers like "Caralee," in which a long-suffering manny sings about his charge, the hilariously bratty Caralee; to numbers of dark humor, such as "The Ballad of Sara Berry," about a girl who will stop at nothing to be prom queen; to poignant songs of sadness and regret--"The Party Goes With You" is about a love affair that never satisfies, and "Leave Luanne" is an intense ballad of abuse and escape.

Featuring Out of the Box alumni, Shannon Saleh, Chris Short, Tad Murroughs, and Zachary Allen Thompson. Also introducing Willie Simpson, Sophie Holt, and Kelly Sparrman to the Out of the Box stage. 35mm is an exciting fusion of artistic media that presents an intricately woven collection of stories. Concessions will be available in the courtyard; or upgrade your tickets to one of the cabaret tables and enjoy your beverages during the show! You also have a chance to get involved in the photography aspect of the show by taking pictures, and uploading them to Instagram with the hashtags 35MMWall or #35MM_SB. Out of the Box will feature these images as Instax Mini prints and display them on a photowall inside the theater.

35mm is an exciting and innovative way to enjoy an exhibition of live music, musical theatre and photography. Don't miss this one-of-a-kind artistic event! Directed by Samantha Eve, Musical Direction by Kacey Link, Stage Management by Katie Williams.

35mm Runs Thurs-Sat, March 31-April 9. All Shows begin at 8 P.M.

Information: See outoftheboxtheatre.org or centerstagetheater.org