By Vicki Birmingham and Meghan Kelly
Three girls in green fringed dresses come out from behind the curtain, dancing feet and singing voices at the ready.
It’s the beginning of the second act at rehearsal for Morristown High School’s fall drama, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Director Joe Wohlgemuth sits in the front row, shouting to the tech crew in the balcony to check the girls’ headsets.
The rest of the cast can be heard chattering behind the curtain, placing props and getting back into costume after a dinner break. The auditorium is abuzz as the spot lights are tested and the musicians warm up.
“The play this year takes place in the 1920s,” says senior Darren Rabinowitz. “It’s a story about two lovely ladies and how they have this crazy voyage, lose all their money and still keep their hopes up.”
When most people think of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, a glamorous Marilyn Monroe singing Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend comes to mind.
An equally glamorous MHS cast and crew have re-made the iconic show in their own image. Set in the Roaring Twenties and accompanied by period music (sorry, no diamonds), the director has helped create an enrapturing story of two friends on a whirlwind adventure to Paris and love.
Noelia Mann plays Lorelei, the well-meaning but grammatically confused blonde, and Carolina Alvarez provides some down-to-earth sense as Dorothy, the savvy brunette who keeps Lorelei in check. The girls go through a series of quirky mishaps, bringing them in contact with the rich heir Henry Spoffard (Eric Sturm), his aging mother (Caitlin Barnett), and her fierce caretaker Ms. Chapman (Rachel Caretta).
Other notable characters are Lorelei’s feminist aunt Dolly played by Gloria Bangiola, Lorelei’s doting father played by Miles Rogers, and the starving artist Sam played by Daniel Dones.
The play is narrated by three flapper singers (Hailey Gilbert, Madeline Dean, Estefania Giraldo), guided by musical director Skip Yingling.
This is the cast and crew’s last week to perfect their lines, cues and maneuvers before opening night. It’s called “hell week.”
“This week is killer,” says Alvarez, a junior. “We practice from 3 o’clock to at least 10 o’clock each day.”
The seniors in the theater program are pros by now, used to the busy schedule of “hell week.” But for freshman Arianna Smith, everything about the process is new.
“It’s interesting and I like it,” Smith says with a smile. “I feel really lucky. I’m with so many talented people and it’s been a great experience so far.”
The show debuts for senior citizens on Thursday afternoon and opens for the general public on Friday, Nov. 16, at 7:30 pm, with additional performances Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 3 pm. Tickets are $10.
Vicki Birmingham and Meghan Kelly are students at Morristown High School.
