Published: Friday, May 1, 2009
'Stunt Girl' star Sarah Chafly revels in role of Nellie Bly
Back in the day, newspapers were the reality television of their time and ground-breaking investigative journalist Nellie Bly had Spice Girl-like fame.
Bly was a cultural sensation, which is one of the reasons non-journalists should watch "Stunt Girl." Others include that it's an action-packed play that takes us through a remarkable 44 scenes, it's got some tender moments and a Broadway-style score, said actress Sarah Chalfy.
Chalfy does have a bias. She plays journalist Nellie Bly. But Chalfy doesn't speak alone. This new Village Theatre musical based on Bly's life has been receiving sterling reviews since its premier in Issaquah in March.
"Stunt Girl" opens at 8 tonight at the Everett Performing Arts Center in Everett.
"The show is a wonderful, classic, rousing Broadway-style musical," Chalfy said in a phone interview.
The story is set in the 1880s with Elizabeth Cochran -- soon to be Nellie Bly -- landing a job among the all-male staff of the New York World. Bly earned the job after successfully gaining admittance into an insane asylum for a story.
Bly continues her stunts and gains more and more fame, but Chalfy cautioned audiences that Bly was no show-off.
"What's interesting about Nellie is she's just a go-getter," Chalfy said. "I think she was always more interested in protecting the under served and those abused by society. She's an activist."
But, Chalfy added, Bly liked to look good. That led to romantic entanglements.
Bly was pursued by two men: journalist Arthur Brisbane and millionaire Robert Seaman. The man she eventually ends up with is among the many twists and turns in this whirlwind story.
Chalfy said the love story part of "Stunt Girl" plays somewhat of a backseat role in this plucky and wacky musical that hits the ground running in an attempt to keep pace with Bly's life.
"In just the first act we go from an insane asylum to around the world and through many newsrooms, so at least the love aspect allows the characters and the audience a breather," Chalfy said.
"Stunt Girl" was conceived by New York-based composer David Friedman, with book and lyrics by two-time Tony award nominee Peter Kellogg. Friedman has been a frequent vocal arranger and conductor for Disney in the animated musicals "Beauty and the Beast," "Aladdin," "Pocahontas" and "Hunchback of Notre Dame."
Chalfy's two favorite tunes from the musical are "Around the World," a rousing full-company number, and "Black and White," a love song in which two people lament on what they've given up in their lives.
This production is Chalfy's Village Theatre debut. The 30-year-old Bellevue native said it's great to come back home after 15 years living on the East Coast, but would have taken this role even if she had to play Bly in Iowa.
"It's an amazing role," Chalfy said. "Peter and David wrote in wonderfully reflective kind of stuff where Nellie asks, 'What is this all for?' that for me as an actor, really allowed me to get into the character."
Bly was a cultural sensation, which is one of the reasons non-journalists should watch "Stunt Girl." Others include that it's an action-packed play that takes us through a remarkable 44 scenes, it's got some tender moments and a Broadway-style score, said actress Sarah Chalfy.
Chalfy does have a bias. She plays journalist Nellie Bly. But Chalfy doesn't speak alone. This new Village Theatre musical based on Bly's life has been receiving sterling reviews since its premier in Issaquah in March.
"Stunt Girl" opens at 8 tonight at the Everett Performing Arts Center in Everett.
"The show is a wonderful, classic, rousing Broadway-style musical," Chalfy said in a phone interview.
The story is set in the 1880s with Elizabeth Cochran -- soon to be Nellie Bly -- landing a job among the all-male staff of the New York World. Bly earned the job after successfully gaining admittance into an insane asylum for a story.
Bly continues her stunts and gains more and more fame, but Chalfy cautioned audiences that Bly was no show-off.
"What's interesting about Nellie is she's just a go-getter," Chalfy said. "I think she was always more interested in protecting the under served and those abused by society. She's an activist."
But, Chalfy added, Bly liked to look good. That led to romantic entanglements.
Bly was pursued by two men: journalist Arthur Brisbane and millionaire Robert Seaman. The man she eventually ends up with is among the many twists and turns in this whirlwind story.
Chalfy said the love story part of "Stunt Girl" plays somewhat of a backseat role in this plucky and wacky musical that hits the ground running in an attempt to keep pace with Bly's life.
"In just the first act we go from an insane asylum to around the world and through many newsrooms, so at least the love aspect allows the characters and the audience a breather," Chalfy said.
"Stunt Girl" was conceived by New York-based composer David Friedman, with book and lyrics by two-time Tony award nominee Peter Kellogg. Friedman has been a frequent vocal arranger and conductor for Disney in the animated musicals "Beauty and the Beast," "Aladdin," "Pocahontas" and "Hunchback of Notre Dame."
Chalfy's two favorite tunes from the musical are "Around the World," a rousing full-company number, and "Black and White," a love song in which two people lament on what they've given up in their lives.
This production is Chalfy's Village Theatre debut. The 30-year-old Bellevue native said it's great to come back home after 15 years living on the East Coast, but would have taken this role even if she had to play Bly in Iowa.
"It's an amazing role," Chalfy said. "Peter and David wrote in wonderfully reflective kind of stuff where Nellie asks, 'What is this all for?' that for me as an actor, really allowed me to get into the character."
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