What do you get when a teacher, counselor, musician, dancer and fireman discover the words and music by Julian Fellowes and Andrew Lloyd Webber? And then they use it to propel 49 Pagosa actors onto the stage this weekend to entertain all of us? The resounding answer is “School of Rock, the Musical,” produced by our community theater, Curtains Up Pagosa (CUP).
Dewey Finn, robustly played by Pagosa native Hunter Swinehart, is a failed and broke rocker who impersonates his roommate to become a substitute teacher at an exclusive prep school. When he discovers his academically focused students also possess hidden musical talent, he secretly fashions them into a rock group aimed at competing in a Battle of the Bands.
All of this happens despite the principal’s and parents’ suspicions that Dewey is not the competent teacher he pretends to be. Remarkably, Dewey uses his own hidden talents to persuade students, parents and even Principal Rosalie Mullins that his unconventional efforts can produce unexpected benefits.
Like all CUP shows, “School of Rock” is the result of hundreds of hours of volunteer time expended by the production team, cast members and the pit band. Krisha Doocy, who recently staged the acclaimed Pagosa Springs High School rendition of “Little Mermaid,” and Jeannie Abbas, who directed CUP’s last huge success, “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas,” have teamed up with Musical Director Leo Baughman, Choreographer Jamie Anderson, Costume Designer Elizabeth Baldwin and Stage Manager Morgan Vining to marshal 49 adults, teens and budding young actors into a rocking good musical.
While our young actors enthusiastically belt out the signature song “Stick It to the Man,” softer numbers emerge from Mullins, deftly sung by returning actor Daryn Butler in “Where Did the Rock Go,” and the students’ emotional lament to their parents in “If Only You Would Listen.”
These and the other rousing numbers are ably accompanied by a superb pit band of Pagosa musicians: pianist Gwen Taylor; Suzanne Hill on keyboard; guitarists Erika Sueker, Karen Mesikap and Billy Wissing; and Michael Barber on drums.
Doocy, director, aptly sums up the overall CUP effort: “What this company has accomplished in just eight short weeks is nothing short of a miracle. This cast embraced every challenge with enthusiasm and determination, growing not only as performers but also as a community. One of the greatest joys of this experience has been working with such an age-diverse group of performers. From our youngest cast members to our most seasoned, each individual brought their own unique talents, perspectives and energy to the rehearsal room and now the stage”.
To enjoy this lively show, four performances will be presented on the Pagosa Springs High School stage this week: Thursday, June 25 at 7p.m.; Friday, June 26 at 7 p.m.; and two shows on Saturday, June 27, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tickets are available online at www.onthestage.tickets/curtains-up-pagosa or can be purchased at the door. Support education and entertainment in Pagosa Country by seeing this wonderful show this weekend.
>