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Stage is set for Dean Fest events
BY SEAN F. DRISCOLL
It starts with a young James Dean being led to a dance class by his mother. It ends with the actor's untimely death on a California highway.
Although some dances may be a bit modern, and the story necessarily compresses some elements of Dean's life, this weekend's show The King of Cool: A Tribute to James Dean takes a historically faithful look at the young actor who has become a local icon and worldwide legend.
The Community School of the Arts has created the show, and its executive director, Mark Fauser, is directing, writing and producing.
But Fauser said the research for the script didn't come exclusively from him - the children who auditioned had to gather some of their own historical information for their performances.
"They had to go to the museum, get books and start studying," he said. "That's what appeals to me, when kids are writing and creating their own thing."
As the actors worked on the show, they began to morph into the characters they play, Fauser said.
This is no truer than for Jason North, who plays the adult James Dean.
North said he spent weeks preparing for his audition by reading about Dean and watching his movies. After getting the part, he spent a little bit of time with Dean every day, even if just for a few minutes, to get into character.
"I didn't know a lot about him before, but I've started to understand why he's such a big attraction, especially in the area," North said. "I've really grown to appreciate him."
Todd Syswerda, a professor of music theory and composition at Indiana Wesleyan University, composed five original songs and original score for the show.
He, too, paid particular attention to history when putting pen to paper for the show's music.
"Mark and I sat down and decided what kind of story we were trying to tell," he said. "We based a lot of it off of different documentaries and biographies. Once we got a rough thought, then I just started playing with things.
"So much of it is, if you find the emotion you want to get across, how does that sound?" Syswerda said. "That's what I worked on, and we made it fit."
Originally published 06-02-2005
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