Although "Over the Rainbow" — Pen, Paint and Pretzels' (3Ps) gender-bending cabaret to raise AIDS awareness — is returning at 8 p.m. tonight for its third year in a row, the show promises to be anything but stale.
In fact, it's safe to say that 3Ps would actually have to work to make this evening dull. In "Over the Rainbow," men play traditionally female roles and vice versa in a compilation of fun and well-known musical numbers. Combine all that with an emphasis on audience engagement and interaction, and the result is a fun, provocative, festive experience — all done in the name of a good cause.
Senior Jeewon Kim directs this night of decidedly anti-normative entertainment. Tickets for the show are free at the Balch Arena Box Office, and also grant admittance to the pre-performance reception at 7:15 p.m., when food and drinks will be served, and Broadway-related items will be raffled and auctioned off. All proceeds will be donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, an organization which marries theater and fund-raising to assist institutions tackling the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Last year, "Over the Rainbow" raised about $5,000 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, $2,000 more than the first performance brought in.
The philanthropic performance will feature popular Broadway hits like "You Can't Stop the Beat" from "Hairspray," "I'll Cover You" from "Rent" and "I Am What I Am" from "La Cage Aux Folles." Senior Jared Trudeau, the music director, guided these musical numbers.
"We're trying to make it relevant to the student community, but also bring in a global perspective," senior Samantha Kindler, executive producer of "Over the Rainbow," said.
Accordingly, 3Ps hsteamed up with Tufts groups HIV/AIDS Initiative, VOX, HYPE! and Sarabande for this performance. "It's not all just theater kids," Kim said.
The night will also feature a Boston-area director sharing his personal experience of being HIV positive. Oh, and University President Lawrence Bacow and his wife Adele Fleet Bacow are performing at the beginning. Talk about engaging the Tufts community.
Even considering the new tricks up 3Ps' sleeve for this year's show, the fundamentals of "Over the Rainbow" remain unchanged — and that's a good thing. As before, celebrating the individual is a major part of the play. There is no set, and the actors wear their own clothes.
"It's about performing as yourself, and ... connecting with people" Kim said. "It's about a community of people uniting on one night and celebrating the joy and spirit of giving."
Also as in previous years, the theme of the performance is defying adversity, Kindler said. "We're just excited to once again continue this theme of philanthropy and charity in the drama department," she said.
Kim and Kindler, who conceived "Over the Rainbow" during their sophomore year, are determined to make the performance an annual tradition that will outlive them at Tufts.
"We've kind of put in this mentorship … [in which] everyone on the production staff who is a senior had an assistant who will hopefully take over next year," Kindler said.
Happily, both Kim and Kindler seem to find their brainchild in good hands.
"One thing we've done to encourage the cast to work together is challenge each of them and the production staff to raise $100 on their own to get them connected to the group and the cause," Kindler said. "They're not just cast members who want to perform — they want to do it for the cause."
Though "Over the Rainbow" is sold out, 50 standing room tickets are available today, free of charge, at the Balch Arena Box Office. Even if you're unable to attend the show, Kim and Kindler invite you to stop by and make a donation.
