by Jeffrey Stanley

"We need to run opening number 9," said musical director Russell Marsh, new this year to the BFS faculty as Choral Director, to the fidgeting teen ensemble onstage.  "Stop talking," he told one group who reduced their chatter to sign language.  He looked on in disappointment.  "Nonverbal communication is also talking."  They gave him their undivided attention.  Russell coaxed, coached and played the piano all at once as voices launched into the song. "Enunciate!"

 

Director Jennifer Goodlander, also new to BFS, watched from the first row.  She is a PhD candidate in the Interdisciplinary Arts program at Ohio University and holds an MFA in Theatre from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. "If you're offstage you're singing offstage, we need all voices!" she told the cast.  One feature she likes about this play is that it contains lots of meaty parts.  "They're all featured roles," she said as they finished the song.  "Okay guys, that was better but we're not there yet!" she told them.

 

Junior Leovanny Hernandez is the production's stage manager.  "I volunteered for this for my theatre credit," he said. This summer he also assistant stage managed a professional concert reading of BFS faculty Jeremy Richard's musical Morgan Street held at New York University, an experience which helped prep him for his BFS task.  "I work on schedule conflicts and send emails to parents and coaches. I help with props, I sit on the book."

 

Senior Chelsea Major plays the Baker's Wife.  "It's all of Grimm's fairy tales put together," she said of the musical.  "It's about how to get your wish."  Her character and the Baker, played by Rico Shah want a baby, but a witch played by senior Caitlin Mahoney has put a curse on their house."  Do they get their wish at the end?  "I end up pregnant, so yes," said Chelsea.

 

Director Jennifer is excited about the production. She saw the Broadway touring production which came through her hometown of Grand Rapids, MI while she was in high school.  She also performed in her first musical, a community production of Hello Dolly, when she was 14.  "I knew I was hooked," she said.  She pointed out that musicals aren't just about singing and dancing as a form of escape.  "In a way musicals are like Shakespeare," she said.  "The songs are like monologues where the characters work out something important."  She stressed that the theme of this particular tale is that inevitably in life one must make new, mysterious and difficult journeys and be changed by the experience.  "Growing up is scary and hard," she said.  "You are working for a 'happily ever after' but the point isn't about what happens after. The point is about the process and about growing."

 

Ninth grader Willa Rubin plays the legendary Little Red Riding Hood on her way to Grandma's house, and nicely illustrates Jennifer's point.  "She runs into the wolf and she gets eaten. She's regurgitated and is more knowledgeable," she said matter-of-factly of her character's gastric journey to maturity.  "The wolf distracts her. It's about her realization that just because someone is nice doesn't mean that they're good."

 

Jennifer added that putting on a play is for these students a lot of hard work, and the lessons aren't only the vicarious ones they learn through their characters.  "Theatre teaches a lot of valuable skills:  teamwork, creativity, focus, being in front of an audience.  These are skills that will be useful no matter what a student decides to pursue later in life."

 

BFS Performing Arts Chair Margaret Bary is choreographing the show, BFS technical director Catherine Clarke is in charge of costuming and Meagan Miller-McKeever the scenic design.

 

"It's entertaining," said Jennifer.  "The music is really good. It's the type of show everyone will enjoy.  It has comedy, drama, and some really touching moments."

 

As the song puts it, You have to take the journey.  The show takes place at 4pm and 7pm on Friday, Nov. 21 and 7 pm on Saturday, Nov. 22.  Tickets are available at the main desk in the lobby.

 

BAKER                                  Rico Shah