That's a Wrap

Letting the audience know that "love will always find you," the full cast freezes in their final pose before taking bows on opening night, Friday, November 15.

Written by: Senior Tate Taufer
Photos below submitted by: Michelle Griffieth 

What do you get when you cross many, very talented Eureka High School students, three extremely devoted directors, and one hilarious script? You get the energy-packed musical, "The Wedding Singer.” Senior Brandon Ellis was definitely a crowd pleaser as the lead, Robbie Hart. His rocker-style vocals and hilarious facial expressions paired with his natural comedic timing kept the audience entertained from start to finish. But he also showed a softer side. We’ve all had our share of bad days, but it’s difficult to compare any bad day to Robbie’s hardships faced by being stood up at the altar by his fiancé, Linda, played by Senior Constance Moushon. This role was definitely a stretch for Moushon, but she really rocked the vocals and dancing that came with Linda’s evil, over-the-top, “psycho” character. While trying to surpass the depression and jump back into the wedding band scene with his pals, George, played by Senior Kelly McCabe, and Sammy, played by Junior Austin Grusy, Robbie meets a new friend and realizes that he’s falling for the wedding waitress, Julia, played by Junior Makayla Fowler, who just so happens to be engaged to the wealthy and arrogant Glenn Gulia, played by Junior Tristen Birchenall. Fowler’s naturally sweet personality and strong vocals convinced the audience that it would be easy to fall in love with her, and Birchenall’s dark eye make-up and slimy, sneaky dialogue made him a convincing jerk of a fiancé. But the plot really gets tangled when Julia’s friend and cousin, Holly, decides to ask Robbie out. Sophomore Catherine Argo as Holly belted out her solos including “Saturday Night in the City” to close Act I. She looked great and sounded phenomenal as she ended up finding love in ex-boyfriend and airhead, Sammy, played by first-time actor Austin Grusy. They received a loud cheer as they opened their jackets to reveal “I’m With Stupid” and “Stupid” t-shirts during “Right In Front of Your Eyes.” More complications occur when Linda decides to come back into Robbie's life. Now Robbie is really caught in a pickle. Does he go for the familiar ex-fiancé, or does he start a new beginning with the funny, down to earth, and understanding Julia who has already hopped on a plane to Vegas with Glen? Fortunately, Robbie’s Grandma Rosie, played by Sophomore Claire Raney, is there to provide support and encouragement. Raney, in gray wig, bathrobe and hobbling on a walker, had great advice, groovy dance moves and “good meatballs.” As soon as Raney’s walker was heard opening on stage, the audience laughed before her dialogue even began. Ellis and Fowler provided the audience with a sweet, convincing love story, wrapped up nicely with the film’s famous song, “I Wanna Grow Old With You.”

As an audience member, it was easy to sit back and enjoy and the show, but as a cast member, life was a little different. When asked what they thought about Friday night’s performance, Sophomore Claire Raney said, “Friday night was the best we've ever done, even in rehearsal we never did that good. Everyone on the dance scenes were so tight and spot on. Being backstage in the dressing room, everyone was so excited and full of energy. We were so excited for opening night!” Senior Miranda Stahl also had positive input. “I think we did an amazing job. Everyone knew their lines, cues, and all of it went really smoothly. We all worked so hard and it definitely showed in our performance.” And senior star Brandon Ellis commented that the best part was, “Wow, every last breathing moment. From the first time I set my foot upon the top riser waiting for my cue, it was just an adrenalin rush. It was a fun experience and a learning one, but it went by too fast!” And Senior Kelly McCabe added, “The best part of being in this show for me was the character I got to play. In the past I've always played the young overly happy but also depressed female child that ends up happy at the end. This year was totally different. I played George, the fun loving, flamboyant, girly man, who plays keyboards in Robbie's wedding band. George is a great character and was so much fun to play. How often does a teenage girl get to act like a flamboyant girly man? My costumes were over the top, my makeup was insane, and I had tons of fun songs and funny moments in the show. My favorite moment had to be singing, "Move that Thang" with Claire as Grandma Rosie! I had a lot of fun and couldn't have asked for a better part or a better musical to go out with on my senior year.” And that was also a crowd favorite. “Move that Thang” received full audience participation evident by everyone clapping with the beat throughout the song. Junior Austin Grusy also stated, “The best part was being able to spend time with and get to know the rest the cast! It was much different from hanging out with the basketball team! I love being able to fit in with any type of person! I got to see them be themselves and it was amazing! I loved making the new friends!”

Setting all the very talented students together on one stage worked out magnificently, but it wouldn’t have looked or sounded as great without the backstage leadership of Senior Meghan Morrow who made sure the scene changes remained under two minutes. Junior Matt Rohde programmed the killer lighting sequences that were very new to the stage, and of course, sound master Eric Lind capped off his final show as a senior by making sure the cast sounded amazing on the mics. But it all starts with a leader, and in this case, three of them known as the Triumvirate. Skillful and accomplished, Ms. Lowe, Mrs. O’Donnell and Mrs. Roorda directed this cast to one of the best musicals the school has ever seen. One can see by the enthusiasm, dedication, packed auditorium, and overall talent displayed by the cast, crew, and directors that "The Wedding Singer" will be a hard show to beat. 

Junior Austin Grusy and Seniors Brandon Ellis and Kelly McCabe come front and center to conclude the opening number, "It's Your Wedding Day."

Sophomore Claire Raney tallies up the number of men Grandma Rosie has kissed while Senior Brandon Ellis barely hides his disgust.

Senior Brandon Ellis rocks the opening number!

Senior Constance Moushon taints Robbie Hart's Van Halen t-shirt as she tries to come back into his life as ex-fiance, Linda.

Brandon Ellis leads Sophomores Matt Wilder and Susanna Getz, Senior Jonah Martz and Sophomores Emily Ferguson and Amanda Pippen in the "Thriller" dance as the mutants at table 9 show what it means to be a "Casualty of Love."

The cast performs for Jarad Shapiro's (Senior Eric Smith) bar mitzvah in "Today You Are a Man."

Juniors Tristen Birchenall and Makayla Fowler get some fresh air outside the dance club.