‘Pure Imagination Jr.’
HVA’s 4th Annual Musical Theatre revue, with a cast of 50, is Nov. 15-17
“This is our Fourth Annual Musical Theatre revue,” said John McMeen, music director and HVA choir director.
The show involves 50 cast members, 37 of whom are in the musical theater class.
“In this revue, we have solos, duets, ensemble songs,” he said. “We have a faculty member from (the musical) ‘Annie,’ and we also have alumni coming back for this production.”
The performances, which are open to the public, will take place starting at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Nov. 15-16, and at 3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 17, in HVA auditorium, 11345 Hardin Valley Road.
Tickets, which are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 12 and younger, are being sold online only at https://cur8.com/19814/project/126282 #HVHawkNation #MusicalHawks
“This is a very kid-friendly show with songs from popular musicals, including ‘Winnie the Pooh,’ ‘Matilda,’ ‘Shrek,’ ‘Elf’ and more,” McMeen said. “Bring your family for a fun night out.
“Vocalists will include current musical theatre students, alumni and faculty,” he added. “Science teacher Brandi Kinkead will be performing as little orphan Annie, so you definitely need to see that. And yes, there will be dancing, too.”
For example, Aviia Hawkins, a senior, will be singing a solo, “In Summer,” as Olaf from “Frozen.”
“I’m real excited because this is my first solo,” she said. “Last year, I did a duet.
“I’m in the class for the experience,” Hawkins added. “I really love the class, and it’s so much fun when you’re friends with everyone.”
“I think it’s super-duper fun,” said Jaylon Carey, a junior who will be singing a solo, “Hola, Lola,” as Edwina from “Dear Edwina Jr.” “I love doing musical revues because they are really choreographed heavy. I love all the dancing.
“It’s a good way to expose yourself to different musicals you might not have known about,” she added about being part of the revue.
Haven’t heard of “Dear Edwina Jr.” before? “I’m really excited to try something new and not be on stage alone,” Carey said. While doing her solo, there will be dancing around her.
Like Hawkins, she hopes to gain more experience.
Anderson Rast, a senior, is going into his second year with musical theater. He will be singing “Pure Imagination” as Willy Wonka from “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.”
“I think it’s really fun,” Rast said about his character. “I’m excited to put my own spin on the character … see how people react each night.”
Rast added he is hoping to get more experience in the general theater arts aspect of the class.
“I really want to go into sound design, so I think this is a great gateway into that,” he said.
“The choreography has been super challenging for the students,” McMeen said.
Some of the songs include “Revolting Children” from the musical, “Matilda Jr.,” and “Freak Flag” from “Shrek Jr.”
“We do this fall revue to help make money for our spring show,” McMeen said. “So we do this as an introduction to the musical theater class and also to fund the spring musical.
“Some of the kids who are new in the class, this is a chance to get their feet wet with dancing and singing and figure out where they belong in the class and on the stage,” he added.
