Scaramouche and Galileo just come and go in the famous operatic sequence in Queen’s megahit “Bohemian Rhapsody.” But in “We Will Rock You,” the jukebox musical by Ben Elton that features more than 20 songs by the English rock band, they are the two main characters.
In a futuristic society that bans creativity, individuality and rock ‘n’ roll, Scaramouche Fandango and Galileo Figaro are at the forefront of a rebellion by outcasts calling themselves “Bohemians.” Their adversaries are Killer Queen of the reigning Globalsoft Corporation and his commander-in-chief Khashoggi. It shouldn’t take long to hear how British writer/comedian Elton, who created “We Will Rock You” in 2002, wove songs by Queen into his narrative.
New Village Arts Theatre in Carlsbad is kicking off its 25th anniversary season with the San Diego premiere of “We Will Rock You,” directed by Sheldon Gomabon, with musical direction by Erin Vanderhyde-Gross and choreography by Erica Kahn.
Sheldon Gomabon is the director of New Village Arts’ “We Will Rock You.” (Sheldon Gomabon)
Gomabon is the former artistic director of Teatro San Diego, which last staged an ambitious “West Side Story” at the City Heights Performance Annex. The graduate of San Diego State’s MFA program in musical theater sees the dystopian “We Will Rock You” at NVA as a tale of a community rallying.
“I wanted to approach this with the idea of community first and foremost,” he said, “with the message that when you come together as a community you can do anything you want. Power in numbers.”
Not only do the rebelling “Bohemians” come together in the face of tyranny in “We Will Rock You,” but a seven-member cast in the New Village production is tasked with playing multiple roles and with managing the vocal demands of Queen’s songs and the high bar set by the band’s late front man Freddie Mercury.
“It was important for me to allow all of our actors to play a multitude of different roles on top of their main roles, as if we were a traveling troupe of theater artists,” said Gomabon. “We’re making this bigger-than-life show with a small cast in an intimate setting, yet having that magnitude that Queen has because of its sound … as if we’re creating something magical in a shoebox.”
Audrey Ward plays the role of Khashoggi in New Village Arts’ “We Will Rock You.” (Audrey Ward)
The production stars Cooper Orio as Galileo and Sarah Ledesma as Scaramouche. Playing Khashoggi (usually a male role) among other parts is Audrey Ward, who memorably portrayed another antagonist of a very different sort, Lena Lamont, at NVA three years ago in its production of “Singin’ in the Rain.”
“I always find in any role that is ‘villain’-driven a vulnerability,” Ward said, “a person in there who has this need and this want. That vulnerability makes the audience somewhat kind of root for you.”
The henchman Khashoggi may be a bad guy, she said, but “He’s still very playful and his ego gets in the way of his dominance. There’s a little bit of playfulness there.”
Calling herself an “’80s child,” Ward said she grew up listening to Queen.
“The music means so much to me. In my youth when I was listening to them it was just fun songs. As we’re learning the show I’m finding so much meaning behind the words.”
Her favorite Queen song? “Don’t Stop Me Now.”
“I always sing that at the top of my lungs,” she said.
For director Gomabon it’s “Under Pressure,” the 1981 collaboration between Queen and David Bowie.
“It has this driving beat that makes you want to stand up and get involved,” he said. “Within the context of our story it allows our two heroes to come together and find their commonalities.”
‘We Will Rock You’
When: Previews, Aug. 7 through 14. Opens Aug. 15 and runs through Sept. 20. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays
Where: New Village Arts, 2787 State St., Carlsbad
Tickets: $45-$85
Phone: 760-433-3245
Online: newvillagearts.org
The cast of in New Village Arts’ “We Will Rock You.” (New Village Arts)