Catch it before the Curtains Close
Westminster High puts on ‘Curtains’ By TAYLOR HOEY Apr. 22, 2016
I never know what to expect when I see a show at Westminster High. Some blow me away while others are not as extraordinary. Although I tend to be overly critical, as soon as the curtains went up on this show, I found myself laughing and dancing along to this commendable performance of a humorous musical.
Even though I was unfamiliar with this show, Kander and Ebb’s musicals always impress me incredible scores. The vocal performances at this show were at par while the orchestra lagged a bit behind. This was only noticeable for someone whose favorite part is the Overture, but I applaud the directors for use of students in the pit.
Since most of the show takes place backstage, I enjoyed the use of minimalistic, natural sets, avoiding an overcrowded stage and allowing room for the hefty cast. The few sets compensated for the somewhat distracting ensemble and allowed the focus to be on the show’s many leads and complicated plot. The inclusion of the conductor and the audience as well as the use of the aisles concentrated the large theater and made for a more intimate performance.
Above all, the acting in this show was some of the best I have seen at Westminster and the group dynamic among the leads was exactly how you would imagine a production team to be. They seemed incredibly comfortable on the stage and in their characters, avoiding the “second guessing” that I see in many high school actors. Michael Yeager’s hilarious portrayal of the Lieutenant established him as a comedic yet disciplined performer, Michelle Guldan (Carmen Bernstein) filled her brassy role with attitude and confidence, and Nicole Banks (Georgia Hendricks) and Emily Johnston (Olivia Shapiro) stole the show with grace. A local favorite and brilliant actor, Willem F Rogers (Christopher Belling), nailed his character with hilarity and style. Jared Williams (Randy Dexter), who I hoped to see in a lead role someday, was an incredible talent. And finally, somebody who impressed me with his confidence, voice, and manner onstage, was Hunter McFadden (Aaron Fox). It was the great performances, both individual and collective, that carried this show, and had me eager to see what would happen next.
To my surprise, the show had me on the edge of my seat and is something that I would definitely see again. It was well done with noticeable thought and effort put into it. And although the ensemble was too large and distracting at times, it is the diversity and inclusion that counts, because that is truly what the theatre community is about.
Don’t miss it! There are two performances left, Saturday, April 23 at 2:00 and 7:00 pm.