Published: Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009 / Updated: Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009 05:50 PM
Fort Mill High brings 80s musical romp to a stage near you
FORT MILL --
EAT YOUR HEART OUT, BROADWAY: ‘Wedding singer' rocks
Anyone who claims that local theater is a waning art form obviously hasn't encountered the students of Fort Mill High School's Choral Department.
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FMHS presents “The Wedding Singer.” For ticket information, go to www.fortmillchorus.com for show times and ticket prices.
The department has been rehearsing for a production of “The Wedding Singer” (based on the 1998 Adam Sandler film of the same name) for a Nov. 12-17 run.
Michael Dove, director of the show and a concert chorus teacher at Fort Mill High, promises a spectacle that will rival that of Broadway musicals.
“The level of these shows has gotten higher every year. I keep raising the bar – trying to outdo myself – and then I wonder, ‘What can I do next?'”
The school's shows garnered strong community support in 1997 following a production of “Grease”; this, says Dove, signaled the start of the exceptionally high caliber performances that fans have come to expect.
And it's clear that Dove's students are up to the challenge of meeting those expectations.
Rachel Tripp, a junior who will be taking on the role of Julia Sullivan, says audience members are in for a treat.
“It's amazing. It will be like no other high school play you have attended. The music is very catchy and the show will have you laughing non-stop.”
Tripp said the hard work devoted to making “The Wedding Singer” a reality has served as a learning experience.
“We've had Friday night practices, as well as Saturdays and student holidays. The cast has worked extremely hard to learn dance numbers and songs,” she says. “It prepares you for future endeavors.”
Of course, it's also a lot of fun.
“We have had a good time and met lots of new friends,” Tripp said.
“I am honored to work with so many great directors and am excited to have such a wonderful outcome. I love being a part of a cast that works so well together while having fun. I am truly grateful for this opportunity.”
Dove looks at his productions as both a director and an educator.
“My students love this,” he said.
“They live for this. And I love it too. It's a different way to teach them different things. I have students come in the ninth grade, and they're really shy – they don't want to do anything in front of anybody. And then you watch them grow in their confidence, and in two or three years they're fighting to get to the front of the stage. It's amazing to watch them grow.
“Kids graduate and they come back. We have fans coming from all over – from Charlotte, York County – from all over. The community has just been so supportive of everything we've done.”
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