The start of 2015 and our 2^nd semester bring with it the YLHS Theatre department’s spring musical of Bells are Ringing (BAR). Written by Betty Comden and Adolph Green in 1956 with music by Jule Styne, BAR was nominated for 4 Tony Awards including best musical and won for best Actress in a Leading role (Judy Holliday). The show revolves around a woman, Elle, who works for Susanswerphone, a phone service that takes your calls while you’re away from your phone. She helps all of the people she is on the phone with as much as she possibly can, even though she isn’t supposed to interact with them. She falls in love with the struggling writer Jeff, who is trying to finish his play the Midas Touch. All the while, Sue, the owner of the company, starts dating a German man named Sandor who begins to use her company to help sell records through his Titanic Record Company. Or is he…

This show, Directed by Cathy Petz who is on her 6^th year here at YLHS, with the help of Rod Bagheri as Musical Director and Frankie Marone as Choreography Director, have high hopes for this show. With  the next three months laid out for this cast of 28 dedicated performers, many of them seniors on their final High School performance, know that this show has the possibility of being the best production that we have had put up here at YLHS.

I had a chance to talk to the Musical director about what is different about this show then the last ones. “We have [and all around] solid ensemble that can sing the crap outta this show.” After the success that the department has had from such shows as Lucky Stiff, Guys & Dolls and most recently, How to Succeed in Business without Even Trying, the cast knows that the bar has been raised to a level that hasn’t been reached before. For the last 3 years the have been nominated for Best Ensemble each year. “It’s not about the awards though… Our job isn’t to win trophies… If they leave more joyous then when they come in, then we have done our jobs.” With the ensemble having such a large role in this show, many of the lead actors are excited about getting to do big songs with them. “With the Ensemble really in every number, it makes everything so much more exciting and fast paced.” Said Fernando Carsa who plays Jeff Moses, the Male Lead of the show. On his second and final year, he is excited to make it the best one with his seniors. “The show is definitely going to be (Bigger), because everyone is doing something every scene.”

With the rehearsals just beginning, the whole cast and crew is excited to bring the show to YLHS and show the school how much hard work goes into every scene.