Iowa Summer Rep will continue its rich history of summer play production with a touring production of Dorothy Marcic’s Respect: A Musical Journey of Women.
Respect will be on tour June 14-27 throughout the state of Iowa while the University of Iowa Theatre Building is closed for major renovations.
This new musical, written and created by Dorothy Marcic, tells the journey of women using Top 40 music from songs like “Someone to Watch Over Me” to “I Will Survive.” Marcic combines excerpts of more than 60 songs with women’s stories about finding dreams, lost love, relationship issues, entering the workforce, gaining independence, and more.
From the codependence of “I Will Follow Him” to the anger of “These Boots are Made for Walking” to the cynicism of “What's Love Got to Do With It,” and finally to the strength of “Hero,” this show goes beyond just a story worth telling.
For more than the first half of the last century, the voice of women in Top 40 popular music has been one of neediness and dependency. I'll do anything for you; just be my baby, even if you're no good and treat me bad; just LOVE me and I'll stand by my man. By the end of the century, things were quite different. Popular music had come far enough so that women looked for the hero within themselves, were urged to get on their feet and make it happen, and ready to stand on her own with or without a man. Marcic created this musical based on her book, Respect: Women and Popular Music, where she analyzed all Top 40 female song lyrics since 1900. (Learn more here.)
“This show is crammed full of great Top 40 pop hits, sung by our fabulous cast,” says director Eric Forsythe, head of the MFA directing program at the UI. “It's toe-tapping, hum-along, and maybe sing-along fun for everyone. I mean: ‘Can't Help Lovin’ Dat Man,’ ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,’ ‘Tammy,’ ‘I am Woman,’ ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,’ ‘I Will Survive,’ and ‘RESPECT!’ Great!”
The University of Iowa’s professional repertory theater company, Iowa Summer Rep, represents a rich tradition of nearly a century of summer theater at the UI. Beginning with Edward C. Mabie’s arrival on campus in 1920, summer play production became a regular feature. While many things have changed in the rich history of summer play production, Iowa Summer Rep is proud to continue this tradition with a touring production this summer.
“Over the 90-plus years of Iowa Summer Rep's journey, we've focused on bringing quality summer theater—by turns entertaining, provocative, gripping, and delightful—to Iowa audiences,” says Forsythe. “This year, we're taking the show on the road to Iowa communities throughout the state. If you've not been able to come to Iowa City to see our work for yourself, here's your chance! Respect is the perfect show for a date or family fun: there's something here for everyone.”
Where’s the tour heading?
Respect: A Musical Journey of Women will be on tour at the locations listed below. For information regarding each performance, please contact the venue directly.
Cedar Rapids
Saturday, June 14, 8 p.m.
CSPS Hall (Legion Arts), 1103 Third St. SE, 319-364-1580
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Waterloo
Thursday, June 19, 7 p.m.
Hawkeye Community College, Tama Hall, 1501 East Orange Rd., 319-296-2320
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Burlington
Friday, June 20, 7 p.m.
Burlington Capitol Theater, 211 North Third St., 319-237-1099
Toledo
Saturday, June 21, 2 p.m.
Wieting Theatre, 101 South Church Street, 641-484-4440
Maquoketa
Sunday, June 22 at 2 p.m.
Maquoketa Art Experience, Ohnward Fine Arts Center, 1215 East Platt St., 563-652-9815
Greenfield
Tuesday, June 24, 7 p.m.
Warren Cultural Center, 154 Public Square, 641-343-7337
Washington
Wednesday, June 25, 7 p.m.
Washington Community Center, 2227 250th St., 319-461-8361 (suggested donation: $5)
Ottumwa
Friday, June 27, 7:30 p.m.
Indian Hills Community College, St. John Auditorium, 524 Grandview Ave., 641-683-5144
This Iowa Summer Rep touring production is made possible by the UI Department of Theatre Arts in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Respect: A Musical Journey of Women is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to attend any of these performances, contact the phone numbers listed in the story above for each location in advance of the performance.