Comedy, Romance, and the Charleston

The Sevastopol High School Choir, as apart of their fall curriculum, are recreating Nice, France during the 1920s, an iconic era of fashion, post-World War I rehabilitation and peace, and avant-garde, ‘provocative’ dances, in the musical by Sandy Wilson, The Boy Friend. When asked why she chose the play, director Joanna Fulton said, “because of the music and the dancing. There is a lot of dancing, five or six dances in all.”

Besides adding a bit more challenge to the production, the dancing has also proven to be a unique, if not central experience for the students.

“They’re really enjoying the dancing,” said Fulton. “It gets the crowd more involved and helps them be more in character.” Of the dances featured, the famed Charleston is likely the most popular of the ‘20s era, though Fulton and choreographer Amy Shaw have also incorporated a waltz and, inspired by old ‘20s footage found on http://www.youtube.com, a cane and hat dance.

“Old films, and the Internet, have helped a lot,” said Fulton. “I found the play glancing through the music theatre international Web site this summer.” (www.mtishows.com)

The play, popular during the ‘50s and ‘60s, has appeared on Broadway, on London stages, and even boasts the American debut of Julie Andrews. Even with its status as a high-end production, the play has a long-running history of amateur and student-run productions.

Tony (James Heroux) and Polly (McKenzie Birmingham) find romance in “The Boy Friend.”

Providing quite a few lead opportunities and allowing low-budget cost were other reasons Fulton chose the play. The plot revolves around Tony, a runaway (James Heroux), and Polly, a millionaire’s daughter (McKenzie Birmingham), who meet when Tony delivers Polly a dress for a fancy ball at Madame Dubonnet’s School for Young Ladies. Including five other couples, some young, others older, some romantic, other humorous, the play is largely a comic pastiche of 1920s shows, celebrating the sprit of the “Roaring ‘20s.”

Moving from the drawing room of the finishing school, to a Mediterranean beach, to the Carnival Ball, the production includes a diverse set, as well as intriguing lighting, and costume opportunities.

“We incorporated the flapper dressers and gave it a kind of masquerade look,” said Fulton, who says that her biggest challenge is “knowing every detail – where they [the cast] enter, including all the props. Usually I do the music, now I am trying to keep everything moving fluidly.” Employing the help of a student aide, Fulton, the production team, and cast have recreated the The Boy Friend for Door County audiences.

Considering all the theatrical groups in the Door County area, professional and amateur, this is one worth investing in.

“What we make goes to the music department,” said Fulton. Celebrating, teaching, practicing, and encouraging the performing arts, the music department of Sevastopol may see members of the cast and choir on many more stages in their lifetime.

Performance dates are set for November 7 and 8 at 7:30 pm in the Sevastopol Elementary Gym. Tickets, $4 for students/children and $5 for adults, are available in the high school office. They may also be purchased at the door on production dates.

The Cast Includes:

Women

Polly Browne…………………………………McKenzie Birmingham

Madame Dubonnet……………..………………..…….Rachael Wilson

Maisie…………………………………………….…Clare MacMillen

Hortense………………………………..…………..Madeline Popelka

Dulcie………………………………………………Megan McDowell Fay…………………………………….………………….Erin Kiehnau

Nancy……………………………………………Christiana Gorchynsky

Lady Brockhurst………………………………………Angela Gureski

Men

Tony……………………………………………………..James Heroux

Bobby Van Husen………………………………………Trevor Hietpas

Lord Brockhurst………………………………………..Charlie Scanlon

Percival Browne…………………………………………Davin Jeanquart

Marcel…………………………………………………Cole VanderLeest

Pierre……………………………………………………..Jon White

Alphonse………………………………………………Kurtis Lauder

Chorus

Hannah Erickson, Mariah Giesseman, Sarah Hartman, Morgan Johnson, Dale Jorgenson, Tori Oldenburg, Tianna Roehrig, Amanda Schartner, Julia Stoneman, Conrad Wilson