Published: Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009 / Updated: Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009 12:02 PM
It's a tale of mousse, sequined sport coats and love in a dumpster
FORT MILL --
The opening performance of “The Wedding Singer” at Fort Mill High School was punctuated by a perceivably electric atmosphere.
Parents, students and those who simply appreciate the level of quality that Michael Dove and his young cast strive for on a yearly basis murmured excitedly as the lights dimmed. When the curtain finally parted, onlookers were instantly transported to the mid-1980s.
We're talking mousse, sequined sport coats and neon scrunchies.
And that's where this production, which ended its run Nov. 17, excelled most. Its elaborate sets – complete with shimmering backdrops and matte prints of various New York area locales – causes audience members to lose track of the here and now; the realization that just beyond the cold metal doors of a cavernous auditorium lies all things 21st century. Everything you've heard about the production value of Fort Mill High's Choral Department is absolutely true.
But what about the performances?
Rachel Tripp, who played Julia Sullivan, demonstrates an impressive vocal range as she quickly shifts from belting out epic numbers to delivering soft, often poignant lines of dialogue. Cameron Christensen is also on top of his game. Bringing the character of Mr. Hart into vivid existence is no easy task and Christensen channels his sarcastic wit with just enough gusto to eerily remind you (especially during a particularly angry acoustic number) of Adam Sandler (who played the character in the hit film).
The rest of the cast – which boasts some fifty students – ably handled their lines, as well as the relatively complex choreography. Witnessing a stage full of teenagers twirling one another in perfect synchronization is one thing, but when airborne maneuvers are thrown into the mix the bar is decidedly raised.
In fact, the only thing that emerged as a persistent issue during “The Wedding Singer” was the intermittent hissing and popping of the lead actors' microphones. A well-acted scene would, on occasion, temporarily lose its emotional and comic heft because of technical difficulties; like true professionals, though, none of the cast members let this affect them in any way.
The age-old mantra, “the show must go on,” rang true, and by the time the final act rolled around all sound related issues seemed to have been ironed out.
More than anything else – and this, I believe, is what made the experience so memorable – it's obvious that everyone on stage was having a ball. Whether it's George (played by Grant Zavitkovsky) exaggerating his flamboyant, Mad Hatter tendencies or Holly (Kalah McLaughlin) putting the moves on an unsuspecting Robbie, all of the players were fully engaged in their roles.
So, when it's all was said and done, patrons were treated to an expertly produced musical whose signature number had a whole lot of Hart.
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