Oklahoma Christian University students will take to the stage this fall, as the Homecoming musical, “Anything Goes,” is set to run Nov. 3-4, after auditions take place this weekend.
The show encompasses a love story between a stowaway on a cruise ship, Billy Crocker and a passenger, Hope Harcourt. Problems arise when the audience learn of Harcourt’s engagement to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. In efforts to help Crocker, Nightclub singer Reno Sweeney and Public Enemy #13 Moonface Martin, help Crocker in his mission to win Harcourt’s heart.
“It will be a great show,” Associate Professor of Music Kyle Pullen said. “I think it will be our best one.”
Pullen is a producer of the show, while Barbara Berard, a professional choreographer, is the director and choreographer.
Junior Sydney May said she plans to audition for the musical this weekend at open auditions.
“It is a really funny musical,” May said. “Everyone gets confused, there are gangsters, nightclubs, and tap dancing. I am so excited. It is going to be so good.”
Senior Alex Wiggs is also planning to audition for the show next weekend. He said the musical appeals to not only students, but audiences of all ages.
“I think anyone could enjoy ‘Anything Goes’ for several reasons,” Wiggs said. “It uses the music of Cole Porter, it’s funny, it’s big, it’s showy and fast-paced. A lot of people think older musicals are old and stuffy, but this is not that.”
According to Pullen, Oklahoma Christian’s annual homecoming musical is a well executed production, with “Anything Goes” continuing that tradition. He said the cast and staff hold high expectations for the level of quality and professionalism of the show, as well as a high level of entertainment.
“It is always done well, it is the quality of a show you could see professionally done,” Pullen said. “I enjoy watching students perform to that level in the musical theater here. Often students are not musical theater trained, but you would not know it when you come to the shows. You would think they were trained.”
“We work so hard on it,” May said. “A lot of people do not realize how much work goes into it. We rehearse five-six days a week, three hours a night for a couple of months, to put on this show for three days. It seems like there would not be much reward, but when people come, [it] makes it worth it.”
May said she loves, not only the performance aspect of musicals, but also the community.
“Most of my friends at school I have made through [the musical],” May said. “It is a good way for people who are in choir and things like that to get to know each other when they are are not in class.”
Pullen said he likes the camaraderie the musical brings to the cast.
“They learn to be lifelong friends from it,” Pullen said. “I love the tradition of it. It is still the centerpiece of homecoming weekend. I like to see the growth of the students.”
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