The RBHS spring musical “Let it Be” will have its first performance May 3, followed by showings May 4 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and May 5 at 2 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center.
The audition process began in February after QR codes were posted around the school with links to audition songs and scripts. Since the beginning of March, rehearsals have been held two or three times every week.
Senior Sydney Korman earned the role of Ava, a hippie who falls in love with the character Rocco throughout the show. She said the audition began with choreography, performing songs and reciting a spoken monologue, which she prepared for by really focusing on the memorization of all the lines.
In previous RBHS performances, Korman has taken the role of stage manager and handled all of the behind-the-scenes work, including lighting, sound and more. For the final show of the year, however, Korman said she wanted to try being in the limelight as opposed to working in the tech booth. With this change in roles, Korman said “it has been an adjustment getting used to rehearsing as a performer and not a stage manager,” but she is confident both in herself and the theater department.
“I love the Beatles, and I wanted the opportunity to perform once on the RBHS stage,” Korman said. “My personal goal for this musical is to grow as an actor and a performer and to learn more about theater as an art in the process.”
Acting alongside her, senior Dawson Black will play the lead role of Graham in the musical. Black said he has been surrounded by theater his whole life, as his dad is an actor, and they spent a lot of time in Tennessee doing shows together.
The cast’s goal for this musical is to sell out one or two performances, and if they do, Black said, “I told my fellow cast members I’ll get a tattoo of a peace sign.” Because the Beatles are so important to his family, Black said he is nervous but excited to share this performance with them.
“I’m most nervous and excited about my family attending, [as] my grandparents are original Beatles fans,” Black said. “My papa taught me almost everything he knows about the Beatles practically when I was born, so this show means a lot to me and I want to make him proud.”
Director of RBHS Theater Sandy Welty described this musical as “a celebration of Beatles music,” and she encourages “audiences of all ages [to] have a good time relating to the songs of the Beatle Mania.” Both Korman and Black are excited to share their love for music and performing with members of the community.
“I am excited to tell a story using music so many people have been connecting to through the decades,” Korman said, “[and] to have people of all generations come and get to share the joy of the Beatles with us.”
Are you going to watch the spring musical this weekend? Let us know in the comments below.
