HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. The Hastings High School production of Pippin had its opening night on Friday after nearly 10 weeks of preparation, which has led to plenty of anticipation from director Laurie Walton.
Im looking forward to the kids having an audience because theyve been ready for a couple of days so they need to hear the response, Walton said.
With this being the eighth high school musical Walton has directed, she said last years performance actually played a part in selecting this years show.
I picked it because last year for the first time I had a shortage of boys and I was afraid the same thing would happen this year so I picked a show where it didnt have to have a lot of boys because some of the roles could be girls, Walton said. Turned out the kids were really excited about that choice.
Walton described the play as one about the search for what makes you happy in life and said it was something that local residents will really enjoy.
The preparation for this years show was a little bit different than usual though, when Walton had to take a hiatus to do some of her own work.
This time I left town to be in a play myself in the middle of rehearsals, which Ive never done so I relied on the choreographer and the musical director to start the ball rolling, Walton said. So we did it a little bit backwards.
This years show stars Emily Dyke and Daniel Jones who plays Pippin himself. Walton said the cast has been her favorite part of directing the annual musical, especially this time around.
The cast has a really nice camaraderie and you dont always get a great dynamic, Walton said. It feels like its a really kind, bright cast. Theyre really respectful, they really want to learn.
Pippin can be seen on Saturday at the Hastings High School at 7:30 p.m. and there will also be a Sunday matinee performance at 1 p.m. Tickets are $5 for students, $10 for adults and free for senior citizens.
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