By Rachel Kalina
In June, student performers worried that they would no longer be able to stage a musical to match the quality of other productions in recent years due to the loss of their long-time director. At their recent "Damn Yankees" dress rehearsal, however, it was clear that this musical, too, would be a winner.
At the Nov. 13 dress rehearsals, students wore costumes - some over their regular clothes - to make sure they were properly prepared for Thursday through Sunday's performances. Gene Forman, who replaced 10-year musical director Kevin Harrington this term, was busy putting the final touches on his Baldwin debut. He was a picture of perpetual motion, pacing back and forth backstage, onstage and in the auditorium, encouraging the actors, checking out the scenery from afar, instructing the stage hands.
Forman's first musical in Baldwin was a test of sorts, after students, their parents and the community were not only reluctant to let Harrington leave, but adamant that it would be near impossible to replace him with someone of similar talent.
At a June Board of Education meeting, no fewer than 25 students and half as many parents took turns speaking on Harrington's behalf. Harrington had decided not to reapply for the 2006-07 district musical director position, though he offered no explanation. Parents speculated that he was not getting support from colleagues - a sentiment with which the board vehemently disagreed - or that his additional task as English chair in the middle school did not allow him to enough time elsewhere. No matter what the case, one thing was sure: The community wanted to maintain the quality of its theatrical productions, which were praised even by other districts.
During Harrington's run, students mounted productions of "Seussical," "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown," "Annie" and, most notably, "Ragtime." In 2004, Baldwin was the first high school in the country chosen by Music Theater International to present "Ragtime," which is known for its complex staging.
With such large shoes to fill and so much turmoil in the district, Forman hoped to prove himself by putting on a play that would not only match the community's expectations, but exceed them.
"It's been really easy," senior actress Summer Hill said of the transition. "Mr. Forman is so cool. [Harrington and he] are so different. It's one extreme and another, but they're both great. Mr. Forman likes to work on details first," she said, explaining that Harrington would do the opposite when directing.
Hill, who has been in three of Harrington's plays, played the role of Lola in "Damn Yankees," a musical comedy set in the 1950s. It focuses on the Washington Senators baseball team and a man who makes a deal with the devil to go back in time and have another chance at a different life. Lola is one of the devil's accomplices.
Though Hill said she plans to pursue a career in law rather than theater, she said her theater training can't help but be a benefit. "I see it as being onstage, because you have to sell your story to the judge," she said, imagining her future as an attorney.
Other students echoed Hill's praise of Forman. "Things have been going really well," said senior Stephanie Letzler, who also had a major role in "Damn Yankees." "Mr. Forman has a great sense of humor. I feel we definitely have maintained the same quality as we did before, even though it's a little different."
Letzler acted in Harrington's plays as well, including "Ragtime." Although, like Hill, she acts for fun, she dedicated about 10 hours a week to "Damn Yankees" rehearsals. Auditions were held the second week of school, and rehearsals began shortly thereafter.
No matter what might happen during the performances of "Damn Yankees," Letzler said, she would be happy if "everyone gets focused and excited. Even if people mess up their lines and everyone still gets excited, it's a success."
Senior Jason Levy, who agreed with Hill that Forman was more detail-oriented in his methods, said he could feel the transition between the directors, having also acted in Harrington's plays. But as far as Forman's ability to directing a high-quality play is concerned, Levy agreed with Hill and Letzler. "I think we are going to see a betterment of the production values and professionalism in the play," he said.
