For its 125th anniversary, the Triangle Club is looking back to ancient times
By Keith Loria
From the Princeton Packet
To commemorate the 125th anniversary of Princeton’s Triangle Club, the organization will host its new Triangle fall show called “Greece’d Lightning!” on Nov. 18 and also present a full weekend of not-to-be-missed activities.
“‘Greece’d Lightning!’ is about Ancient Greece, but there will be sketches and songs that fall outside the realm of the story, all of which are really funny,” says Alex Daniels, co-vice president of the Triangle Club. “Triangle is renowned for our musical comedy and we produce a new show every year. We started writing this in late April and worked on it during the summer and gearing up for it now.”
Of course, the show will follow Triangle tradition and feature an all-male kick line. Lily Lesser, co-vice president, adds the performance is one that will leave audiences in tears ((of laughter) and awe-struck.
“Everything about the show is incredible,” she says. “We have so many wonderful and talented people involved, the music is beautiful and it’s very funny. Even if you don’t know anything about Greek mythology or only know a little bit from high school, it’s accessible to everyone.”
The celebration includes more than just the show and alumnus from the Triangle Club’s long history will be back all weekend to take part in events.
“We’re envisioning it as a complete weekend where people are coming out and can take part in lots of different events throughout the three days,” Ms. Lesser says. “We expect this to be the largest gathering of Triangle Alumni ever.”
The activities kick off at 2:30 p.m., Friday with “A Lotta Kicks: 125 Years of the Triangle Club” in the Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library. The event will feature a retrospective of the history of the club and refreshments will be served.
“On Friday at 4 p.m., we’ll hold a panel discussion with lots of Triangle alums who have gone on to working in the entertainment business, and they will talk about how Triangle affected them,” Ms. Lesser says. “This is a great opportunity to hear their stories.”
Panelists include Tony-nominated writer Douglas McGrath (“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”), Prospect Theater Company Artistic Director Cara Reichel, Broadway stage manager Alex Volckhausen and more. The event takes place in the Computer Science Lecture Hall #104.
At 8 p.m. “Greece’d Lightning” is staged at the McCarter Theatre, and follows a can-do baker from Greece’s smallest city-state who tries to win the world’s first-ever Olympics, but her sponsor is the Ruler of the Dead, she’s falling for Zeus’s athlete, and sports haven’t even been invented yet.
Immediately after the show, a post-show reception featuring alumni performances will be held until midnight.
“This is guaranteed to be one of the biggest Triangle opening night parties in history,” Mr. Daniels says. “People will be gathering around the piano performing some of Triangle’s greatest hits from the past and present.”
On Saturday, Nov. 19, the day starts off with a 10:30 a.m. memorial service at the University Chapel, where the names of former members who have died will be read off.
At 11:45, there’s a tailgate for the football game against Dartmouth at Upper Strubing Field, where the alumni is expected to do some performances. At 1 p.m., those assembled will march to Princeton Stadium together to root on the Tigers.
“Don’t be surprised to see a mini kick-line pop up,” Ms. Lesser says. “People will sing old songs and reminisce. It’s going to be a great time.”
Another panel discussion will be held at 4 p.m. at the McCarter Theater, with undergrads and current Triangle members talking about how this year’s show came about. This is followed by a Gala Dinner Dance at the Hyatt Regency from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
On Sunday, a brunch honoring classes from 1950 to 2006 will be held starting at 10:30 a.m. in the Prospect House and impromptu performances are expected from a number of alumni.
The weekend caps off at 1 p.m., with “Where There’s A Song 2016” at McCarter Theater, with a show featuring members of the original casts and an epic “Mother of AllTriangle Overtures.”
“When you think about the history of musical theater in Princeton, you have to start with the Triangle Club. At 125 years, we are the roots of performing arts on campus,” Mr. Daniels says. “We continue to be the only organization that produces a full-length musical every year that also goes on tour. We have an important place in history.”
Princeton Triangle Club will present “Greece’d Lightning” at McCarter Theatre, 91 University Place, Princeton, Nov. 18, 8 p.m., Nov. 19, 7 p.m. The 125th Anniversary Alumni Show will be performed Nov. 20, 1 p.m. For tickets and information, go to mccarter.org or call 609-258-2787.
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