By NATALIE GAMBRELL
Contributing Writer

Progress is well underway for Piedmont’s production of the musical “Sweet
Charity,” their first theatre production of the year.
Despite only having a little over a month to complete the production, the
theatre department is making very efficient use of their time, rehearsing for three
hours a night, five nights a week.
“We rehearse blocking Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and we rehearse
choreography on Wednesdays and Fridays,” said freshman theatre major and
assistant stage manager Katie Malloy.
“Sweet Charity” takes place in New York City, and is the story of an unlucky
dancer and her quest to find love. The show opened on Broadway in 1966, and has
since been made into a movie and had several revivals.
While the dance numbers are simple, there is a lot jam packed into every
song, according to Malloy.
“‘Rhythm of Life’ has everyone in the cast and that’s pretty intense. But
another song, ‘Big Spender,’ is less intense. It just depends on the dance,” added
Malloy.
As for the sets and costumes, the story takes place in the 1960s, which means
the sets and costumes will reflect the culture of the city at that time, including some
hippie elements.
The sets differ from the kind of sets Piedmont usually uses.
Stage manager Kallie Robinson said, “Normally we use a lot of big sets, but
for this, we’re using a lot of projections as the backdrop that we change between
scenes to show the different places.”
Despite all the work to be done, the theatre department is working hard and
staying ahead of the game.
“We almost have all of our company numbers blocked and choreographed,”
said freshman theatre major and ensemble member Brecken Watts. “A lot of the sets
have already been built and the costumes have been sketched out.”
The show will run from Oct. 2-4 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. It costs $10
general admission for adults, $5 general admission for students and seniors, or free
for Piedmont students and faculty.
Tickets can be bought in advance by calling 706-778-8500 x 1355 or by
ordering online at www2.piedmont.edu/FA/index.php.