The eighth annual All District Musical will showcase student singing and dancing on November 6-8, 7:30 p.m. and November 9, 4 p.m. in the Heights High Auditorium. Call 216-320-3105 for ticket information or see details below.
Check out the Guys & Dolls Promo video here!
Seniors Michael Carder in the role of Sky Masterson and Johnna Marotta in the role of Sarah Brown.
Ticket Info.
The show’s director, Heights High Vocal Music Director Craig McGaughey, selected Guys and Dolls because this year’s group of students is very strong both in singing and dancing. “This show is a great way to use our amazing lyric sopranos, tenors and baritones,” he said. “And our dance talent is just phenomenal!”
Over 550 students in the District will perform in two casts, including 250 high school singers, dancers, pit orchestra and members of the stage crew, 100 middle school singers and dancers and 215 elementary chorus members.
In addition to learning vocal, dance and acting skills, the students in the productions also learn about life and culture. “Theater is a living history book,” said McGaughey. “Guys and Dolls takes place in the early 1950’s when US citizens could go to Havana, Cuba for the music scene,” he said. “It also depicts the changing role of women, economic disparity after WWII and, of course, love.”
The Actors
There are 26 students sharing 14 lead roles in two casts over four nights. Seniors Johnna Martotta and Evan Adeen share the role of Sarah, a head strong passionately religious crusader. Senior Miranda Coble and sophomore Callie Swaim-Fox share the role of Adalaide, a cabaret dancer in the Hot Box club who desperately wants marry her fiancé of 15 years.
The male leads are played by seniors Michael Carder and Ian Teunissen in the role of Sky Masterson, a handsome, confident and suave gangster who is a serious ladies man. Senior Wyatt Sudduth and junior Graham Ball will play Nathan Detroit, a loveable rogue who is always looking for his big break.
Johnna identifies with her character’s strong moral and religious background. “I like that Sarah stands up for herself,” she said.
Evan identified with her character’s strong will and ability to get things done. “I also admire Sara’s passion – I am very passionate about human rights and social justice so Sara’s passion is very real to me.”
Miranda observed that Adalaid’s views are shaped by the time period. “She feels that she is only defined by her man and really wants to be married,” she said. “But I totally understand her desire to be loved.”
Michael said that he is nothing like the character of Sky Masterson. “Sky is a smooth character who can get any girl he wants,” he said. “But it is a really fun role to play!”
Wyatt loved playing Nathan, a slightly shady character. “It is great to step into someone else and have fun playing a role.”
The Pit Orchestra
Fifty instrumental music students and seven professional musicians will play in two alternating pit orchestras under the direction of Heights High and Monticello Instrumental Music Director Daniel Heim. Emma Zordan and Daniel Fields are the concertmasters.
“This music is very fun,” said Heim. “But some sections are very challenging, like the fast fast-moving dance and scenery numbers. Playing in a pit orchestra give students a glimpse of what it's like to play a professional level piece multiple times. Students also learn the importance of having strong technical skills and the experience hones their music reading and quickness,” he continued.
The professional musicians joining the pit orchestra are: Heights High Band Director Brett Baker (clarinet & alto saxophone), Roxboro Middle School Instrumental Music Director Nicole Clouser (double bass), Heights High and Monticello Instrumental Music Director Benjamin Ammon (trombone), Heights High music coaches Anne Wilson (piano) and Larry Smith (percussion). The community professional musicians joining the Pit Orchestra are Mary Beth Ions and Callista Koh, both will play violin.
Stage Crew
The 30 members of the stage crew are directed by the show’s Technical Director Keith Newman. Senior Ethan Young is the Stage Manager. The stage crew is building several sets, including the Hot Box Cabaret, City Mission and sewer scenes. Also they will operate the lights and sound and move sets and props during the performance. Junior Kara Humphrey is the lighting operator.
Doug Vail is the set designer and several alumni are also volunteering: Eric Taliaferro '10 Matthew Delsanter '14, Demeiro Jenkins '14 and Michael Nicoletti '13.
Audio Engineering teacher Andrew Bennekamper is the sound designer. Seniors Kadar Husain and Carlo Francisco and junior Malik Niang are the student sound engineers. They will operate the sound board during the performances, help program the board and place and monitor the wireless microphones on the performers.
The Staff and Volunteers
Organizing and teaching nearly 600 students four shows takes many adults, both staff and volunteers. Vocal Music Director Craig McGaughey is the producer, assisted by drama teacher David Jurns. Katie Zarecki is the choreographer, assisted by dance captains Eryn Bernard, Amelia Williams and Alea Stringfield. Pat Haynish is the costumer, assisted by a legion of parent volunteers. Anne Wilson is the rehearsal pianist and music coach.
Seven CH-UH Elementary vocal music teachers and two middle school instructors teach the pieces to their students and travel to the high school for rehearsals. A parent designs the event program.
Thirty five high school parent and community volunteers contribute in many ways: managing the 250 rented costumes, mending, fitting and designing the additional costumes, managing tickets, refreshments, providing dinner for students during rehearsals and ushering patrons.
Perhaps the most important role played by parents is in transporting, encouraging and loving the performers. Heights High parents have performed in this sometimes thankless role consistently and faithfully for many years!
Ticket Information
Guys and Dolls ticket info is available at the ticket hotline number: 216-320-3105.
Show Dates:
November 6, 7, 8, 7:30 p.m.
November 9, 4 p.m.
Ticket prices: $10 for Dress Circle and Mezzanine, $6 for Orchestra and Balcony
All shows are in the Heights High Auditorium.
Tickets are available from:
- Any high school cast member
- The Heights High main office, M-F starting October 13.
- Outside the school’s auditorium door on the following days:
- October 20 - 23, 7 - 9 p.m.
- October 27 - 30, 7 - 9 p.m.
- November 3 - 5, 7 - 9 p.m.
-Elementary School families can purchase tickets from their student’s music teacher