Role reversal - Younger actors triumph in spring musical

Goshen — At first, Dennis O’Brien was worried. A seasoned actor, Dennis had already performed in four musicals and numerous drama club productions at Goshen High School. This fall he heads to Hunter College to pursue a career in theater. In this spring’s production of “Lil’ Abner,” Dennis took on a demanding singing role. But he would be sharing the stage with younger actors with less experience than was usual for a Goshen play. “I was a little apprehensive at the beginning of this year’s rehearsal schedule since so many of the leads and much of the cast were inexperienced,” he said. But his fears didn’t last long. “I realized that there was so much dramatic and vocal talent that by dress rehearsals, I thought it was the best cast ever,” he said. His main challenge was mastering the amount of singing his character, Marryin’ Sam, had to do. Senior Nicole Musumeci is another experienced actor, having performed in three Goshen musicals and other drama productions. She loved “getting off the books and watching it all come together.” Her biggest challenge was her magical transformation into Mammy Yokum. “Make-up was the hardest part of getting ready for performances,” she said. But you don’t always have to pay your dues in the chorus and in cameo roles before landing a lead part. The cast of “Lil’ Abner” departed somewhat from previous Goshen plays because sophomores played several of the leads. Joe Pietropaulo, as Abner Yokam, said he “was in shock for two weeks after the cast list was posted.” Joe agrees with Nicole that the best part of the experience was “how we all came together.” “We started out as a lot of individuals, but we worked hard, and now I can’t imagine what it would be like not to have this cast as my friends,” Joe said. He admitted it has been hard to remember that the show was his second priority, and that school work comes first. Many of student-actors feel that way each year. But as the director, Lori Fedor, pointed out, most of the cast is on one of the honor rolls each semester, including the time most rehearsals are scheduled. “They know they can’t be in the performance if their grades fall, so they form study groups during rehearsals,” Fedor said. “Most students have their noses in the books when they’re not on stage at rehearsals.” Daisy Mae was brought to life by Chelsea Wertheim, a sophomore. “The upperclassmen were very accepting and supportive” throughout the transformation from Goshen to Dogpatch, she said. Her biggest challenge for this show was “allowing Miss Ronda to make my two left feet learn how to dance.” Her favorite memory was experiencing “the joy of being with people who enjoy the same things I do.” The most complicated “make-over” involved turning sophomore Dylan Owen into Pappy Yokum. For two hours before each dress rehearsal and performance, Dylan sat for assistant director Molly Lloyd and endured the application of spirit gum, then a skull cap, then more spirit gum, a wig, and lots and lots of make-up. Surprisingly, Dylan says he “really didn’t mind the intense make-up sessions” as he looked forward to performing. “There’s nothing like getting in front of the audience and getting their feedback,” he said. Learning lines and keeping up with homework was difficult, he said, but added, “If you want good results, you have to work hard.” If the number of standing ovations these kids received are any indication, they all did. How it comes together Spring The process starts almost as soon as the costumes and props are returned and the scenery put into storage. The directors take stock of returning talent, look at available scripts (not every Broadway show is available at all times), and pick a show based on prior shows (so that they aren’t trying to pull off huge dancing blockbusters back to back), affordability (royalties vary from production to production), and many other variables. Fall The directors often aren’t sure of the upcoming production until shortly before auditions, which are generally held in late November (unless it’s a huge dance show that requires additional months of rehearsals). The final cast list is posted on the last day of school before the holiday break. It’s the day each year when over 100 high school students are praying there is not a snow day. Winter Upon return from break, the cast assembles for a read-through and to make sure everyone understands the commitment involved. “The Show” at Goshen High School is not something you fit into your life — it is your life for those few months. Students and their parents sign a commitment contract agreeing to attend all required rehearsals. These kids give up winter sports, part-time jobs, and, in March, when rehearsals are held daily, eventually even their families. A long tradition Almost every school in Orange County has some kind of a dramatic production around this time a year. But few have the storied history found at Goshen High. It began for Goshen thespians in 1960, and the tradition is stronger than ever today. Since the spring of 1997, this legacy has been nurtured by Goshen’s vocal music director, Lori Fedor, hand her assistant directors, English teacher Hugh Mackay and music teacher Molly Lloyd. Ronda Barber and Veronica Nogrady direct the choreography.