Although the musical is named "Nine," the cast and crew of the MSU Opera Theatre production are concentrating on another number - three.
That's because Federico Fellini's show takes the audience through the mind of Italian filmmaker Guido Contini, an alias for Fellini, as he jumps from the world of fantasy to flashback and reality.
Hence, director and producer Melanie Helton said continuity will be the cast's key to success, as it performs at the Fairchild Theatre on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
"The difficult part of the show is that it exists on three planes of existence," Helton said. "There's this tenuous reality, definite fantasy and memory. (Fellini's) grasp on reality himself is not that strong - he doesn't need it to be. He sort of lives in this fantasy world, as does Guido."
Guido, played by music education senior John Bragle, is entrenched in a midlife crisis. The filmmaker heads to a spa in Venice to find solace, but his wife hates him and all the memories of the 24 women from Guido's life seem to be converging at one time.
That's a lot of women, but Helton said that was one of her goals when picking the show.
"I think we're here to provide opportunities for students," Helton said, adding that 50 people auditioned in September. "So, I like to do at least one show a year where people who normally wouldn't have the lead will have a moment to shine."
Another difference from other opera theatre shows is that "Nine" does not focus on classical music, which Helton said can add to a performer's array of experience.
Lindsay Kesselman, a vocal performance and music education junior who plays Guido's mistress Claudia Nardi, is getting a new experience. She said it has been difficult adjusting to the pop-heavy score, especially since she is classically trained.
But practice makes perfect, Kesselman said, adding that she has auditioned for several shows before, but this is her first time getting a lead. And the whole acting experience is something she will not forget.
"It's something that gives me a huge rush," Kesselman said. "There's something really unique about putting a show on like this with all the unique talents each person brings."
Bragle said the cast is close-knit and connected to the music, mainly because it is so complex when compared to other musicals.
"The music is fabulously written," Bragle said. "It's challenging for us as singers. Dramatically, it's challenging for everyone. We're all the type of people, when faced with a challenge, we get very intrigued and motivated."
Helton and Kesselman said many of the songs are chorus-friendly, giving each member a moment to shine. Helton said Fellini has some sexy songs that are intertwined with "genre" songs.
One such genre song is the can-can number, "Germans At the Spa," which cannot be seen in the Broadway version.
Regarding the costumes, some are drawn from the actors' closets, some from the MSU Department of Theatre and some were purchased. Of course, there were some foibles making sure the actors would not be naked on stage.
Helton reminisced how she used her MSU purchasing card to buy some costumes, but was "caught" by creditors who wondered why she was making purchases at Victoria's Secret and Discount Shoe Warehouse.
But it all worked out in the end for Helton.
"I'm probably one of the few MSU professors that can legitimately make Victoria's Secret purchases on her MSU purchasing card," Helton jokingly said.
