CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. (October 2012)—"The Grand Room," the fourth original musical with book, music and lyrics by College of Arts and Sciences senior Patrick Lazour and his brother Daniel, will premiere at Boston College with performances by the Dramatics Society and Contemporary Theatre in Bonn Studio Theater Nov. 1-3.

Directed by Sarah Goldstein '13, "The Grand Room" follows a wealthy, isolated family living on Cape Cod during the turbulent years of the Great Depression.

"Ignorant of the societal problems facing their nation, they live a sheltered life of materialism, false joy and secrecy," explained Lazour, a theater and political science double major who wrote the lyrics to his brother's score, and co-wrote the book. "As the world falls apart around them, so does their family façade."

The Lazour brothers' three previous musicals, "Tribulations of the Millionaire," also set around the time of the Great Depression, "Robynn McCree," about Irish immigrants struggling to find work in early 20th-century Boston, and "Affairs of a French Afternoon," set in the court of French King Louis XVI, were performed over the past three years at the Calliope Theatre in their hometown of Boylston, Mass.

Their ideas usually begin with a song by Daniel, Lazour said, which sets the tone for the show.

"Daniel and I have always been interested in history, and we love to take major events and create characters that reflect the era," said Lazour. "'Affairs of a French Afternoon,' which is based in revolutionary France, and 'Robynn McCree' which is set in turn-of-the-century South Boston, both contain characters that, though fictional, have an effect on the moments of history."

"The Grand Room" is a departure for the team, in that the characters do not have a direct effect on historical events. "We were interested in writing a show about a wealthy family who is dealing with a small tragedy in a country that is facing something so much bigger," Lazour said. "That dichotomy attracted us."

The opportunity to workshop their latest musical with the Dramatics Society and Contemporary Theater prompted the brothers to choose BC for this premiere. In particular, they welcome the opportunity to work with peers but also to get feedback from faculty and the wider BC community.

"It's all in an effort to work in different spaces and become better writers," said Lazour, who hopes to move to New York City after graduation and continue writing with his brother, now studying at Columbia University. "We are very interested in continuing to write musicals and hopefully—with much hard work—make it into a career."

Director: Sarah Goldstein '13. Musical director: Steve Bass '11. Cast: Sarah Mass '15, Billy McEntee '14, Joe Meade '15, Dustin Pazar '15, Joe Manning '15, Tory Berner '14. All performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Robsham Theater Box Office

—Office of News & Public Affairs