OCC students will get a shot at stardom like never before as they explore the life of one of baseball’s most controversial legends in the world premiere of Charlie Hu$tle.
Created by Broadway composer Neil Berg and Los Angeles screenwriter Ryan Noggle, the new musical delves into baseball icon Pete Rose, who has divided public opinion like few others in the world of sports.
Lead actors Nick Balfour and Isaac (Zeke) McFadden describe performing in the first staged production of the musical as surreal. The two are double cast as Pete Rose.
“Not many get to say they put on a future Broadway production and helped make the story come to life,” said McFadden.
So why did Berg and Noggle select a community college for its debut?
“It’s a great learning experience and incredible opportunity for young performers,” Berg said. “For us, it’s an opportunity to see the full production with set, lights, costumes and with (former Broadway actor and OCC Theatre Faculty Instructor) Jennifer Little as director, who we respect and know. Very few shows get the opportunity to be developed with a production.”
The first performance of the musical on Thursday, Nov. 14 comes just six weeks after Rose died and reignites the debate over whether baseball's all-time hits leader should still permanently be banned from Major League Baseball's Hall of Fame.
About the show and cast
Charlie Hu$tle, named after Rose’s famous nickname, is moving, frustrating, contradictory and complicated – just like the man. People love him or hate him. He is the undeniable hitting champion of baseball, beating Ty Cobb's record. But he has a lifetime ban from ever being recognized in MLB's Hall of Fame, although over 20 items of his are enshrined there.
The show will leave you pondering the questions: How do we judge our heroes? Does Rose's punishment fit his crime? Do we have double standards - do as I say, not as I do?
“He really is such a complex person,” said Balfour. “I would like the audience to see a different side of him and realize that he does have feelings, and everyone has struggles.”
Balfour, of White Lake, is appearing in his second OCC theatre production. He played William Barfee in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee last year and Prince Eric in the Lakeland High School production of The Little Mermaid.
Neither he nor McFadden knew much about baseball before getting cast as leads. They read books and watched interviews and movies to gain insight into Rose’s thoughts and mannerisms.
“It’s been really interesting to see the actual process of launching a new musical – all the times the story can change, how many times the script can be rewritten, and the step-by-step process of what it takes before the story comes to life,” said McFadden. “When you aren’t involved, you think it’s a few months and that’s it.”
Charlie Hu$tle is McFadden’s first musical at OCC. The Lake Orion resident previously participated in a vocal workshop with Stephanie D’abruzzo, who played Dory in the Finding Nemo musical in 2015. He also performed in a group at Eric Church’s concert at the Palace of Auburn Hills in 2017 and sang in a chorale setting for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s holiday concert in 2018 and 2019.
Get your tickets
Performances will be held Thursdays and Fridays, Nov. 14, 15, 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. in OCC’s Smith Theatre on the Orchard Ridge (Farmington Hills) campus. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $5 for seniors and free for OCC students, employees, alumni and retirees.
Meet the creators
Noggle (The Neighborhood, Saturday Night Live TV) began researching Charlie Hustle 11 years ago. An avid Cincinnati Reds fan who aspired to play like Rose when he was a little leaguer,
Noggle combined his desire to write a musical with a story he felt deserved a stage.
“It’s one of the most intricate, complex, debated and interesting stories in sports,
and it's never really been brought to the stage like this,” Noggle said.
Berg (The 12, Grumpy Old Men) has two loves in his life besides family and friends: writing for musical theater and baseball. He went to college to play baseball, continuing through his adult life, and always wanted to write a baseball theme musical.
Little said she is excited Berg and Noggle chose OCC to do their first staged production of this new musical.
“Our students will have the chance to work one-on-one with these theatre and film leaders and learn so much about our field,” she said.
A musical for hearing, Hard of Hearing and Deaf audiences
The College production uniquely integrates hearing actors from OCC's Theatre Program along with signing actors from OCC's Sign Language Interpreter Program, supervised by qualified mentors. The student shadow interpreters joined the show as part of a supervised clinical experience partnership between OCC’s Theatre program and the Sign Language Interpreter program.
About OCC
Oakland Community College offers nearly 100 degree and certificate programs with the resources students need to be successful and advance our community. As a top transfer institution, OCC offers one of the state’s most affordable tuition rates and flexibility in scheduling with face-to-face and online options. The College is nationally recognized for its high-demand career training with expert faculty in their fields. More than 1 million students have enrolled in the College since it opened in 1965. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu.
###
Media Contact: Marketing & Communications | 248.341.2020 | contactus@oaklandcc.edu