Costumes, Lights, Curtain Up at BHS: Shrek, the Musical!

(L-R) Michael Mahoney, Mei Taylor, Evelina Pajus, Katie Linnehan-all play fairytale creatures
(L-R) Michael Mahoney, Mei Taylor, Evelina Pajus and Katie Linnehan all play fairytale creatures

Submitted Bedford High School’s 2015 Musical Team

Come support the cast and crew of “Shrek, the Musical” at Bedford High School on Wednesday, March 11th (4:30 matinee show), and Thursday, March 12th through Saturday, March 14th (7:30 evening shows).

Tickets are $10 for students & seniors, $15 at the door for adults, or $12 if purchased in advance. You may purchase tickets at all four Bedford schools (BHS, JGMS, Lane, and Davis) as well as Great Road Gallery & Framing and the Council on Aging.

Director Katrina Faulstich is working with producer/music director Evan Grunwald, choreographer Jessica Ham, and technical director Erik Smallenberger for the fifth year now. According to Evan, “it’s the Faulstich era, and all the kids know the directors and the culture she’s imbued into the music department.”

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Recently, the production team added another young teacher, Michael Poe, who fills in gaps with his many talents. Today, he was sewing a costume piece during rehearsal. He provided invaluable support for character development for the fall drama “Almost, Maine.”

The entire cast is doing great with their acting—for example, Michelle Kupershmidt has really nailed the voice and personality of Pinocchio—so it’s time to integrate all the technical aspects of the production. Let’s leave the dragon as a surprise…

This week, Erik is teaching the crew to do scene changes. “Can we get work lights, house lights, too, Conor? (To crew): “Everybody on stage. So, what needs fine-tuning?” Student: “Castles into jail cells” (referring to a change of sets). Erik: “That will get easier, because I have an idea. Anything else? OK, let’s do sets from the top of Act 2.”

While running Act 2, in a scene with Brad Hegarty (Shrek), Deanna Lobo (Donkey), tries the hooves that are part of her costume. Later, Katrina teaches Brad and two other boys how to lift Linda Bittenson (Princess Fiona) off a platform.

Backstage, everyone is picking up their costumes. Betsy Goetschius, the costume designer, is handing out accessories such as tights and wigs. There are a LOT of tights in this show!

Chris Adamik (Lord Farquaad) has yellow tights. The castle guards’ costumes are primary colors, with blue tights. Corinne Vient and seven other rat dancers are wearing tailored silver mini-dresses. White tights. The Three Blind Mice dancers have flowing silver dresses, and dark sunglasses. Gray tights.

Several boys pick up their red skirts. Nate Fisette, in a Pied Piper costume, learns he will be given brown tights. Sam Rackey walks by in a green bishop’s costume. No, no tights!

There’s lots going on during this final week of preparation. According to Evan, “The kids are not really ready until the week before the show, but then they’re ready, following Katrina’s lead with her theatrical expertise and energy.”

Music direction energizes Evan. “I don’t consider this work,” he says. “The kids are doing great musically, working on big and medium production numbers. Everyone has a ton of stage time; there are no small roles.” Evan enjoys watching the freshmen discover the jump in professionalism at the high school level, but they always rise to the occasion.

The cast is always excited when the pit orchestra starts coming to rehearsals. This is the first year that Evan isn’t playing guitar, letting him focus on the baton. Except he’s also the producer. He is extremely grateful for donations from businesses, and for students and parents who volunteer in a non-intrusive way, for example selling tickets and hanging up posters.

Along with the music, sets, and costumes, the cast is really getting into the dance numbers. Jess Ham explains, “the choreography for Shrek is a combination of classic musical theatre moves—especially the rats’ dance—with a twist, reflecting clever musical references to other shows. Duloc is cheesy. The skeletons are funky, because the song is sarcastic.”

She finds creative ways to handle the wide variety of students’ comfort levels with dancing. “First, I see what I’ve got, and then go from there.” She gives the steps funny names: “the penguin,” “trombone arms,” and “wiggle-me’s.” “No matter what they came in with, they find the potential in themselves, and end up showing something they’re really proud of.”

Young Fiona (Ava Derderian), Fiona (Linda Bittenson), and Teen Fiona (Chloe DeMello) sing of their lifetime of misery stuck in a tower.

Young Fiona (Ava Derderian), Fiona (Linda Bittenson), and Teen Fiona (Chloe DeMello)
sing of their lifetime of misery stuck in a tower.

 

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