Spotlight: Standby at the Towle Theatre

Crazy seeing a poster hanging from a streetlight.

"Five strangers who meet at the airport, but on standby, for what is to them unknown reasons, at least for all but one. They become a bit perturbed, not knowing how they got there, let alone why they are there. Wouldn't you?

We know, or at least we can feel it at times, the connection we have with other people. You may chalk it up to coincidence, happenstance, fate. If it keeps staring you in the face, you begin thinking more about it. Attempting to resolve that gut feeling of why.

Then, when you find the focus is really on you, not them, your first reaction is denial. When you figure it all out, you become at ease, perhaps understanding, willing to accept. However, only two can leave the airport, so says Peter. All those on Standby, need to decide which two get to leave. The other's fate lies with Peter.

Believe it or not (and you will know why I say this after you see this musical), this musical is enjoyable. The characters pull at your heart. The expose themselves, and bring out many feelings of life from within us. So bring your tissues . . ."  Weslie Bushby

---

---

Production Photos by Weslie Bushby

"Standby was great. I teared up a little and that's very hard for me to do. The cast was excellent. I loved how it dealt with issues that aren't easy to deal with. "

---

---

---

"The Towle Theater is one of the best-kept secrets of northwest Indiana.  Their summer production, the Midwest premiere of “Standby”, is as good, if not better than many of the shows I see in Chicago.  It blew me away, it’s that good!  Kudos to Director Jeff Casey, I used at least 4 tissues while watching “Standby”. 

​ Hurry and get your tickets, “Standby” closes July 23rd.  4 BIG Spotlights

---

---

Four people are trapped in a place that looks an awful lot like an old-fashioned airport waiting area.  There are doors that won’t open and windows that show nothing outside.  They are all angry, trying to figure out how they got here.  They introduce themselves to each other as Richard (Kevin Bellamy), an engineer/inventor, Andrew (Quinn Rigg), a student, Samantha (Natalie Rae, who lost her entire family in a plane crash and Jonathan (Nate Strain), a soldier suffering with guilt and PTSD.
​
Suddenly, the lights go out and a loud klaxon starts blaring.  When the lights come back, they see the door closing behind another person.  Jonathan immediately recognizes Cynthia (Sarah Jean Mergener), his girl friend, who won’t/can’t say anything about what’s out there.

---

The next time the lights go out and the klaxon blares, they’re joined by a man who says his name is Peter (Dwayne Everett).  Peter tells them that two will be leaving here – wherever here is – and they have to figure it out, and he leaves. Somehow their lives are connected and they have to figure out the connection before they can move on.

---

---

---

The music is haunting – with songs like “Waiting”, “Forward Motion”, “Left Behind”, “Last Goodbye” and “What the H E double L”.  While I thought all the voices were amazing, I was gobsmacked by the powerful voice of newcomer, Nate Strain."- Carol Moore

---

---