‘Flavio’ brings local talents together at Piedmont

Hollywood director? Check. Spanking-new book, music and lyrics? Check. Popular local performers? Check.
All John Carden needs now for the opening of his new musical, “Fabulous Flavio,” is an audience. From Thursday through April 11, he’ll get that final piece of the puzzle in place in the V. Earl Dickinson Building.
The singer and actor finished his original musical in time to help Piedmont Virginia Community College mark the 25th anniversary of its theater program, and Carden praised the “community college spirit” as an important component in getting the labor of love from the page to the stage.
“A lot of times, when I sit and watch the talent, I get a lump in my throat,” Carden said. “When you see that someone is willing to invest the time and be so gracious, it’s profound.”
Carden based his musical on Nicola Haym’s 1723 work, “Flavio Re de Lombardi.” It’s a comic retelling of the story of an Italian king who rules over a world of star-crossed lovers and feuding clans.
Raymond Austin is in the director’s chair for the musical’s inaugural production. His cast includes Christopher Celella, Kimberly Hoffacker, Ben Jamieson, Kate Lambert, Pat Owen, Alfred Vargas and Gary White in leading roles. Also performing are Seshi Campbell, Christine Pajewski, Sarah Richardson, Allison Robbins, Raymond Sanchez, Aynsley Sandridge, Anna Schneider, Deanna Sheedy and Jessica Wilbert.
The creative team includes music arranger Mary Elizabeth Forbes, scene designer Bill Hurd, costume designer Amy Goffman, lighting designer Tracie Steger-Skipper, choreographer Jessica Wilbert, producer Wendy Devere-Austin, assistant to the director Alyssa Kartheiser and stage manager Larry Hugo.
“It’s absolutely the best talent Charlottesville has to offer,” Carden said. “It’s a dream team.”
Austin brings years of experience from his busy international career as an actor, stuntman, director, producer, writer and novelist. Audiences have seen him over the years in “Highway Patrol,” “Peter Gunn,” Have Gun Will Travel,” “The Saint” and “The Avengers,” among other shows.
“This is a man who directed ‘Magnum, P.I.,’ ’’ Carden said. “He came on board right away.
“He’s very, very giving. He demands the best that his actors can give him. He has been a wonderful mentor to me.”
Carden didn’t want to give too much away, but he said that audience members should keep in mind that Austin is particularly gifted when it comes to directing fencing scenes.
It’s also a family-friendly affair, which isn’t always the case when star-crossed lovers and fencing are involved.
“It is definitely a family story,” Carden said. “If a child is able to sit through a film in a cinema, they’re probably able to sit through a matinee. Probably it’s not for little tiny children. There’s nothing in it that’s inappropriate.”
To get a feel for the show, just visit YouTube and look for Flavio Commercial 1 and Flavio Commercial 2. Carden said it’s also a good opportunity for folks who haven’t attended a production in the Dickinson to “see what the PVCC arts program is all about.”
Tickets are $10, $8 for students and seniors. Get them at the PVCC box office two hours before the show, or pick them up ahead of time at Sidetracks, Plan 9 and the PVCC cashier’s office. The box office can be reached at 961-5376.