2017 Crazy For you
Shasta High’s 48th Annual Musical
Press
Shasta's Spring Musical Dazzles with Dancers, Musicians
By Jon Lewis, Special to Record Searchlight
Published April 2017
With a track record of 46 productions, the Shasta High School spring musical is a well-established performing arts operation. That impressive history, however, doesn’t mean Spencer Gavin can put it into cruise control as the director gears up for Thursday’s opening of “Crazy for You.”
“It’s a pretty challenging show,” said Gavin, who has already helmed 14 spring musicals as the theater department’s artistic director. At the top of challenge list is a demanding Gershwin score that has music director Lou Polcari’s student musicians working overtime.
“The pit has worked tirelessly on this show and they sound great,” Gavin said. Musicians have had to double up on instruments (a few are playing as many as four) to tackle the lush and complex Gershwin arrangements. “The kids are totally excited. They’ve been out renting instruments they have to double on, practicing at lunch and working like crazy. I’m really proud of them.”
Next challenge? “There’s a ton of dancing, and it’s great dancing,” Gavin said. “All the kids are learning to tap dance. They’ve been working their tails off getting this dancing down. I’m so excited to have people come see what these kids have done.”
Choreographer Teshya Russo has had some valuable help from assistant choreographers and Shasta High grads Kendra Groundwater (nee Nelson) and Lindsay Muzikar (nee Cooper). “It made all the difference in the world having the three of them,” Gavin said.
Playwright Ken Ludwig’s script was another hurdle for the cast, Gavin said. “The other technically challenging part is the comedic timing. It’s a comedy from start to finish.” In true Broadway musical fashion, “Crazy for You” involves an almost-unrequited love affair. In this case, it’s Bobby Child, a New York-based playboy, who is dispatched to a Nevada mining town to foreclose on a struggling theater, only to fall instantly in love with Polly Baker, an ardent supporter of the theater. Polly, of course, takes an instant dislike to Bobby when she discovers the purpose of his visit.
Julia Cushman, who is capping off a stellar prep theater career, has the role of Polly. The senior was last seen as the Queen in the Shasta High Madrigal Dinner and her previous roles include Maria in “The Sound of Music” and Belle in “Beauty and the Beast.” “She’s definitely one of the best we’ve had,” Gavin said.
Julia plays opposite Matthew Sutherland, a senior who landed his first lead role as Bobby. Amanda Domb, who was Capt. Von Trapp’s fiancée last year, plays the role of Irene, Bobby Child’s demanding New York fiancée. Jacob Barnett, a senior, is making his musical theater debut in the role of saloon proprietor Lank Hawkins. “He’s one of those kids who was new to choir and had never done that much, but he has a ton of potential in his voice and natural comedic timing,” Gavin said.