First-Look Presentation Part requiem, part lifesaving drill, The Good Swimmer is a new music-theatre piece set entirely on a surf beach. The piece translates the kinship relationships of a Greek tragedy to a family of lifeguards during the early days of the Vietnam War. Ripping apart found texts (archaic field guides, historical quotations, defunct manuals) to create song lyrics, The Good Swimmer pits the ‘common good’ against the primacy of kinship as a sister opposes a monument to be built in her beloved brother’s memory. The young singers who make up the Lifeguard Chorus reflect the somber truth that a majority of the GIs lost in Vietnam would never reach their 22nd birthday. Music by Heidi Rodewald Libretto/Lyrics by Donna Di Novelli Music Co-Direction by Marc Doten and Heidi Rodewald Directed by Kevin Newbury Choreographer: Chloe Treat in collaboration with Sam Pinkleton Scenic Design: Victoria "Vita" Tzykun Costume Design: David C. Woolard Lighting Design: Eric Southern Sound Design: Brandon Walcott Video Designer: Greg Emetaz Music Orchestrations and Arrangements: Heidi Rodewald, Marc Doten, and Mike McGinnis Stage Manager: Marisa Levy Casting Director: Stephanie Klapper Cast: Chase Crandell | Parker Drown | Alex Gibson | Damon J Gillespie | Dante Jeanfelix | Storm Lever | Taylor Noble | Mackenzie Orr | Gil Perez-Abraham Jr. | Andrew Harrison Way Band members include: Brad Mulholland | Marty Beller | David Driver | Jeff Hermanson | Dana Lyn | Dan Miller | Heidi Rodewald Additional Credits: Assistant Director: James Matthew Daniel Associate Lighting Designer: Will Delorm Video Programmer: Alex West Assistant Stage Manager: Joe Fernandez Board Operator: Heather Arnson Developed with the support of the National Musical Theater Conference at the O'Neill Center, Bowdoin College, and the Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA. Co-commissioned by Jill Steinberg and W. Michael & Christine Garner. At HERE Mainstage Photo by Barbara Helgason Show run time:70 minutes Post-Performance Conversation will follow the January 14 show. - See more at: http://prototypefestival.org/show/the-good-swimmer/#sthash.dywfV9cj.dpuf