USU Theatre Department Presents 'A Catered Affair' at Caine Lyric Theatre

The musical A Catered Affair will open at Utah State University’s Caine Lyric Theatre (28 W. Center, Logan) Oct. 29 with a 7:30 p.m. curtain. The production runs nightly through Saturday, Nov. 2, with a 2 p.m. matinee the last day.

“The musical introduces our students and audience to the work of composer John Bucchino,” said Ken Risch, theatre department head in the Caine College of the Arts and the show’s director. “His subtle and deeply personal style pairs well with this delicate piece about a family needing to embrace change forced upon it by the death of their son who was killed while serving in Korea.”

The musical tells the story of a Bronx mother’s efforts to give her only daughter the elaborate wedding she — the mother — never had, and her daughter never asked for. A Catered Affair is based on the book by Harvey Fierstein with music and lyrics by John Bucchino.

Risch said the cast of A Catered Affair feels strongly that although the play is set in 1953, the issues confronting the family are universal and highly relevant.

“It’s touching, very human and takes the audience on a journey that is often heartbreaking but ultimately heartwarming,” said Risch.

The musical has a unique mother-daughter relationship that the actors believe is very relatable for the audience.

“The relationship between the mother and daughter could be a reflection of any relationship that has been distanced because one preferred someone else,” said Katie Marsh, who plays the daughter in the production. “Since we all relate to each other differently, there is going to be another love that transpires between each new and old relationship.”

Marsh hopes people are able to make a connection in their own lives when they see the musical and embrace any experience they’re going through.

“This is a love story, plain and not so simple,” said Sydnee Fullmer who plays the mother in A Catered Affair. “Old and tired love, new and hopeful love, the love between a brother and sister, love that is lost, the love between a parent and child and the healthy love of oneself.”

Part of the theme of the 2013-14 theater season is “To create something new, you must first love what is old.” Fullmer believes this musical fits perfectly within the theme.

Tickets for A Catered Affair are $18 adults, $15 seniors and youth, $10 USU faculty and staff and free for USU students with ID. For more information or tickets, contact the Caine College of the Arts Box Office in room 139-B of the Chase Fine Arts Center on USU’s campus, call 435-797-8022, or check the college’s Production Services website.

Related links:

USU Theatre Arts Department

USU Caine College of the Arts

Whitney Schulte, 435-797-9203, whit.schulte@gmail.com

Contact: Denise Albiston, 435-797-1500, denise.albiston@usu.edu