Theatre opens its season with a musical

An Oct. 6 afternoon performance of the musical is planned for area high school students at CSC’s Theatre Day. Public performances in Memorial Hall’s Auditorium will be Oct. 6-8 at 7 p.m., and a 2 p.m. matinee Oct. 9. Admission is free, but seat reservations are recommended. Questions can be emailed to theatretix@csc.edu.

Howard Barnes is a perfectly average man in his early 30s, until the day that he wakes up to discover that his life has become a musical. Desperate to escape from the show, Barnes embarks on a fantastical quest through the realm of musical theater.

According to Jeremiah Downes, director and musical director, the play is equal parts satire, romantic comedy, and love letter to the American musical.

The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes is intended for people who love musical theater, and their friends who hate it, according to the National Alliance for Musical Theatre.

Premiered in 2018, the production was developed at the O'Neill Musical Theater Festival, The Village Theater Festival of New Musicals, The Human Race Theatre Company, and Trinity Repertory Company.

Zak Wellnitz, who plays the lead role, said he anticipates being on stage to sing, dance, and act.

“The biggest challenge I tend to have with any show is memorizing the lines. The lines in this show seem quite natural, however, so this will help me memorize lines faster. The biggest reward I will get is the experience. With the help of our director, Jeremiah (Downes), I am going to gain so much experience with my singing, dancing, and acting. I will be able to learn and improve my skills throughout this whole process,” Wellnitz said.

Halle Smith, who portrays Barnes’ love interest, said this musical is unlike any other musical she has experienced.

“There are so many references for both people who know musical theatre and for people who don't. I am expecting to learn a lot especially while working with Jeremiah (Downes), as his knowledge is unmatched by anyone I know,” she said. “Some challenges with my part are creating this honest story while everything happening around me is chaos. Some rewards are that the honest story that Zak (Wellnitz) and I create is going to make the musical just that much more special and beautiful.”

Levi O’Dell, an ensemble member, said he is looking forward to learning music and choreography, as well as many costume changes.

“All of the ensemble members will be various characters in the songs and even some scenes, some of which are rather strange, so I cannot wait to see how they all turn out,” he said. “One of the biggest challenges for my part is learning the background vocals and harmonies for all the songs, as I will not often be on the melody.”

Another ensemble member, Rayne Charging Thunder, said she is looking forward to working fellow students and seeing what their hard work produces.

“Some challenges of being an ensemble member with all these other talented individuals is memorizing different harmonies. But it’s rewarding when it's memorized,” she said.

Cast

Howard: Zak Wellnitz of Rushville, Neb.

Maggie: Halle Smith of Wheatland, Wyo.

Grace: Erin Hayhurst of Scottsbluff, Neb.

Von Schwartzenheim: Jarrett Bucholz of Arnold, Neb.

Ensemble

Sophia Oladimeji of Chadron

Riley Perry of Box Elder, S.D.

Felicity Suelter of Lincoln, Neb.

Olivia Freeze of Bridgeport, Neb.

Brayden Schuelke of Box Elder, S.D.

Levi O’Dell of Chadron

Rayne Charging Thunder of Gordon, Neb.

Connor Roberts of Box Elder, S.D.

Crew

Director and Musical Director: Jeremiah Downes

Costume Designer: Pheobe Boynton

Lighting Designer: Emily A. Maddox

Accompanist: Kathryn Hughes

Stage Manager: Liz McCarty of Ralston, Neb.

Assistant Stage Manager: Josephine (Josie) Fritz of Rapid City, S.D.

Master Electrician and Sound Designer: Chris Lidgett of Norfolk, Neb.

Costume Shop Manager: Shanie Hollenbeck