Review: High Energy Fun From a Classic Movie Remake - Melodrama Comes to Newbury Park High School in HIGH NOONISH

High Energy fun from a classic movie remake. Melodrama Comes to Newbury Park High School in HIGH NOONISH.

With successful previous productions of Man of La Mancha and Our Town, the current fall musical offering of High Noonish solidifies that the Drama Department at Newbury Park High School is back and solid as ever!

Los Angeles-based playwright, composer and Ovation Award nominee, Scott Martin, has taken the 1956 Gary Cooper/Grace Kelly Western movie and completely camped it up with original music, whacky vaudeville-esque gags and audience participation built into the script. Matched with the solid and professional guiding hands of director/educator, Marilyn Strange, who has added her own slant of campiness, comedy stylings and audience participation...and you have a hit on your hands!

Bringing the entertainment to the stage is a substantial ensemble cast. Chock full of broad characterizations, solid performances, and moments of borderline-brilliant comedy moments (particularly from the Grace Kelly character played by Kaitlin Maxwell and an added character from the original script, one of three Sign Girls, played by Emily Goldstein).

Voices are particularly strong and are led by Music Director Paul Taylor (who plays live on stage and adds moments of musical stings and playoffs to bring the flavor of a Melodrama to life). Vocal standouts include the villainous-vamp played by Evelyn Rose and the stoic mayor played by Megan Masson.

A slew of Can-Can girls, chorines, and saloon girls dance in and out of the scenes and provide the "flash" of movement that bring the life of a Melodrama to the stage. Choreographer Jeff Wallach has put together a core of dancers (Lexie Becker, Olivia Boyd, Allison Martinez, Zoe Reed, Olivia Saad, May Sharpe, and Dance Captain Kylie Vincent) worthy of any g-rated Las Vegas show or Moulin Rouge.

PHOTO CREDIT: Kylie Kelleher

One of the many strengths of this particular high school theatre program is its successful technical theatre program. With a production staff and crew that rivals any Broadway production, the design aspects of this show are top notch. Kudos to Designers Kylie Kelleher (lights), Ivan Irvani (sound), Adam Dreese and the Eggly Family (set), Leah Zweig (costumes) and the dozens of members of each crew and staff!

The original movie garnished its lead actor, Gary Cooper, an OSCAR for his performance and High Noonish lead actor, Nick Glaab turns in an all-American, high energy performance with a comedic twist. Matched with him is his solid sidekick, played by song-and-dance man Colin Grumney. One sees a dynamic, modern day Lewis/Martin comedy team with these two.

Other cast members include: Miranda Barraza (an adorable Narrator and song-stylist), Patrick Schipper (the villain), Madeline Weiss, Jenna Shechter, and Olivia Saad (a trio of singing/dancing pseudo villains), Carlos Idea (Preacherman), Sam Herbert (Rufus), Samantha Demogenes (the better half of the horse), Rory Smith and Ashley Bereth (the delightful 2/3 of the Sign Girl Trio), and (Townspeople) Ira Irvani, Jamie Lily, Jake Hedelund, Noah Varav, Hunter Carter, Kobe Burton, Ava Klein, Shelby Scholle, Megan Morales, Alexandria Collins, Paige Duncan, Emily Mundy, Shira Goldstein, Jillian Cantone, Shriya Kelly, Abby Pryor.

If you are looking for a family evening out. If you are looking for high energy entertainment. If you are looking for an evening of laughs, gags, and unique vaudeville acts....run, don't walk, in fact...stampede to see High Noonish at the Newbury Park High School Performing Arts Center, 456 N. Reino Road
Newbury Park, CA 91320. The show runs through November 14th with remaining shows on the 12th, 13th, and 14th all at 7pm.

To post a comment, you must register and login.