UCO to stage Oklahoma premiere of 'The Fix'

By: Lyndsay Gillum

Posted: 9/27/07

The Oklahoma premiere of "The Fix" will be hosted by University of Central Oklahoma's School of Music at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4 through Oct. 6 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 7 in Mitchell Hall Theater.

"The Fix" is a 1997 musical with book and lyrics by John Dempsey and music by Dana P. Rowe. The musical was nominated for numerous Oliver awards when it premiered in London, with Philip Quast named "Best Actor" in 1998. It gathered nominations in nearly every category including "Best Musical" in Washington, D.C.'s Helen Hayes Awards, winning two awards.

According to StageAgent.com, "The Fix" is part tabloid, part "The Manchurian Candidate." The musical focuses on Cal Chandler, the son of a United States senator and Presidential candidate who dies while in bed with his mistress. At Chandler's father's funeral, his widow (Violet) encourages her brother-in-law, Grahame Chandler, to mentor Cal through the ranks of political office and to follow in his father's footsteps.

Cal successfully campaigns for the city council and governor, but gets mixed up with local mob boss Anthony Gliardi and begins an affair with a club singer, Tina. Drugs and alcohol start to take a toll on Cal, and the mob eventually turns on him (but for the fate of Tina and Cal, you'll have to find out for yourselves at the premiere).

The show features strong language, adult subject matter and a rocking contemporary beat, similar to the Broadway musical "Rent."

"The writing team who gave the musical theatre world 'Zombie Prom' and 'The Witches of Eastwick' has created this really wild ride into the world of politics and the press and, in particular, the excesses of one very dysfunctional political family," said director Billie Thrash in a statement.

And while edgy, she also added that this type of musical is critical to advancing a student's future.

"For the music theatre students who are being trained for a career, this is essential. For every 'High School Musical' and 'George M' for which they audition, there will be a 'Spring Awakening' or 'Assassins,' said Thrash.

"The Fix" is for mature audiences only.

Tickets for the show are $12 for adults, $8 for Senior Citizens, $4 for UCO students and $6 for non-UCO students.