'BABY' Musical intertwines lives of 3 couples

The story is one everyone can relate to on some level, an actor says.
By L. CROW
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- In 1988, Michael Cavalier was a law student at the University of Pittsburgh. He had the opportunity to perform in a musical, "Baby," written in 1983 by Richard Maltby, Jr. Cavalier fell in love with it, and after years of waiting and pushing, is ecstatic to finally premiere in this play in Lawrence County. "Baby" will open at New Castle Playhouse on Oct. 21.
The musical covers nine months in the lives of three couples who are going to have a baby. It takes place in a small college town somewhere in the Northeast. One couple, unmarried, are college juniors who grapple with the question of doing what is right. Should they get married or not?
The second couple is in their 30s, both gym teachers. They desperately want children, but have fertility problems. The third couple is in their 40s -- he's 48 and she's 43. He is a college administrator, and she is a housewife. Their youngest of three daughters has just left for college, and they have an empty nest for the first time in 20 years. The husband feels revitalized, but the wife feels dread. The question of abortion even arises.
"This play is the ultimate warm fuzzy," said Cavalier. "It is a great universal story that everyone will relate to. We can identify at all levels with all these couples, either having been there ourselves, or we know someone who has. We get so sucked into the lives of these people, they become real to us; we really care. There are funny moments, but it is mostly touching. Even the men will get teary-eyed."
Cavalier says "Baby" is not so much a musical, but a play with music. "It is all contemporary music -- ballads rather than Broadway," he said. "It is the complete opposite of 'State Fair,' which had big ensemble numbers and choreography." "State Fair" was the last musical directed by Cavalier at NCP. He teaches senior English and performing arts at Neshannock High School, and directs all the musicals at NCP.
Struggles with identity issues
Lesley Gent of Zelienople, Pa., is playing the role of Lizzie, the college student. Though she said she is closer in age to the middle couple, she feels more in tune with the younger one. "Lizzie thinks of herself as being wise and in touch with herself, and what she wants out of life, but she is still so unsure," said Gent. "She is a walking dichotomy. She and her boyfriend, Danny (Tyler Brice), who is a punk rock musician, have just moved in together. She accepts the fact that she is pregnant, but is above all labels and thinks marriage is too conventional. She thinks 'we can do it our way -- we don't need to be married.' And she doesn't want to burden her boyfriend. But he is the one who is more conventional, and wants to be married, which scares her. They struggle with identity."
Gent says that this story is not only about the birth of a baby, but the "rebirthing" process of the couples. "They are all catapulted into a new realm," she said. "They either embrace it or repel it. This role has really been a challenge to me. I've had to do some digging into this character."
X"Baby" opens at New Castle Playhouse on Oct. 21 and will run through Nov. 6. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. There will be a wine and cheese reception at 7 p.m. on opening night for all ticket holders. Call (724) 654-3437 for more information, or go to www.clik.to/ncp