MHS theater program brings 'Guys and Dolls' to stage
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Producer and director Kathryn Bushey works with the large cast Wednesday during rehearsal for the Montpelier High School Masque production of the musical, "Guys and Dolls." Stefan Hard/Times Argus |
Toolbox
By Sarah Hinckley Times Argus Staff - Published: November 20, 2008
MONTPELIER – A lot of things have changed throughout the four years Coti Graves has been in the Montpelier High School theater program, Masque.
"I was in the theater back when it was completely student-run – and Reed and Kathy weren't here," said the senior, who is the student manager of the theater. "They got in and we got a lot more done."
At 7 p.m. tonight in the auditorium of the high school, the student drama club, Masque, will open its production of "Guys and Dolls." Kathryn Bushey is directing and producing the show, with the help of her husband Reed Bushey, Amy Papineau as music director, Isadora Snapp as choreographer, John Lincoln playing the music and costumes designed by Cheryl Tillotson.
"We've gotten a lot more kids for this one than we've gotten for any other show," said Graves about the pro-duction. In fact, during his time in the theater club, membership has nearly quadrupled and includes some less likely candidates for stage performance.
"The football team showed up," said Kathryn Bushey about auditions that were held in September. "One of them is actually the lead … Some of these kids have never been on the stage before – which is really fun."
About three years ago Bushey and her husband, who have been involved in the Montpelier Theatre Guild for about 10 years, met with principal Peter Evans about the theater program at the high school. For several years it had been strictly run by students, with small-scale productions gracing the stage of the auditorium.
"We came down to talk to Peter Evans and we left with a job," said Bushey. "The first year was really rough … It was going to be a temporary thing until we found somebody."
Last year, the Masque group did two shows and this fall the couple has been pouring all of their extra time and energy into the production of "Guys and Dolls." In addition to working nearly 30 hours a week as a nurse and earning her bachelor's degree in nursing through a correspondence course, Bushey is involved in all aspects of the production.
"I've never seen it, never heard it before I got the script," she said about the musical written by Damon Runyon with music by Frank Loesser. "The last three weekends I've been here probably since 9 in the morning until 12 at night."
Several of the 32 student actors play more than one role in the production.
"We have 30 kids and some of them have five or six costumes, it's crazy," said Bushey, flitting through a handful of fake dollar bills.
She claims many of the boys are excited about the show because they play gangsters, get to gamble and there is even a fight scene.
"It's a great story," said Alex Perry, 15, a sophomore at the school, who plays three different characters, including the prize fighter. "I get to wear a really nice suit, so that's cool … When I found out we were doing a musical, I was really excited."
Perry's last stunt on stage was in kindergarten when he was the lead character in a school production. The sophomore did not realize that before the Busheys, the Masque program was run strictly by students. When asked what he thought would happen if it were still that way, Perry gave an honest response.
"I think that we would get nothing done," he said. "I think we need Kathy and Reed."
There are also a number of dedicated parents putting in time to help build the set, make props and assist where necessary.
"When Reed and I figured it out, we make about 60 cents an hour," said Bushey comparing hours put in to the stipend given. "I'm looking forward to getting my bachelor's (degree), but I haven't studied since I took this job … But I love it. It's totally different than my job."
Although exhausted and crunched for time on Wednesday to hook up new stage lights, sent to the school within the last week, Reed Bushey was focusing straight ahead. Having the run of the theater and being a mentor to the students involved are what drive the couple.
"It's been really fun. Doing (the show) with all these people has been a really good experience," said Perry. "All of us have just become really good friends."
All aspects of the student body are represented on the stage, according to Bushey.
"That's the best thing about theater, it brings all kinds of kids together," she said. "I'm just hoping we get a lot of people to come see it."
Shows are scheduled for 7 p.m., tonight, Friday and Saturday. There is a 2 p.m. matinee scheduled for Sunday.
For more information go to mpsvt.org/MHS/MHSSite/Academics/performingarts/performingarts.html, or call Montpelier High School at 225-8000.
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