Lerner and Loewe’s Camelot opens March 8 in the McGaw Theatre, produced by the Berea College Theatre Laboratory. This mythically enchanting musical is a joint endeavor between the Music Department and Theatre Laboratory, marking the first musical performed by the Theatre in over a decade.

While the story of Camelot, with the tragic triangle of Arthur, Lancelot and Guenevere and the brave Knights of the Round Table, is an interesting story in itself, the stories of the director, Albert J. DeGiacomo, and musical director, Stephen Bolster are just as amazing. These two collaborators share very similar pasts.

The Doctors DeGiacomo and Bolster met at Berea College over four years ago after Dr. DeGiacomo was hired into the English and Theatre Department. On a trip to Cleveland for fine arts faculty and students, these two talented professors became well acquainted, discovering their mutual pasts, amazed at their coincidental meeting in Berea.

Both men are fifty-one years old; both men also come from Boston suburbs where it just so happened that they lived approximately twenty minutes apart. Both Bostonians graduated from high school and college in the same year and went on to pursue successful teaching careers.

On their trip to Cleveland four years ago, they discovered mutual interests with their students. Dr. Bolster conducts the Concert Choir, and they discovered that many of Dr. DeGiacomo’s theatre students are members of the choir. Both men share a love for musical theatre and discussed the possibility of collaborating on a joint musical project. The big question was which musical to produce. After months of deliberation and research, it was decided that Camelot would best fit the bill, taking into consideration the actors and voices available.

But their similarities do not end there. Both professors share a mutual history with this unique musical. Dr. Bolster played the role of Lancelot during his junior year in high school. Dr. DeGiacomo directed Camelot while teaching high school. Each brought to the table ideas of how best to go about the rehearsal process and what strategies would be most effective in working together.

Dr. DeGiacomo, when asked about directing a musical said it is “like directing a three-ring circus.” The process of Camelot can be broken down into phases. Phase one blocking the actors’ scenes and teaching the ensemble both chorus and dance numbers. Phase two is combining those elements. Phase three is the running, refining, and the addition of the many technical elements. With these things running like a well-oiled machine, Camelot should truly provide a performance to remember.

While the backgrounds and directing styles are similarl, “Dr. B. and Dr. D.” (as they are affectionately called by the students) are also said to act just alike, including trading mannerisms. It is amazing that two people so close - intellectually and geographically - met here at Berea for the first time. Certainly our community is the richer.

Camelot opens March 8 and runs March 9 and 13-16. All performances are at 8 p.m. in the McGaw Theatre of the Jelkyl Drama Center at Berea College. Reservations are strongly suggested and can be made by calling the box office at (859) 985 3478 Monday through Friday, 1-5 p.m.