Music
is the motive
by Cassidy Kelley
Lights, camera, sing! The MHS Musical Theatre class will be performing the classic comedy ‘Anything Goes’. For hilarity, romance, action, a good laugh and some incredible music, this will be one production that shouldn’t be missed.
Set in the 1920s on a boat called the S.S. America, “Anything Goes” is a comedic love story between the rich, and engaged, Hope Harcourt (Soph. Abby Crump) and her ever persistent admirer Billy Crocker (Sr. David Trusty) as they travel from New York to London. This musical has been described as being similar to Titanic, but funnier and without a tragic boat scene.
Mr. Jason Damron has been the Musical Theatre teacher for the three years that it has been offered as a class. Previous productions he helped produce were ‘The Sound of Music’ and ‘Seussical the Musical’.
“All musicals are different,” Damron said. “‘Anything Goes’ is different because it has a combination of acting and singing, whereas ‘Seussical the Musical’ was mostly just singing.”
Damron will be conducting the pit orchestra during the musical so he can also help the students during their cues for singing. MHS Theatre Arts teacher Melanie Kassen will be behind the curtain, directing.
The students themselves have had a daunting task ahead of them. During their 5th period class they practice their acting and singing, but they do choreography after school from 3-8.
Senior David Trusty is playing Hope’s love interest Billy. His goal is to win her from her fiancé whom she’s only marrying because her family is in financial debt. Trusty, a first time actor who is used to reading from a teleprompter in his Broadcast class, has had to face a particular challenge in memorizing his lines for the musical.
“I am definitely not a fan of having to memorize lines,” Trusty said. “This is my first year and I didn’t know what I was getting into. It was rough.”
Fellow senior Becca Ford, also a first time participant in Musical Theatre, plays the role of a former Evangelist turned nightclub singer.
When asked what has been most stressful in putting together this production she said, jokingly, “Working with David Trusty because he never knows his lines so I have to remember them for him.”
Hope Harcourt will be portrayed by sophomore Abby Crump, who has had previous experience in working with a theatrical atmosphere. Though this is her first year in Musical Theatre at MHS, she has participated in local productions and community theatres since she was young.
“I’ve had the chance to go to workshops with professionals,” Crump said. “The only part I’ve struggled with is learning the dances. I’m not a very strong dancer.”
Though this is a school production, the Musical Theatre class had a lot of outside help. Erin Fruew and Charlotte Beckman helped with the costumes and Melodie Halstead was a great contributor in helping to design and create the set and its props.
“Anything Goes” will be performed in the MHS Auditorium at 7 pm on May 10 and 11. Tickets will be $7. Come out and support the MHS Musical Theatre class.
Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music. ~Ronald Reagan
