Flap heel heel, brush heel toe heel, flap heel heel brush heel, step stomp!
104 feet pound out in unison. Lights gleam brightly on the back wall of an old Theatre in New York City as choreographer Andy Lee oversees the audition for Julian Marsh, Bert Barry and Maggie Jones' newest musical, "Pretty Lady." Excitement fills the air on stage: "Get out your tap shoes! Julian Marsh is doing a show!" We look upon the scene not of an upcoming New York production, but rather upon Rampart High School's latest endeavor in the performing arts, 42nd Street. This show follows our last production, Peter Pan, and includes many of the play's cast members. Although there's no flying in 42nd Street, I'd like to think we still reach incredible heights in our production!
I play the role of Peggy Sawyer in the musical, the wide-eyed newcomer to the cast of "Pretty Lady" who ends up taking over the leading role in the show after leading lady Dorothy Brock, played by Danielle Burton, breaks her ankle. I've also, however, been responsible for choreographing the many dance numbers in the show. Who could ever imagine that, in just two months,
52 high school students, most involved in Rampart's athletics, student leadership organizations, or academically rigorous International Baccalaureate Programme, could learn not only how to tap dance, but learn and remember numerous full-length, high-energy, challenging tap sequences?
Joined with that of the 19 students comprising the show's orchestra and 17 working as crew members backstage, the student effort on this show has been incredible. It might be surprising to know exactly how much of the production is student-run. Our set, an impressive system of wheeled two-story platforms, winding staircases, and neon signs that descend from above the stage, was designed entirely by Joseph O'Rear, who also plays the role of Bert Barry in the show. For the past two months, cast and crew members alike have been spending the entirety of nearly every Saturday working on building our set. From constructing the set pieces themselves, to painting and decorating the finished products, we've done it all. Likewise, students have been responsible for creating the lighting and sound designs in the production. Of course, we've had great support from our director Elaine Maykowski and our parents have been willing to contribute in a variety of ways. Yet in the end, 42nd Street is truly a demonstration of the talent present in the students of Rampart's performing arts department.
So, "come and meet those dancing feet, on the avenue I'm taking you to, 42nd Street!" This is a show you don't want to miss, filled with song and dance that audiences of all ages will be sure to enjoy. Featuring Jack Mariotti as enervated director Julian Marsh, Ben Jack as leading juvenile Billy Lawlor, and Jackie Campbell as "Pretty Lady" co-writer Maggie Jones, 42nd Street proclaims the classic, bittersweet Broadway tale of broken dreams restored in the spotlight. The show will play on April 20, 21, 27, and 28 at 7:00 p.m. in the Rampart High School Theatre. Tickets cost $5 for students and seniors and $7 for adults when purchased in advance, and $6 and
$8 correspondingly at the door. For tickets or more information, call
234-2086 or email emaykow@asd20.org.