By Tracy Ouellette
Editor
The East Troy High School drama students putting on a production of “Sugar” this weekend for their spring musical.
The rollicking-fun play is based on the based on the film “Some Like It Hot,” which was adapted by Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond from a story by Robert Thoeren and Michael Logan.
The 1959 movie starred Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon.
The play at the High School is directed by Deb and Phil Williamson. With musical direction for the orchestra provided by Riley Roberson. Vincent Sauer is the accompanist.
In the musical, two unemployed musicians, bass player Jerry and saxophone player Joe, witness the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in Chicago. In order to escape gangster Spats Palazzo and his henchmen, they dress as women and join Sweet Sue and Her Society Syncopaters, an all-female band about to leave town for an engagement at a Miami Beach hotel.
Complications arise when Joe, now known as Josephine, falls in love with beautiful band singer Sugar Kane, who has a slight drinking problem that tends to interfere with her ability to choose a romantic partner wisely. More than anything, Sugar wants to marry a millionaire, prompting Joe to disguise himself as the man of her dreams. (wikipedia.org)
“There’s lots of crazy antics going on,” said Deb Williamson. “Lots of fun stuff – gangsters, guys and girls, love interests … and great costumes.”
There are about 50 students involved in the production between the cast and crew and they say they are having a blast with the play. Between the music, fun scenes and cross-dressing, they are enjoying every minute.
“I love all the beautiful dresses I get to wear,” said Tyler Fridley, who plays Jerry and his cross-dressing alter ego Daphne.
Michael Lois, who plays Sir Osgood said the best part was the fact that he gets to flirt with his best friend (Fridley) since Osgood falls for “Daphne.”
Cast members and their parts are: Joe/Josephine, Abe Oxley-Hase; Jerry/Daphne, Tyler Fridley; Sugar Kane, Emma Chojnacki; Sweet Sue, MaiLei Meyers; Miss Bienstock, Emily Prange; Sir Osgood, Michael Lois; Spats Palazzo, Jacob Thoreson; Dude, Shaun Raymond; Knuckles Norton, Trevor Kent; and First Hood, Cassandra Cartmill.
Girls band members are: Mary Lou, McKenna Farmer; Rosella, Lexi Mitchell; Delores, Lori Heinemann and Olga, Annie Heffernan.
Chorus members include: Alex Schmieden, Teagan Oxley-Hase, Natalie Mengel, Grace Christiansen, Sean Canavan , Jared Paullin, Jordan Paullin, Kelli Larsen, Matt Fox, Amaya Bisabarros-Hudoc, Katrina Schell, Clark Hudac and Ashley Schroepfer.
Pit orchestra includes: Clark Hudec, flute; Megan Weimer, oboe; Trevor Kent, clarinet/tenor saxophone; Robert Billin, clarinet/baritone saxophone; Riley Reuter, trumpet; Mark Schmidt, trumpet; Anna Molloy, trumpet; Julianna Wojtowicz, horn; John Radloff, trombone; Ron Christiansen, trombone; Vinny Sauer, piano; Mark Jones, bass; Charlie Housh, drums.
Crew: Stage Manager Brooke Bartlett, Josh Marschke, Randy Rafa Todd, Courtney Johnson, Katie Kraus and Nicholas Nolting. Show times for “Sugar” are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday, at East Troy High School, 3128 Graydon Ave. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students.
