The tech crew needs keys to the sound booth. The male lead ponders whether a bow tie would complete the ensemble. A kid from the school yearbook, here to capture the moment, laments the fact the AV closet is locked and she’ll have to use her iPhone. And the band — a cacophonous collection of adolescent woodwinds, strings and cymbal crashes — warms up for the first night of dress rehearsal.
Welcome to the Mankato West High School fall play, the teen version of the musical “Chicago.” In this G-rated version, Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly — both on trial for murder — vie for the services of slick lawyer Billy Flynn, who promises acquittals and fame.
Paul Christianson runs the show, but choir director Claire Baker and band director Brady Krusemark are close by. For weeks the students have auditioned, rehearsed, sung their hearts out and learned their lines. But now opening night is just days away.
The energy is palpable. How does Christianson corral it all?
“By doing just that,” he said, “corralling it all.”
Max Nessler, who plays Billy Flynn, has been involved in many productions at West. You might say he’s a veteran, the kind who knows what to expect the week before opening night.
“It’s crunch time,” he said. “This is the week that gets really hard.”
In its original telling, “Chicago” is not intended for children. It deals with infidelity, sex and violence in ways that no high school would or should dare attempt. This version, though, has been cleaned up.
“Maybe the movie is a little scandalous compared to what you can do at a high school, but the teen edition definitely toned it down enough to make it appropriate,” Nessler said. “One of the bigger worries was some of the gun violence in it. But that has also been very scaled back. There’s going to be a few things that are probably a little questionable, but we’re addressing it in a way that makes it OK.”
Tony Palesotti, who plays the role of Amos Hart, is also a veteran of both West and area community theater groups. He said one element that sets this production apart is the music.
“One thing that is very different than almost all of the other shows is that we have a live pit,” he said, referring to the collection of band and orchestra students that will accompany the show’s various songs. “They perform each song, and they’re doing a really good job.”
Abigail Harpestad, a clarinetist in the pit, said that in addition to performing well, they’re also having a great time.
“We have a lot of fun down in the pit. We’re kind of goofing around, but we’re also paying attention,” she said. “We went out for pit dinner last night. All of us together were really bonding, and it’s really fun to just see the music go with the show.”
Emmy Gengler plays violin in the orchestra. Participating in the musical, she says, opened her up to new friendships.
“I think it’s super fun because it’s people I normally wouldn’t talk to,” she said. “I sit by Abby in the show. She’s super nice. Everyone, all the band kids, it’s nice to be able to play with them.”
Not to be outdone, the tech crew stays just as busy as any of the actors. Responsible for lights and sound, among other things, their job is critical to the show’s success.
Isabelle Voss is a seasoned tech crew vet. She said behind the scenes is just right for her.
“I like participating and putting on entertainment, but I have stage fright. So no one sees me, and it’s great,” she said. “I counted the other day. This is the 12th show I’ve worked on. And I’ve done sound for all but one of them.”