Boyfriend to debut with sass

    “I have high expectations [for the musical],” said Theatre Director Vikki Farrish. “But we are a little farther behind where I was hoping to be.”

    AHS’s annual Spring musical, The Boy Friend, which premiers April 17-19 at 7 p.m., is at the peak of its busy production cycle. With opening night only a week away, the tension and nerves continue to build up for cast and crew in the hope of delivering an unforgettable performance to the Annandale Community.

    The Boyfriend, a romantic “spoof,” is about a Finishing School in the French Rivera lead by a flirtatious head mistress, Madame Dubonnet, played by senior Alaina Talley. The musical tells of numerous men and women in search of love who on their journeys discover many truths. “This show is not well known but it’s the right size for Annandale,” said Farrish.

    “It’s not perfection yet, not quite where I want it to be but we only have a week and a half to get it there,” said Farrish. “The biggest problem we have, just like any play, is the kids are involved in too many activities so it’s extremely hard to get a group together.”

    With the musical’s high expectations, the amount of work and effort still needed is high. “It has potential to be really good but it really depends on how much effort the actors put into it at the very end. It could end up turning out really well but if we don’t, all of us together, put in the same amount of effort it could end up bad,” said senior Sarah Lewis who plays Dulcie, a flirt.

    “The cast is supposed to help and some have done very well and some haven’t done much, so you have what you put into it,” said Farrish.

    Farrish is aware that the overall production is still lacking and the participants of the musical share this feeling. “I feel like we are a little behind with actual production,” said junior Lea Samuelson who plays the role of Lady Brockhurst, a stuffy British wife whose husband likes to flirt with other women. “But I think we can pull it off,” said Samuelson.

    Though the general production is slightly behind, the choreography, a highlight of the show, is making its way to being professional. “The choreography, done by senior Becky Lallande and junior Rachel Wattenbarger, has been fabulous. They have done an amazing job,” said Farrish.

    The choreography may be professional but it does have some setbacks. “It was very difficult to teach people because their attention span isn’t very long and once it hits 5:30 p.m. their brains stop working,” said Lallande. “It’s kind of frustrating, but I think they will get it in the end.”

    Despite the setbacks, the whole musical cast and Farrish still remain optimistic about the final outcome of the production. “This musical will keep its standard of excellence,” said senior Eric Jurenas who plays Bobby, an American boy seeking love from Maisie, played by junior Natalia Schwein. “I expect it to be a very good show,” said Jurenas.