UNC senior hopes music thesis will leave people ‘Spellbound’

Audiences who come see “Spellbound!” might be bewitched.

The show — the plot of which centers on a witch’s search for the perfect man — was created as a senior thesis project by Ben Boecker for UNC’s music department.

The final reading of the piece will be performed Sunday as a workshop rather than a full production — sets and costumes won’t be featured.

Boecker — who is the executive production director of student musical theater group Pauper Players — wrote the dialogue and composed the music for the show.

“Spellbound!” is the first play he has written.

“I am just in awe of this thing he has created,” said senior Stephanie Linas, a cast member and producing director for student company LAB! Theatre.

“It’s really clever what he’s done and extremely impressive.”

Boecker said creating the piece has made him a stronger, more well-rounded artist.

“My thesis bridges the gap between multiple disciplines, challenging me not only to deliver in areas of strength, but also to improve in areas where I have less experience,” he said.

Creating the play required Boecker to write the music, lyrics, and dialogue, as well as orchestrate the music and teach the performers.

But the one-act musical comedy is not your typical fairy tale, he said.

The plot is set in modern-day New Hampshire and features a range of characters — from an evil robot named Love Machine to an extreme gardener.

“It’s a balance between reality and fantasy,” Boecker said. “There are a lot of cultural references to our modern day, and there is magic.”

Linas said the music is complex and well-written, and pays tribute to many different musical styles. She joked that Boecker has developed a minor wrist injury from playing the piano.

“He’s been working so hard,” she said. “I want to do as good a job as possible so that people can see what a phenomenal thing he has created.”

Senior Bryan Burton, the show’s director, said Boecker’s songs are catchy.

“Some of the melodies themselves get ingrained in your head, and they sound really good,” he said.

Burton said he and Boecker saw eye-to-eye during most of the creation process and chose the cast members and orchestra from among their friends.

“I am working with an incredibly talented group of people,” Boecker said. “People are able to adapt the music very quickly and get into the groove, which has been wonderful.”

Though scheduling rehearsal time has been difficult, Boecker has spent time working one-on-one with all of the actors, Burton said.

“We are all so invested because we are all so close friends,” he said. “We can easily communicate to quickly achieve the result.”

Despite time constraints, the cast has been able easily communicate and make changes, he said.

“It has been a fun process,” Boecker said.

“I love working with my stuff and seeing other people bring it to life.”

Contact the Arts Editor at arts@dailytarheel.com.