Elton John, Billy Joel songs lift off in AMT's 'Rocketmen'

By JANE HOLAHAN
Staff Writer

When "Rocketmen" takes off at the American Music Theatre, Matthew Gotwalt will be in his glass-encased spaceship, making sure everything is running smoothly.

He'll be listening to the Billy Joel numbers that make up the first act, and the Elton John songs featured in the second.

      VIDEO: 'Rocketmen' preview and interview

He'll be doing all the behind-the-scenes things that have to get done while the audience enjoys the show.

Are members of the crew in the right place to move a piece of scenery? Is the sound OK? How about the light cues? What's going on backstage?

As the theater's company show manager, Gotwalt also helps create the original music revues that are put on at the American Music Theatre as well as serving as the liaison between the director and the production team.

"I keep communications flowing," he says.

OK, Gotwalt is not in a spaceship, but a glass-enclosed booth in the back of the house in the balcony, where he calls the show. He wears headphones that connect him directly with four different parts of the tech crew

"I like to be able to see what's going on on stage," he says.

So what will be going on?

The first act is devoted to Billy Joel and has more of a narrative.

Music director Charles Ancheta, who is well-known at the theater for his amazing piano solos, will sing and play "Piano Man."

"Then the show pulls the characters out from the song, like the bartender, the real estate novelist and the waitress and they sing songs in character," Gotwalt explains. "Billy Joel is more of a storyteller and with his songs, there will be more acting involved. That's a little different from what we usually do here."

Among his songs featured in the show will be "Just the Way You Are," "We Didn't Start the Fire," and "The River of Dreams," among many others.

"Elton is more of a free-for-all," Gotwalt says. "He's more eccentric. The set is completely different. It's a big changeover for the tech crew during intermission. We've got it down to 12 minutes, which is perfect."

The show will highlight all of Elton's different looks.

"It's a lot more garish, with swags and chiffon," Gotwalt says.

And don't forget those crazy shoes and even crazier glasses.

Songs will include "Candle in the Wind," "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," and "Philadelphia Freedom."

Favorites like Michelle Mishler, Michael Minor, Wess Cooke and Samantha and Todd Mitchell are back, along with newcomers Angela Birchett, Melanie Gaskins, Andy Mills and Travis Patton.

 "It's a small but mighty cast," says Gotwalt, who has been with the American Music Theatre since it opened in the spring of 1997.

"This year is interesting. We've got three different shows in a shorter period of time and we've got all new directors," Gotwalt says.

"Rocketmen" was created, directed and choreographed by Andrea McCormick and Carl Rajotte, both of whom performed in American Music Theatre shows in the past.

They focused on the two superstars' number one hits from the past 30 years.

"The music is the soundtrack of our lives," McCormick says.

"Rocketmen"

Opens Fri.

Cont. through June 6

Various days and times

$37 adults

$18.50 children under 18

American Music Theatre

2425 Lincoln Highway East

397-7700
www.amtshows.com