Tony-nominated musical Baby comes to CU's Schwartz Center

Lizzie (played by Amy Bravo) and Danny (played by Reed Van Dyk) share the experience of their first baby in the upcoming musical, Baby, at the Cornell Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts. Baby opens Feb. 18 with performances continuing through Feb. 28. Call 254-ARTS for tickets and information. Thomas Hoebbel

Is there anything more exciting, frightening and utterly life-changing than impending parenthood? Baby, a Tony-nominated musical coming Feb. 18 to the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, tells the heart-warming story of three couples facing this universal experience. Set on the Cornell campus in this production, the couples include the college students, barely at the beginning of their adult lives; the 30-somethings, having trouble conceiving; and the middle-aged parents whose night of unexpected passion lands them back to where they started.

Baby was written by Sybille Pearson and has a contemporary score of show-stopping songs by David Shire and Richard Maltby Jr. Baby, which made its Broadway premiere in 1983, was nominated for seven Tony Awards, including best musical and best score.

"This play is all about relationships and how things evolve as soon as someone conceives a new life -- what they think, what surprises await them," said guest director Lisa Leguillou. "We are also pleased to bring to the stage the original script that Pearson wrote, which will soon be revived on Broadway. It's a little darker but more in tune with real life." Leguillou recently worked as the assistant director for Wicked on Broadway and is an accomplished theater and film actress and choreographer. She recently appeared in Mike Nichols' highly acclaimed HBO film, "Angels in America."

Baby features a talented cast of students and Equity actors and dancers. Playing the three couples are Travis Atkinson as Nick, graduate student Anne Beggs as Pam, Amy Bravo as Lizzie, Reed Van Dyk as Danny, and Resident Professional Teaching Associates Marc Moritz as Alan and Sarah K. Chalmers as Arlene.

Baby is being designed by guest scenic designer Tammy Honesty, as well as Schwartz Center in-house designers Sarah Bernstein (costumes), Ford Sellers (lighting) and Dan Hall (sound and music).

Baby opens Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 8 p.m. with evening performances continuing Feb. 19-22 and Feb. 25-28. A discussion with the cast and production staff will follow the Feb. 26 performance. Matinees are being offered at 2 p.m. Feb. 22 and 28. Tickets are $8 (students/seniors) and $10 (general) in advance. For tickets and information, call or visit the box office in the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, 430 College Ave., 12:30-5:30 p.m., weekdays, or one hour before the show; 254-ARTS.