High School Production Carries High Hopes

Summit High School's production of Mel Brook's record-breaking, Tony Award Winning musical The Producers opened Wednesday night and continues this weekend. The musical is about two producers who attempt to scam the theater world by designing a play to be a flop, and running away with the cash.

This production has also been entered into the Papermill Playhouse Rising Star Competition, which Summit High School plays have achieved nominations for four years in a row.  In 2007, Summit took home a record-breaking seven awards out of 18, including Best Overall Production, for its rendition of Titanic.

"Competition makes us better and makes us work harder; it makes us pay attention to every detail and we try to see other musicals," said Anne Poyner, the director of Summit High School's The Producers. "You're only as good as the best show you've ever seen, so it's important to see other high schools that do really good shows; if the kids never leave their high school, they never see outstanding performers their own age and don't grow as much as they could."

One-hundred schools in the area enter this competition, and four judges go to each performance, grading everything from set and costumes to orchestra and acting.  There are seven final nominations in each category, and the seven finalists for "Best Musical" perform in the Papermill Playhouse Rising Star Ceremony in June.  Winners receive Tiffany glass plates engraved with their names, along with a formal ceremony.

Poyner said that this is one of the "best shows we've ever done."  She intended for the kids to bring energy and excitement into their roles.

"This is absolutely the right show for this group because we have so many talented, funny kids this year and this allowed them to shine," Poyner said.  "We're still laughing during rehearsal."

The cast is comprised of 55 students, half of which are active members of Poyner's Forensics Team. Forensics is a competitive dramatic speaking and debate activity.

Though the Forensics Team is not a prerequisite for auditions, Poyner likes the way it allows her actors to grow by seeing other students perform, as well as receiving critiques in order to improve their own performances.  Poyner said that the feedback creates more polished performances while improving the voice, movement and other technical skills as well as the ability to create a variety of characters. 

"The members of the forensics team perform in tournaments throughout the year, see outstanding actors and work on their abilities, which carries onto stage," Poyner said.

Forensics Team President Julian Gordon plays one of the lead roles, Max Bialystock. Gordon originally auditioned for the role of supporting character Roger De Bris. He was the only one auditioning for that role, and was surprised when he received a call back for Bialystock.

Gordon admitted that he felt nervous and under-prepared during the auditions.  This provided him the opportunity to experiment with the role and try new techniques. Poyner called this his "best role."

"I think his energy and his love for his art come through his performance and inspire everyone else around him," Poyner said.  "He always loves and wants to do what's best for the whole program."

One of the most difficult hurdles for the cast to cross was moving the set, which Gordon described as "monstrous," and the enormous number of props that tie into the scenes so impeccably.  Gordon said that there is a prop for every scene, and if something is misplaced it will throw off the entire scene.

He described working with the number of props as "hectic."  The massive scene changes also made it difficult to run through the play smoothly. He said that he can't imagine a night where everything goes perfectly.  However, Gordon said each rehearsal has shown massive improvement.

"I think now we're starting to really realize how special this show is," Gordon said. "It's difficult to see how special a show is until you run through it smoothly; (I think) it's structured beautifully."

A personal difficulty Gordon had to surpass was avoiding copying Nathan Lane's portrayal of the same character.  Gordon said Lane's vocal patterns help attribute to how perfectly Lane fits into the role, so it has been difficult to re-create a character without Lane as the base.  Gordon described it as "Thinking outside the box while still being in the box."

Gordon said that he and the rest of the cast try not to take the competition too seriously. However, hopes are high if Summit brings home awards again.

"It draws attention to the program we love so much because I think arts are neglected in high schools a lot," Gordon said. "Anything we can do to get ourselves on the map is good for all of us; it's good for morale."

Tickets are $10 for students/seniors and $12 for adults.  Tickets are available online at www.summit-nj-online.com and can be purchased via credit card.  Tickets are also available in the Summit High School main office March 1-5 from 11-12:30 p.m.  For more information call the Summit High School Ticket Line at (908) 918-2122 or shstheatertickets@gmail.com.