There are many ways to reveal one’s life story to an audience. But for senior Charlie Johnson, a one-act show seemed the most appealing.

With the help of friends and faculty, Johnson has been working on his one-man show, “Charlie Johnson: A Step in the Right Direction,” throughout the year before it hits the stage in May.

[box]Charlie Johnson: A Step in the Right Direction

When: May 1 and 2, 7:30 p.m. Where: Black Box Theatre[/box]

While working at Flat Rock Playhouse in Asheville during the summer, Johnson began thinking he could do a one-man show at Elon.

The semi-autobiographical performance that results is a musical journey through Johnson’s life. It begins with the day he was born and ends with his graduation from college and subsequent life in New York. Other important milestones include arriving at college and coming out of the closet to his friends and family.

Johnson went through dozens of songs to find the ones that fit him best. Some songs date as far back as 1917, but he said his music choices will cover a wide range of material.

There will only be a stool on stage during the show because Johnson said he enjoys the small, personal feel the Black Box Theatre will give the audience.

“I didn’t want it to be lavish and too glitzy because it’s me and I’m not hiding behind any character here,” Johnson said. “It’s my life. I think if it was too costume-y and too set-y, it would lose some of that personal stuff.”

Senior Adam Kaplan said Johnson is unlike anybody he has ever met before, and he expects the show to be similar in nature.

“I can tell you that Charlie is not your average performer,” Kaplan said. “He takes risks and makes choices. Even if you don't know Charlie, it will certainly be a fun and silly, yet touching night in the theater. I wouldn't miss this for the world.”

Johnson is currently trying to piece two acts together. He has started stumble-throughs, which are the first few runs of the full performance, and is practicing alternating between singing and talking with the audience.

“It’s the idea that the song comes out of what I’m saying and is pertinent and tells the story just as much as my dialogue does,” Johnson said.

Some of Johnson’s song choices are ones that he simply likes to sing, while others stem from different aspects of the play. He aims to make all of his songs relevant to the story he will share.

The title of the show is reflective of Johnson’s life as well. He said he has made mistakes and has regrets in his life, but is taking steps in the right direction.

“I don’t know exactly where that is going to take me yet, but it’s going in the right way, I feel,” Johnson said.

He said he hopes the audience will see how everyone is on the same track and how his show is a single version of an existence.

“I think people will realize that, as specific as my personal journey is, at the end of the day we’re sort of all the same, aren’t we?” Johnson said. “We’re all just looking for love, for friends, for fulfillment.”

Johnson’s show will not only be full of serious contemplation. It will also be entertaining and fun to watch, he said.

But Johnson said he also underestimated the challenge of creating a one-man show. Through the process, he has grown appreciative of what other performers do just so he can be on stage. He said he hopes people enjoy his performance, no matter how it turns out.

[quote]At the end of the day we’re sort of all the same, aren’t we? We’re all just looking for love, for friends, for fulfillment. –Charlie Johnson, senior music theater major[/quote]

“One way or another, this will be a night in the theater you won’t forget,” Johnson said. “I don’t know which way, but it will be a night you won’t forget.”

Senior Matt Meigs said he has learned a lot from Johnson after living with him for three years. He has learned how to accept himself for every flaw and is trying to learn Johnson’s humor and vocal techniques, Meigs said.

“Charlie's talents are out of this world,” he said. “If he means for the audience to be entertained, they'll never want to leave the theater.”

“Charlie Johnson: A Step in the Right Direction” will be held May 1 and 2 in the Black Box Theatre.