The Hult Center is hosting a double dose of ACE this weekend.
The Actor’s Cabaret of Eugene is presenting two of its popular musicals, “Breaking Up is Hard to Do” and “Ring of Fire,” in the Hult’s Soreng theater.
Director Joe Zingo said the two musicals best represent the company’s diversity.
“We tried to pick shows that typify different sectors of the community and really speak to the essence of Eugene,” he said.
“Breaking Up” and “Ring of Fire” have both been very successful at ACE’s theater, which has been located at 10th Avenue and Willamette Street for 16 years.
“Ring of Fire” played for six weeks and sold out every show, which is one of the reasons ACE decided to take it to the Hult.
The show is a biographic musical that features 11 performers and chronologically explores the songbook of Johnny Cash.
Zingo said each performer assumes the role of Cash but it’s his music that is the main character.
ACE at the Hult
| WHAT: | “Breaking Up is Hard to Do” 8 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. on Saturday |
| WHAT: | “Ring of Fire” 8 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday |
| WHERE: | Soreng Theater, Hult Center for the Performing Arts |
| TICKETS: | $22 to $25 per show, with discounts for seniors and youth. $35 for both shows. |
Zingo describes “Ring of Fire” as heavy and somber – the opposite of “Breaking Up.”
“Breaking Up” is a jukebox musical based on the songbook of Neil Sedaka.
Zingo said the show is “fun, cute, light and fluffy” and audiences have been surprised by Sedaka’s musical range.
“He’s sort of like the Madonna of his generation,” Zingo said.
“He had nowhere near the stardom but he constantly changed and developed his music into a different sound.”
The two shows may differ in tone but they feature five of the same actors.
Zingo said the audience will not be able to recognize them based on their singing or acting.
“Our company is a diverse one. We would prefer people to think: ‘No matter what they do, they do it well,’” he said.
Producer Jim Roberts said ACE and the Hult have had a long working relationship. The Actor’s Cabaret has performed 14 shows at the Hult and in the future, it would like to be a more permanent part of the venue.
“We were the first theater company in Eugene to have a musical at the Hult,” Roberts said.
“We’re working on becoming a resident company there but to do so, we must generate a certain amount of income and have so many performances.”
Performing at the Hult definitely has its benefits.
ACE fans can expect much larger sets and a huge sound.
Both shows have very tight production and are fast-paced.
Zingo said, “None of my shows ever lag. An hour of our work seems like 15 to 20 minutes.”
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