This year’s spring musical is Guys and Dolls, a musical about a gambler challenged to take a female missionary to Havana, but they fall for each other. The bet however, has a hidden motive.
The process of choosing the musical takes some time. Choir Director Courtney Gibson has some shows picked out the year before they are announced and slowly starts to cut shows until one is decided on and announced. Gibson also takes into consideration what the theater teacher and orchestra pit director think before deciding on a musical.
“I usually have my shows narrowed down to a couple of choices a year before I announce the next show, and then I definitely know what show I’m going to choose a month before I announce,” Gibson said.
Another thing that Gibson takes into consideration is the ability of the students who will be acting in the show. Before choosing the show she thinks about what will best highlight the students’ skills. It is also important that the size of the musical is considered, both the size of the cast and the stage.
“First I consider the skill sets of the students in our musical program and then I narrow down what shows would best showcase their talents. I also consider what shows will work for our specific theater space and budget,” Gibson said.
It’s such a good musical, it’s so fun, I can’t wait to see the finished product but the whole process is going to be fun. I think it’s just such a fun musical
— Anna Jennings
The process of putting together the musical is a long, but rewarding process. Working on the musical, whether it be on the cast or crew, is very rewarding. Not only that but it can create lasting memories from the time spent putting together the show.
“I’ve been on tech crew [for the other musicals]. I just like hanging out with my friends when we do it. I think it’s really fun to watch the musicals and the plays,” cast member Hope Day said.
This musical itself has a lot of people involved excited to produce and perform it. The costumes this year are very colorful and the dance numbers have some in the show excited. Another thing that has some cast members excited is their characters and how they get to portray them.
“It’s such a good musical, it’s so fun, I can’t wait to see the finished product but the whole process is going to be fun. I think it’s just such a fun musical,” theater teacher Anna Jennings said.
