Calissa Jones
Hey, did you see this, Julian Marsh is doing a show!
It’s in Variety, Julian Marsh is doing a show!
Jobs!
We’re gonna work again!
Get out your tap shoes, Francis!
Julian Marsh is doing a show!!
Only six lines in, the opening number begins, leading more than twenty teens to start an energetic tap routine consisting of a thrilling array of flaps, shuffles, and buffaloes. It’s the beginning of the show, 42nd Street, and with Laurel Highlands’ excellent Fine Arts program, it’s only a hint of the dazzling performance that will ensue.
Coming off of the rush of the relatable and heartwarming Newsies, 42nd Street wins over audiences instead with the glitz and glam of the early twentieth century. Set in the 1930’s, the musical revolves around Peggy Sawyer, a girl from Allentown, Pennsylvania, who is dying to be a part of the new fictitious Broadway show, Pretty Lady. Amidst spectacular songs and delightful dances, love blossoms, dreams are made and crushed and made again, and the inevitable awe of Broadway shines through for both the characters and audiences alike. It’s a musical like no other, filled with standout moments and fantastical choreography.
“Compared to most musicals, I would say 42nd Street strays from the norm,” says Jolene Mihalko, who plays Annie. “This show gives you the ability to see the work that goes into putting on a show in the 1930’s. It takes you through a musical journey.”
With this “musical journey,” 42nd Street transcends its title as one of Broadway’s most “classic and beloved tales,” transforming into an experience that whisks the audience into the triumphant highs and powerful lows of everyday people living during the Depression. Colorful period costumes, coupled with a live orchestra and multiple lighting technicians, bring the depicted era to life on the stage, recreating the worlds of the train station, the rehearsal hall, the Gypsy Tea Kettle, and much, much more. Between each of these settings, the cast performs their enchanting dance routines, creating a never-ending extravaganza of sights and scenes.
“The amount of effort, work, and time we have put into this show- from the lighting, to the costumes, to the dancing, to the songs- really makes this show stand out from all the other ones in the area,” says Bella Wilson, who plays Gladys.
If you're looking for an exhilarating and dynamic tap-dancing, awe-inspiring whirlwind of a show, make sure to “come and meet those dancing feet” on March 6th and 7th at 7:00 or March 8th at 2:00. Tickets are $12.