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Crazy For You

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Contributed by: Michele Sample on 3/28/2007

Pine Creek High School senior Kathryn Hart wasn't crazy for wearing turquoise sponge rollers in her hair while sitting in class.
Hart landed the lead role of Polly Baker in the school's production of the Gershwin musical comedy, "Crazy for You." The curlers are part of her intense make-up routine.
"I play Polly Baker and live in Deadrock, Nev.," Hart said. "My family owns a theatre that isn't paying the mortgage, so Bobby Child comes out from New York to take it away. Hart said. "We end up falling in love with dance and each other."
The original musical was called "Girl Crazy" performed in 1930. A re-make was written in 1992 by playwright Ken Ludwig.
Sophomore Marco Robinson plays the part of Bobby Child, a wannabe actor, who succumbs to his family business, banking.
"I believe Marco will be on Broadway some day," Hart said. "You listen to him sing and you go, 'Oh my gosh, he is amazing.'"
When Hart heard about this production last year, she and Robinson both went out and bought the musical's CD.
"This music is classic," Hart said. "An absolute dream to perform."
They attended the same tap dance class over the summer as well.
"I fell in love with the Gershwin CD." Robinson said. "I've got Rhythm', and 'Embraceable You' are two Gershwin classics in the musical. "I was singing 'Someone to Watch Over Me' all the time," Hart added.
More than 25 songs are preformed by 22 members of the school band tucked beneath the stage called the "pit". Flutes, clarinets, saxophones and trombones encompass the musical composition.
"The music is really fast, Gershwin tempo, from the 1920's," tuba player and sophomore Ben Eads said. While the band waits between musical numbers some students play their Game Boys or computer.
Besides the number of musical arrangements that make this production unique, there is plenty of dancing.
"There is a lot more dancing in general," music director, Carrie Bernhardt-Roberson said. "The story is told through dance. It moves quickly from one aspect to another with a lot of wit."
She teaches her students to always work up to a higher level and have fun.
"I love teaching this age because the kids can achieve huge successes with the right guidance," Bernhardt-Roberson said.
"I've had Kathryn in productions for four years, and this is her first star role," Bernhardt-Roberson said. "This is the best couple I've worked with. They have showed great maturity and a connection working together on stage and as friends."
Stage manger senior Chad Winslow has to make sure everyone backstage works together as well.
"I am basically in charge of everything that goes on behind the scenes," Winslow said. "These kids are like family to me."
One of his favorite pastimes after practice is to go to Red Robin to get a milk shake with some of the crew.
"The hardest part of being backstage is the sets are heavy to move around," Winslow said.
One of the set pieces, a fourteen foot Rolls Royce, was made by senior Bill Prentice, who also plays a disgruntled salon owner.
"This is my ninth production, and I believe this is one of the more talented groups. Great dancers, singers and a strong cast." Prentice said.

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Michele Sample

Michele Sample has posted 260 stories and 6 comments since joining on 11/8/2006. Michele Sample's average story rating is 4.81.

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