It is Benjamin Murray’s job this year to turn 110 energetic and precocious high schoolers into “Something Rotten!”
The PG-13 musical is packed with ensemble numbers, tap dancing and adult humor.
Murray, a longtime Fox Chapel Area High School musical director, was in rare form during rehearsal Feb. 11 refocusing cast and crew in what he called crunch time.
That practice was just a little more than two weeks out from opening night and a little less than that for a special community dress rehearsal.
The production team also had to make up for missed rehearsals due to the winter storm late last month, which closed schools also impacted some material deliveries.
“It’s crunch time always within the last two weeks of a show regardless of what’s going on,” Murray said. “I think things are coming together really well. We always talk about it being like an arc. You want them to peak at the right time. I feel like we’re going to peak at the exact time we want to be with the show.”
The show was selected in August. First rehearsals took place before winter break with business picking up in January.
“We like to choose a show that has a big pit orchestra,” Murray said. “We like to choose a show that has a lot of dancing and is a big ensemble show. This absolutely covers those three things. We want to get as many kids involved as possible. This particular show is so funny. It is brilliantly written.”
Brief synopsis
“Something Rotten!” is from the book by Kary Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell with music and lyrics by Wayne and Karey Kirkpatrick.
Set in England during the 1590s, it tells the story of Nick and Nigel Bottom.The brothers are struggling playwrights desperate to make a name for themselves in a theater scene dominated by larger-than-life superstar William Shakespeare.
They search for their big break and seek to create something bold, original and unforgettable.
Nick seeks help from a soothsayer and learns the future of theater includes singing, dancing and acting all at once.
With this knowledge, the brothers work to create the world’s first musical.
At its heart, the show is about taking risks, embracing creativity and being true to yourself.
“Something Rotten!” opened on Broadway in April 2015 and has been called a love story for musical theater.
There are references to multiple musicals from at least the past 75 years, including “Les Miserables,” “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” “The Music Man” and “Chicago.”
Murray said a lot of attendees will be able to recognize the excerpts that will have them “laughing intelligently.”
Student performances
Senior Nathan Johnson plays Shakespeare and feels a common bond with the character.
“I get to be a true showman,” he said. “Have a ton of fun, get to sing the best songs. … I like to do things about as loud and as proud as I can.”
Nerves also have subsided since Johnson is in his second and final high school musical.
“I think it has gotten easier in the fact that I know what’s expected of me, and I know how our production team operates,” he said. “You shouldn’t be afraid to bring your own ideas.
“It just helps the process move a lot faster, and the show ends up being a lot better if the cast is really involved in what’s happening on stage versus just being told what’s on stage. Being a senior in my last year, having a ‘no regrets’ approach to the year where I get to have fun and try not to miss out on anything.”
Senior Xing Carlough also is in his second high school production.
He plays Nigel Bottom, who falls in love with Portia, played by fellow senior Grace Gouwens.
Portia becomes Nigel’s muse and a huge influence on the free-spirited poet.
“My character is kind of the opposite of Shakespeare, but he shows a lot of admiration for Shakespeare,” Carlough said. “He describes himself as a poet while his brother handles all the big picture things.”
Carlough played viola in the pit orchestra his freshman and sophomore year and transitioned to a stage performer his junior year.
He said he loved playing classical music and felt a calling watching other students on stage.
“It was definitely something that I really was thinking about,” Carlough said. “You get to be under the lights. You get to directly express your playing with the audience. That’s something I was really excited about, and I think the main driving force that caused me to switch from pit to stage.
“We are definitely going to be ready (for opening night). It’s a little bit stressful right now.”
Johnson, Carlough, Gouwens and other performers have been putting in overtime going over lines and scenes outside of rehearsal.
Gouwens, who is in her fourth and final show, said she is holding on to every moment.
“It’s kind of bitter sweet,” Gouwens said. “This is my last year, and I think we have a really good group of seniors and of leads. I’m trying to just have as much fun as I can. I think that we are doing that, balancing fun with hard work.”
Gouwens said her character is very religious and high energy. She fights to be with Nigel despite his brother trying to break them up and her dad not a fan of plays and theater.
“She’s just so excited and there’s a curiosity about her that’s really fun to play with and connect back to,” Gouwens said.
The set and lighting and other parts of the show function under the watchful eye of senior Lily Cannon, senior stage manager.
“I’m not on the stage,” Cannon said. “I’m actually far away in a little light box. Everything that moves on stage I’m facilitating with a headset.”
She delegates to a junior and a sophomore assistant stage manager.
Students also are involved in hair, makeup, painting and sound.
There are huge park scenes, and things will be carefully dropped from the ceiling during the show.
Cannon remained humble when talking about the impact set design has on creating an atmosphere for attendees and performers.
“I think our cast really brings out a lot of energy, and I think that helps our set,” Cannon said. “I think our cast does a really good job alone, set or not. People are just really happy to be here and really enthusiastic.”
The Fox Chapel Choral Family Association helped with fundraising.
