The AEPi fraternity house at the University of Washington is the scene for a new musical written and produced by Jewish college students from Seattle. Jacob Bloom and Leeran Raphaely, second year students at UW, came up with the idea and co-wrote the script. Their respective talents complement each other. Raphaely has been playing piano since the age of three. He partakes in all aspects of music, from composing to playing. Bloom has written a few television shows, a movie script, and assisted an acting troupe. But to create their vision, they needed some help. Once the basic idea had been hashed out, they began recruiting other students for the production team.
Raphaely already had a connection with Michael Fishman, a student at Bellevue College. Fishman provided the camera work for another Raphaely produced musical back in 2009. He quickly agreed to come on board as director/camera man. Rounding out the production team was high school senior Sten Olson, who helped out as a production assistant.
With a current working title of Frat: The Musical, the story follows two high school seniors as they have a coming of age experience at their first frat party. It all starts with Remy, a cocky and suave “popular guy.” In hopes of looking cool by comparison, Remy invites Ned, a photo shop-obsessed nerd, to come along to the party. However, despite Remy’s best efforts, the night does not go as planned. In Bloom’s words, “There is singing, dancing, and all-around tomfoolery as both Ned and Remy learn about themselves from the least likely of places: a frat.”
True to the story line, the majority of the project was filmed on location at AEPi. Getting access to the set was no problem because Bloom is a member of the fraternity. Besides providing a convenient back drop, the frat provided some man power as well; many of the small speaking parts are played by AEPi members. And while Ned and Remy may not find the frat life enjoyable, Bloom has a different opinion. “No matter what activity we are partaking in…I am always having a good time. I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” he said. And while he admits that his personal experiences were not quite like Ned or Remy’s, he still hopes “that most of the people who watch it will connect with one character or the other.”
The musical is now finished and will be premiering soon at a theater in the University District of Seattle. After the premiere, it will be posted on Youtube in a series of four episodes. I will post the link as soon as it becomes available.
