Written By: Miles Watts, Staff Writer
CAPTIVATING: The RUSD Honors Musical steals the show at the Fox Theater with their stunning performance of the broadway version of “Beauty and the Beast”.
At the end of every January, the RUSD Honors Musical takes the stage of the Fox Theater with a spectacle of a show. Last year, the show, “Chicago,” was performed and this year the broadway version of “Beauty and the Beast” was enacted. From the actors to the pit, countless hours were put into making the production as professional and captivating as possible. “Although it was extremely time consuming and the music a little more difficult, I still had a lot of fun. The cast and band were a lot of fun to work with.” comments Isabella Gomez, a percussionist in the live band. It gave those who were new to the world of theater a chance to see what it was like to perform as part of a theater company, and it provides a wealth of information on how theater productions operate.
All four shows were performed on the 25th, 26th, and 27th of January, and the opening night was the only available show to purchase tickets. The next two performances were on the 26th. Elementary school students were the first ones to see the show at 9:00 a.m, and middle and high school students viewed the show at 1:00 p.m. Finally, the last show was performed on the 27th for students in a neighboring school district; although, they only got to see the first act of the musical. For those who had been in “Chicago,” they were accustomed to the backstage area; however, those who have never been in that area of the Fox took some time for them to know where everything was. It was French hornist, Aaliyah Tovar’s first time in the Fox as she expressed that it was “absolutely insane to me because [I] never did I think I would perform at the Fox.” She felt that it “was such a beautiful and fun time being in there”.
The first day was a preparation in the morning for opening night at 7:00 p.m. The tech crew situated the stage and lights while the sound team began checking sound while the pit was set up in two areas. Most winds and keyboards were in the front next to the conductor and pit director, Spencer Kalnin, while the strings, percussion, and some keyboards and winds were positioned backstage. The band members in the back had a video monitor of Kalnin conducting and a speaker playing what the keyboards were playing. There were many professional musicians among the high school students who covered about every section except percussion. Most of the cast and pit were relaxing in the other rooms, and the others who were working on setting up also joined them. Lunch was provided before and after the dress rehearsal began. The air was exciting but also anxious for this first showing, but all had practiced tirelessly over the past weeks and were ready.
The audience enjoyed the performance and was actively engaged in the actors performing. From the cast and pit, everyone was entertained from the mystery and suspense from revealing the castle to the extravagance and manic madness that was the song, “Be Our Guest”. After the show, band members packed their instruments while the cast changed from their costumes. Once all was ready and set for the next day, the members left to go home and rest to wake up early for the next show at 9:00 a.m. The cast showed up at 7:00 a.m. to get ready and the pit at 8:00 a.m.. The next show was ready by 9:00 a.m. for the elementary students to view. Having most likely seen the movie before, the little children were enamored with the cast and cheered more than any other audience. This audience reception invigorated the actors and actresses to perform at their best.
After the first performance concluded, the students left to return to their school and the show members relaxed to eat lunch while the tech crew reset the stage. It was then time to prepare for the next show at 1:00 p.m. as middle and high schoolers filed into the seats. The show began and once again the audience was very receptive to the cast as many of them knew the people who were performing. After a lively show with the students loving it, they all left as the stage was reset. A professional photographer was hired to take photos of all show members. First by group (cast, tech, pit) then with everyone together. There was also a small gift given to the directors and a small celebration for Ms. Grotness, the cast director, since it is her last year leading the Honors Musical. After tears were shared before and after the photoshoot, everyone was free to leave and rest for the final day.
With the final show day here, everyone was sad it was over. Everyone got prepared for the performance at 9:30 a.m. and started performing for the smaller audience. Although the students were not as invested in the show as the previous crowds and it was only the first act, the performance was still on par with the other ones. After the curtains closed for the final time on the Honors Musical’s rendition of “Beauty and the Beast,” all assisted in packing up and clearing out of the Fox Theater. Many playbills were signed as mementos of this great event and all were sad that the show had come to an end.
The Honors Musical is truly a delight to witness no matter the show. It is a captivating and wonderful experience to see high schoolers in such a professional environment. “Being in a real theater such as the Fox is really exhilarating because of the insane people watching in the audience” comments Nyla Dadsi, part of the ensemble in the cast. It is quite a daunting task as everyone involved performed in front of over 1600 people. But despite the fear of it, everyone was prepared to put on a great show and everyone certainly did. Although it is over now, rehearsals will start again during the fall for all groups under the direction of a new leader.