Chip's goal is to see all of the sites the Big Apple has to offer while he relies on an outdated guidebook lent to him by his father. Ozzie, on the other hand, wants to meet as many city girls as possible.
Finally, Gabey only has eyes for one special girl, Miss Turnstiles.
The sailors devote their day to searching the streets of New York for the woman of Gabey's dreams. In the process, Chip and Ozzie find their own "day-long loves," said Jill Sesso (freshman-theatre) who plays Hildi, a street-smart taxicab driver Chip can't resist.
"It's a musical comedy," Sesso said. "It's just about love and how difficult it can be."
Leonard Bernstein wrote the original score for the musical, which was adapted from the ballet Fancy Free.
The show was then turned into what would become a classic movie starring Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra and featuring the well-known song "New York, New York."
It was the music that originally drew Michael Jinbo, the Nittany Valley Symphony's director, to On the Town.
"This is the third year in a row that the Nittany Valley Symphony has done something like this," he said. "I was familiar with Leonard Bernstein's music, which is wonderful, and when I got familiar with the book I thought that it would be a fun show to do for both the cast and the orchestra."
On the Town is a show for people who love New York. It was written by all New Yorkers and is set in New York City during World War II. In fact, the writers originally described the show as a love letter to New York City, Jinbo said.
"It was a New York of a more innocent time, even in the shadow of war," he said. "It's kind of a slice of life from that time. It captures the romance of that era where people were falling in love and men were going away to war."
The characteristic that sets this show apart from previous productions by the Nittany Valley Symphony is the cast, which is predominantly made up of students.
"There are a handful of community members, but most of the cast are Penn State theatre majors," said Tyler Rutt (freshman-theatre), a member of the ensemble.
Jinbo said he believes this is because students were more attracted to this type of show.
"In the past, there was a more equal distribution between community members and students," he said. "Most of this cast is Penn State students. It's a distinctive show."
The director and cast alike are pleased with the way the show is coming along and they feel that it is a show that both students and community members will enjoy.
"There is a lot of vocal talent in the show and it is coming together really well," Sesso said. "I think that it will be well received."
