The Valparaiso High School Drama Club will be performing “Guys and Dolls” for their annual Fall Musical on November 20th & 21st at 7pm and on the 22nd at 2pm.
“Months of planning and preparation have gone into this production,” said Director and Valparaiso High School Teacher, Molly Vass. “The creative team has been meeting since August to generate ideas and create a vision. Students auditioned back in September and have been rehearsing regularly ever since. We have spent many long hours in the choir room and on the stage, going over choreography and blocking, running lines and memorizing blocking. I'm extremely proud of all of the work that has gone into this production, both from students as well as the production staff."
Click here to see all the photos from the 2015 VHS 'Guys and Dolls' Dress Rehearsal.
“Guys and Dolls is a classic show,” said Vass. “It includes many recognizable tunes, like "Luck Be a Lady" and "I Love You A Bushel and a Peck." We have a cast of over forty students, plus numerous other students working backstage, helping with costumes, light design, sound, etc. All in all, over sixty students have been involved in some aspect of this production. Although this is a musical, as a director I wanted to find ways to utilize students who aren't singers, or students who aren't dancers, in order to include as many students as possible. Drama club is an organization that is open to all students, regardless of their past theatrical experience. I'm excited to have veteran performers onstage next to others who have never been in a musical before. The entire ensemble really works together to support this show.”
“I grew up watching performances at VHS, then performed in them myself as a student,” Vass said. “This is my first time directing a show at Valpo High School, and it is especially meaningful for me to be able to share my passion for the arts on this stage.”
Kathryn Jankowski, a senior and Public Relations Officer in the Drama Club, plays the lead role of Sarah Brown in this year’s production.
“I play Sarah Brown and she’s more of a dynamic character, kind of uptight and religious,” Jankowski said. “She ends up getting drunk in Havana and realizes she’s in love with Sky Masterson.”
Playing opposite Jankowski in the lead role of Sky Masterson is VHS senior, Ryan Miles.
“I’m a big gambler,” said Miles. “A high roller as they call me. I’m kind of like this big character who just got back from Las Vegas and so I come in and everyone’s astonished that there’s this high roller there. I try to sweep Sarah off her feet and get to know her and she’s not having any of that! Overall most of my role is trying to get to Sarah while still focused on this craps game and gambling.”
Playing the featured role of ‘Nicely-Nicely Johnson’ in this year’s production is senior, and Public Relations Officer in the Drama Club, Michael Radford.
“Nicely-Nicely is his nickname generally because he’s one of the nicer gamblers and he’s kind of the silly one,” Radford said. “He’s always eating something too so he’s kind of the comic relief.”
Assistant Director, Bryce Shaffer, said, “I love this show because it is a Classic piece of musical theater. The audience gets to see a lively and funny show, while watch kids do something they love.”
To find out more about this year’s Fall Musical, “Guys and Dolls” contact Valparaiso High School, or visit: https://www.facebook.com/Valpo-HS-411-627837360580660/