Curtain opens on biennial musical November 19-21
Stressed actors already fill the auditorium when senior Nat Hoopes walks in. He has 16 measures of music and a two minute monologue memorized and is ready to perform a dance for the choreographer. Because he’s been in between 10 and 20 plays, Hoopes isn’t used to being nervous for auditions. However, “Big Fish,” which shows on November 19-21, is only Hoopes’ second musical.
“[A musical is] a lot more fabricated and you have to know where you’re going to be rather than a play, where you can kind of decide,” Hoopes said. “From night-to-night it’s really tense, because the music never changes.”
“Big Fish” is based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the movie directed by Tim Burton. It features Edward, played by Hoopes, and his son Will, played by sophomore Eli Bork. Junior Morgan McReynolds plays Edward’s wife.
Sophomore Anna Bial will take the stage as Jenny Hill, Edward’s high school sweetheart. Unlike Hoopes, Bial has been in eight musicals.
“I think musicals require a lot more energy in some ways, de- pending on the shows,” Bial said. “It’s a lot more memorization and dancing, so I think in some ways the ensemble has a lot more to do in a musical than in a regular play…it also just takes longer to put on a musical.”
Another difference for Hoopes between some plays and musicals is the amount of props and technology needed.
“I think the tech stuff is going to be really cool because it’s a really tech-heavy show,” Hoopes said. “We’re going to have a really elaborate set and cool special effects with shadows and stuff.”
For freshman Luke Jacobs, working backstage for the musical has been his way of connecting with friends since sixth grade.
“I have a lot of friends that work with me in tech and it’s just something that I’ve always enjoyed doing,” Jacobs said.
Decorating his boat for homecoming, sophomore Chris Pendry matches the theme for the musical “Big Fish.” Weeks of rehearsing and memorization of the songs and lines is what practices consisted of. “People should g to Big Fish because the show has … all the ranges of emotion,” Pendry said. After being a part of four Free State plays before this, Pendry is thrilled that he is now in his first school musical.
A feature specific to musicals is the pit orchestra. The orchestra features instruments ranging from a keyboard and drum set to violins, French horns and flutes. Senior Jared Schoeneberg played violin in the musical two years ago and also performs in orchestras in musicals held at various theatres around Lawrence.
Schoeneberg said the “Big Fish” music is catchy, yet difficult.
“I think there’s a lot of challenging rhythm things, so I’m excited for working on rhythms and syncopation,” he said.
Although musicals tend to take a lot more work and cost more to produce, drama director Nancee Beilgard loves what she does and says those involved have a strong work ethic.
“Most everyone has been wonderful,” Beilgard said. “They know we have a three strike rule, and they don’t want to be cut.”
Edward tells many tall tales and has a troubled relationship with has son. He has stories about meeting a giant, a witch and a werewolf, among other creatures.
“There’s definitely some funny parts, but it’s more of a drama,” Hoopes said.
Many involved are excited for “Big Fish.” Hoopes hopes the musical will leave a lasting impression with the audience.
“The audience will be able to relate to the characters a lot, and it has a really good message,” Hoopes said. “I think it’ll impact people a lot and I’m really looking forward to moving them.”
