Springboro grad’s acting takes on various roles

When you’re serious about musical theater, you attend the only independent-standing school of musical theatre in the country. Springboro 2008 graduate Andrew Koslow just finished his freshman year at the Weitzenhoffer School of Musical Theatre, University of Oklahoma. The school keeps its student roster to under 55; only top theatre students are admitted into this exclusive program. Koslow’s leading theatrical roles at Springboro and his year-round involvement with the Muse Machine gave him a leg up on the competition. He won the starring role of Ren McCormack in ‘‘Footloose’’ his sophomore year. That pivotal role was a deciding factor in making musical theatre his vocation in life. He followed that star turn his junior year as the Scarecrow in “The Wiz.”

“Those two parts helped me stretch as a performer. I had to rely on a lot of people and they had to rely on me,” said Koslow. “It taught me a lot about the process and the amount of teamwork that’s needed to put together a production.”

That experience served him well at Weitzenhoffer and the University of Oklahoma’s School of Drama. He was cast in the current revival choreography of “Chicago” in his first semester in musical theatre. By second semester, he had already won a lead role for the School of Drama as the writer in Neil Simon’s “The Good Doctor.”

His most recent lead role can be seen locally. He is currently in rehearsals for the part of Emile de Becque, a French plantation owner in “South Pacific.” It’s part of Beavercreek High School’s Summer on Stage program. Performances are 7:30 p.m. at the Beavercreek High School Auditorium, 2660 Dayton-Xenia Road, on July 30, 31, and Aug. 1. Tickets cost $8 for adults and $6 for senior citizens and students, will be available at the door.

“This role is actually something that I’ve never done before. I’ve typically played the young, high school age, pop singing troublemaker,” said Koslow. “With this role, I play a man in his early forties, French, and extremely sophisticated.”

“South Pacific” is Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 1949 musical based on James A. Michener’s Pulitzer-Prize winning novel, “Tales of the South Pacific.” The story takes place on an island during World War II and deals with the issue of racism. Several musical scores from the production went on to have a life of their own, including “Some Enchanted Evening,” where Emile recalls meeting Nellie Forbush, a Navy nurse. Beavercreek’s production is directed by Darin Jolliffe-Haas.

“Playing the part of Emile is really great experience for me. I’m using part of my abilities that I haven’t had a chance to use before,” said Koslow.

That won’t be the end of his summer theater experience before he starts his sophomore year at WSMT. He will be dancing and singing in Muse Machine’s “Upon a Star” at 8 p.m. on Aug. 5-6 at the Victoria Theatre in Dayton. This will be Koslow’s ninth appearance in a Muse production. As of this writing, others from Springboro in the production include Koslow’s sister Amanda, Bradley Farmer, Jordan Knecht, Korey Harlow, Rachel Tepe, Samantha Daigle, and Kathryn Klens. The show is a musical revue of Disney songs.

Contact this reporter at (937) 748-3487 or PamDillon@woh.rr.com.

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Pamela Dillon