Agoura High School’s performance of 42nd Street was a truly special production. It ran from April 1st to April 5th at the Performing Arts and Education Center. The show began at 5:00 p.m. on the opening night and at 7:00 p.m. on the subsequent evenings. The original musical, based on Bradford Ropes’ novel, was directed by Mark Bramble and Michael Stewart, with its music composed by Harry Warren and Al Dubin. Agoura’s rendition of the musical was directed by David Krassner, with its choreography by Leslie Glowacki and Susan Ingram, and its music conducted by Robert Hackett and Kay Min.
42nd Street tells the story of Peggy Sawyer and her journey on Broadway. Peggy arrives in New York to perform in the chorus of Pretty Lady. During a preview of the show, she accidentally bumps into Dorothy Brock, the main character, and injures her. As a result, Peggy is fired by Julian Marsh, the director, but she is later invited back to perform in place of Dorothy as the star.
To achieve such a remarkable production, the students dedicated countless hours of effort. We asked Ale Reeves, a student involved in the production, how often and when the cast rehearsed: “Official rehearsals began in early December, but more time was being put into it after ‘Anne Frank’ was done in January. At first, rehearsals were short, but as the weeks progressed, the time of rehearsals increased. The longer sessions would reach 7:30, but they felt shorter because you became immersed in the experience.”
Performers had to attend dress rehearsals, practice dance numbers, and memorize lines. When asked what a basic rehearsal looked like Ale also commentented, saying, “They were very productive. We started by learning dance steps little by little and then put it all together. We had the best choreographers ever. It was a process that was easy to follow, and we all learned a lot.”
A musical cannot come to life without makeup and costumes. A significant amount of makeup was used to create the authentic 1980s musical aesthetic. The students’ costumes were not only extremely comfortable but also very stylish, perfectly capturing the era of the musical. However, creating quality costumes and makeup requires time. We spoke with Ale Reeves about her experience in the dressing room, and she shared, “We started wearing the costumes and doing the makeup two weeks before the show started, so the process became routine. This was one of my favorite costume experiences in a show because it was the first time I got to wear a wig. The costumes were beautifully designed and truly reflected the period.”
The show was highly successful, with tickets selling for all five nights. Performers expressed their appreciation for the audience’s enthusiasm each time the curtains opened. One performer remarked, “I think this is a really useful show, especially for those who are doing this for the first time. You learn so much, including various acting techniques such as what to show on your face and body language.”
Doing a large production and undergoing extensive preparation not only impacts your performance but also fosters friendships among cast members. Ale Reeves shared her thoughts on this topic, stating, “I’ve created a lot of really close bonds in the show that I wouldn’t have made without it. I got along with so many people that I didn’t know I would ever get along with. You grow so attached to these people that once the final curtain falls, everyone is crying. We’re all kind of like one big family, and it’s a big home.”
The songs from the musical were performed by none other than the talented student musicians of the Agoura High School music department. The pit orchestra was under the stage, playing every single song live. Ale Reeves even told us, “We had to pass by the orchestra to get to the other side of the stage. Having an orchestra play with us was a very special experience and was easier than dancing to a track.” When we asked a musician for their thoughts on the overall sound of the orchestra, they responded, “There was so much energy, so much passion, and the music sounded awesome. It was a cool experience, and there was a lot of positive energy down there.”
Not only did the performers enjoy the show, but the audience did as well. Many viewers recommended the performance to others, resulting in strong ticket sales. Grace Hennessy, a student who watched the show, remarked, “It was amazing and probably my favorite show I’ve seen at Agoura. The actors and pit did so well. The costumes were also beautiful, and they had many different, beautiful dresses.”
42nd Street was a memorable performance by Agoura High School for both the actors and the audience. It was a special event that created lasting memories.
