The Callbacks, a no-cut student musical theater group founded in spring 2024, will be performing an original musical titled “Hounds of Love” for their termly production this weekend. Written, directed and choreographed by Nathaniel Lopez ’29, the jukebox musical will feature songs by the English singer-songwriter and musician Kate Bush. The title of the musical comes from Bush’s 1985 studio album, “Hounds of Love.”
The musical follows Ella, played by Gianna Werle ’29, a recent college graduate as she navigates a new corporate marketing job. Grappling with self-doubt and uncertainty about her career path, Ella’s eccentric co-worker Jason, played by Aidan Lewinter ’28, helps her rekindle her passion for dance.
Lopez said he believes the story will be “important for our audience,” as college students.
“It is okay to do the thing you love — whether this is English, engineering, medical school or even the arts,” he said.
Lopez has been involved with The Callbacks since last fall, his first term on campus, when he performed in their cabaret show. Outside of The Callbacks, he has also been involved in the student-run Displaced Theatre Company and the Rude Mechanicals as an actor and sound technician.
To Lopez’s knowledge, this production is the first Kate Bush jukebox musical. Calling Bush a “mastermind of her music,” Lopez explained that her “theatrical” style — from her music videos to her costumes — inspired him to make a musical using her songs.
“I always thought that her music could act as great dance pieces,” Lopez said.
Lopez said this idea specifically began as a class assignment in his THEA 50: “Playwriting 1” class, where he started writing the show, which is currently in its fifth version.
Lopez is an experienced choreographer. Last term, he choreographed a dance for the theater department’s First Year Project showcase, and he said he has choreographed four musicals before.
Reflecting Bush’s music style, Lopez described the choreography of “Hounds of Love” as “surreal and abstract.”
Ben Killian ’29, who will be playing Ella’s dad, added that every choice is nonetheless very “intentional.”
“I think that there’s a lot of things that Nate intentionally put in for people to notice,” Killian said.
The show marks Lopez’ debut as a director. Despite initial nervousness, Lopez said he thinks that “being the playwright of the show you’re directing makes the experience much easier.”
“It is much easier for me to give direction to my cast, as I know each character’s wants and motives,” Lopez said.
He explained that the process of putting on the show involved learning about many aspects of theater-making, including “directing, holding auditions, arranging sheet music, doing a little bit of dramaturgy and so much more.”
Jussynda Burns ’29, an ensemble member in the show, said she wanted to audition for “Hounds of Love” because she “grew to miss” the theater after a hiatus from it in college.
“Theater [has] just been a big part of my life for a long time, but I kind of stopped when I was going through the college process,” she said.
Odete Coss ’29, another ensemble member, said her involvement in the show has allowed her to expand her artistic “toolbox.”
“I’m not a singer or a dancer — I’m an actor. So being able to do [those things] and seeing that I’m not bad at [them] is really awesome,” Coss said.
Moreover, Coss described being part of the fulfillment of Lopez’ vision as highly rewarding.
“I get to help make my friend’s dreams come true,” she said.
Lopez said he is looking forward to the audience seeing his innovative use of Bush’s songs.
“I think the audience will love to see how I took pre-existing Kate Bush songs and put them in the context of an entire plot,” he said.
“Hounds of Love” will be showing at the Warner Bentley Theater in the Hopkins Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. on Feb. 27 and at 1 p.m. on Feb. 28.