Those in show business know the saying all too well. Huntington High School actors, pit orchestra musicians and stagehands are also learning the meaning of the phrase “the show must go on” after a snowy week cut rehearsal times for Cinderella. Nevertheless, the curtain will go up for the musical on Friday night and again on Saturday for matinee and evening performances.
“Neither snow nor heat nor gloom of night stays these actors from performing Cinderella,” said Michael Schwendeman, the high school drama club’s veteran faculty advisor. “In all seriousness, due to bad weather we have lost hours of rehearsal that just cannot be made up, but nothing will stop my cast from doing their best and performing to the level the community expects and they expect from themselves.”
Rehearsals stretched over nearly seven hours on Thursday afternoon and evening. Everyone associated with the production strived to make up for lost time, bring a heightened degree of focus and seriousness to the show.
“This is my first year in the pit orchestra and I am really enjoying it,” junior Arielle Harvey said. “Everything is going well. Things are really coming together. I’m extremely proud of everyone in pit and at how amazing the music sounds. Not only am I proud of pit, but also of the cast and stage crew with all the hard work that everyone is putting into the show to truly make it come to life. I can’t wait for opening night.”
The curtain will go up on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and again on Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The cast will be signing autographs at Saturday’s matinee. Tickets will be available at the door for $10 for the general public and $5 for seniors, students and Huntington UFSD staff members. The auditorium is completely handicapped accessible.
