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STOP THE WORLD —
I WANT TO GET OFF!
(Success vs. Happiness)

7:30 p.m. Saturday, January 26, 2019
3:00 p.m. Sunday, January 27, 2019
Greaves Concert Hall, NKU

The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra’s 2018-19 Passport to musical adventure continues to whisk audiences across the globe. On January 26 & 27, the KSO dusts off the 1961 musical STOP THE WORLD — I WANT TO GET OFFby the British team of Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse, for the first Cincinnati performances since 1978.

The KSO has produced a number of semi-staged, concert performances of Broadway musicals in Greaves Concert Hall — Kismet (1993), Jesus Christ Superstar (1997), Sweeney Todd (2002), Evita (2005) and West Side Story (2008). “While programming the orchestra’s 27th season, I was looking for a musical that was small and lesser known, and recalled this quirky little show from the ‘60s that offered three big songs, a small cast and orchestra, with a title that seems more relevant today than it did in 1961,” commented KSO music director James Cassidy.

STOP THE WORLD — I WANT TO GET OFF is a thought-provoking musical pointing out the ephemeral nature of worldly success, often achieved to the detriment of one’s personal happiness. Littlechap (played by Joshua Steele) finds himself a father before his time and agrees to marry Evie, the boss’s daughter (played by Brooke Steele). Though this helps him climb the business ladder, Littlechap (the everyman) finds himself trapped in the responsibility of a premature family. He turns to women of the world, yet finds only empty fulfillment. In the twilight of his years, he finally discovers that he has wasted his life looking for something that he actually had all the time — his wife’s true love. Hit songs include: “Gonna Build a Mountain”, “Once in a Lifetime” and “What Kind of Fool Am I.”

As with West Side Story a decade ago, the KSO again partners with NKU’s School of the Arts as faculty member and stage director Brian Robertson, along with the show’s seven-member chorus, all hail from the University’s Theatre Department. The original 14-piece orchestration will be performed by members of the KSO under the musical direction of James Cassidy.

Stop your world, and join the The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra for a rare opportunity to experience this charming, tuneful musical at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, January 26, and 3:00 p.m., Sunday, January 27, at Greaves Concert Hall on the campus of NKU. Reserved seating tickets are $19, $27, $35 (children ages 6-18 are 50% off) and are available online at kyso.org, by phone—(859) 431-6216, or at the door.

STOP THE WORLD —
I WANT TO GET OFF!
(Success vs. Happiness)

7:30 p.m. Saturday, January 26, 2019
3:00 p.m. Sunday, January 27, 2019
Greaves Concert Hall, NKU

Music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley

Cast:

• Joshua Steele as Littlechap
• Brooke Steele as Evie, (Anya, Ilse, Ginnie)
• Victoria Avery as Susan
• Mary Mills as Jane

Chorus:

• Victoria Avery
• Halee Hood
• Mary Mills
• Courtney Mulford
• Chloe Price
• Danielle Ullman
• Adria Whitfill

Stage Director: Brian Robertson
Music Director: James Cassidy
Music Preparation: Stephen Variames

Queen’s Theatre London – July 20, 1961 (485 performances)
Shubert Theatre, New York – October, 1962 (555 performances)

The KSO’s 2018-19 Subscription Series is supported in part by a generous grant from the
Louise Taft Semple Foundation

2019 KSO Subscription concerts are supported by the
Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund of the Greenacres Foundation

KSO Podium Sponsor: Macy’s
Concert Sponsor: The Party Source
Season support provided by Artswave & The Kentucky Arts Council