Written by Miles Watts and Isaac Villegas, Editor in Chief and Staff Writer
Through the prestigious RUSD Honors Musical program, students from all over Riverside are able to put on a once-in-a-lifetime show.
Even though the musicals always premiere in January, preparation begins as far back as August of the year prior. Countless hours of work are devoted to this production from the cast, crew, and pit musicians all for it to culminate in a handful of performances. This year’s show was Singin’ in the Rain, the classic Hollywood film now adapted with modern acting and technology. While the production process is an arduous one, it is one that is loved and one that all members will remember in the years to follow.
For most of the program’s duration, each group remains isolated from each other. Rehearsals are held at different locations across Riverside where click tracks become a constant drone in the back of the performers’ heads. Only in January does the cast, crew, and orchestra convene at Ramona High School to rehearse in what is known as “tech week”. This week often begins with the sitzprobe, which is the first time the actors and musicians collaborate together, where specific songs were recorded to include as background music in short films present in the musical. After that, each day mostly consists of simply running the musical top to bottom with a debrief held at the end of the rehearsal. Ramona’s theater began to feel like a second home as more time was spent there than the student’s actual houses. Poly High School student Genevieve Kasinski (12), who was part of the ensemble in Singin’ in the Rain, seconds this, explaining that tech week “was definitely the best part” of the entire production since the actors had already memorized most of the choreography by the point and it was mostly a time when “you really started to get close with people.”
On the last day of tech week, a public performance is held at Ramona. Although still a rehearsal, the understudies of certain characters (such as Cosmo Brown and Kathy Selden) were given a time to shine by replacing the original person playing the harder role. Pictures were taken onstage before the Overture (beginning song) started, and it was still thoroughly enjoyed by the small but passionate group of parents present.
After the performance everything was then packed up and moved over to the Fox Theater for the final rehearsal of this year’s Honors Musical. The set was assembled, props put in their proper place, and cables and wiring were routed and plugged in to make this dress rehearsal the best one yet. Monitors were provided to the pit and all sound was set up so that the musicians could hear what was happening onstage and to eliminate as many errors as possible. This final show was also open for people to watch, but only to the family members of the production who could not attend the following day. Playing on the Fox stage is a magical one as it holds so much prestige from the elaborate embellishments throughout to its long and revered history, and watching from the audience’s perspective is truly enchanting seeing the show come alive in the ornate house of the theater. What audience members took away from the play was, indeed, a crucial part of the whole process, as shared by Poly junior Macy Bethel (11), who played the third assistant director. “I wanted people to laugh and be like ‘Ah!’” she mentioned in reference to what she personally wished for the audience’s takeaways to be from the production. Spirits were high when the curtains closed Tuesday, January 13, as everyone knew that an amazing performance was about to be unveiled to thousands of people.
The next day students still had to attend school but leave early in order to get to the Fox. Fortunately buses were provided so that there was no issue with arriving on time. The first show held was at 2:00 p.m. for elementary students and was only the first act. Despite not being the complete musical, the preparations were just as meticulous as any other in order to give the audience the best experience possible. Through all the screams and laughs (especially during a kissing scene between Don Lockwood and Kathy Selden) it was clear that the young audience was enthralled the whole time. Once all the children were filed out there was a couple of hours until sound check for the 7:00 p.m. public performance. Notes were taken, food was served, and studies ensued as all performers eagerly awaited the next showing. Sooner than later the orchestra musicians filed down to the pit and all the actors with microphones were making sure they could be heard through the speakers. Despite being both acts, each number flew by as jokes hit and stunts landed. By far the fullest house of any of the performances, the professionalism of all students amazed the audience. A roar of applause concluded the show as the exit music began which gave the cast the much needed reward for their acting. Ironically though, when asked about what she would have done differently if she had to do Singin’ in the Rain all over again, Poly junior Sophia Montez (11), who played the diction teacher, answered that she “would probably practice [her] audition […] one more time,” although every actor and actress did spectacular, including her. Nevertheless, not long after, everyone left to get as much sleep as possible to be fresh for the next day’s two showcases. With hearts light and minds excited, there was no doubt that closing night would be as much of a success as opening night.
There was no time to attend school today as call-time to be at the Fox was 7:45 a.m. With downbeat at 9:45 a.m., there was still time to settle in before readying up. This next show was also for a group of elementary school students and thus was only the first half of the musical. Just as with the first performance, the children were captivated by the talent onstage (and screamed even louder and for longer than the first group when the kissing scene happened again). With the penultimate show over, sentiment started to creep into the minds of everyone as the final time in the Fox singing in the rain was fast approaching. Regardless, stage makeup was touched up and mic check ensued for the 4:00 p.m. musical. The final audience included VAPA students from both middle and high schools who all know those on, behind, and under the stage very well. It was not uncommon to hear ecstatic cheering when an actor well known at their school walked on stage, and the applause encouraged the performers to keep the show running. This musical was both acts just like the public showcase and still flew by as if it was only just the first act. Once the curtains closed for the final time, tears and celebration could properly ensue. This whole show is one that will not easily be forgotten by anyone involved in the production.
After initial emotions were expressed and costumes were changed out of, food was served before the tear-down of the set ensued. Everyone pitched in to help get everything taken out of the Fox; microphones and cables were stored away, backdrops were broken down, and all goods were loaded onto moving trucks to return everything back to its proper place. This whole production would not have been possible without the creative team behind it all; director/choreographer Dominique Araiza-Cauldwell, music director/conductor Spencer Kalnin, producer Annemarie Guzy, and countless other professionals all poured their heart and soul into this production to make it truly a spectacle. Through their vision and execution, the RUSD Honors Musical’s “Singin’ in the Rain” was a smashing success. While this show may no longer ever be seen in person, the memories and experiences that came from it are truly worth singing in the rain for.