The lights brighten on the stage in the Clarkston High School Performing Arts Center as young actors dance while rehearsing the opening scene of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II’s “Carousel.”
The community can attend performances on Feb. 25, 26, 27 at 7 p.m. or enjoy a matinee performance on Feb. 27 at 2 p.m.
“It is a story about redemption,” said Luke Hodgson. “It focuses on the love between a carousel operator named Billy Bigelow and a young woman named Julie Jordan. Essentially it displays the beauty and the tragedy in life and how people manage to survive through it.”
Hodgson steps into the role of Billy Bigelow who falls in love and marries Julie.
“It takes Billy out of his comfort zone and really displays his strengths and weaknesses,” he added. ‘His story throughout the show is his quest to become a better man.”
He explained Billy is a dynamic character and, like a lot of characters in the show, has a lot of depth.
“It makes it fun to play but it is also a challenge,too,” Hodgson said.
Marisa Daigle steps into the role as Julie Jordan, who at the beginning of the show is a 16-year-old who keeps to herself.
“She doesn’t like to open herself up to Billy, but as the show progresses she shows him who she is and becomes more independent,” Daigle said. “She stands up for who she loves and what she loves. I can relate to her in that way so it is fun playing her.”
Sam Carter plays Carrie, Julie’s best friend, who falls in love and marries Enoch Snow, played by Andrew Biggs.
“Carrie is the comic relief of the show,” Carter smiled. “I find her a hoot. She’s hilarious. Even though it is a little bit of old speech you really get the comedy.”
She added the show also portrays the ups and downs of their lives and how their friendship evolves as their paths go different ways.
Enoch Snow starts as a fisherman captain and turns into a business entrepreneur by the end of the show.
“I am very dorky and kind of a weird character but also stern,” said Biggs, who added it is interesting to play Snow. “Last year I played a very stern 1960s dad and this year it’s a little different. It’s more me. I am acting how I would if I was a dorky dad.”
Alyssa Harbaugh plays the role of Nettie Fowler, a woman who runs the wharf where the carousel and the musical takes place.
“She is a very maternal figure to everyone in the cast,” said Harbaugh. “She can be very assertive and very take control. She also has a softer side which definitely shows with all of her interactions with Julie. She understands Julie’s life and has gone through the same things. She is there to make sure nobody loses their way.”
She added it is interesting to play Nettie because she hasn’t had to play age in a while.
“It’s been a learning experience, as every role is,” Harbaugh said. “What I like about playing Nettie is I can vocally get a lot closer to how I like to sound. In an older role you have more freedom to make your voice sound older and you don’t have to change things about it to make it sound older.”
For seniors Biggs, Hodgson, Kristen Abraham, Hayley Cascone and Ryleigh Kuhn it is their fourth and final musical at Clarkston High School.
“It is bittersweet,” Hodgson admitted, adding it is cool to see how the group has grown over the years.
“It is really sad,” said Cascone. ‘Sometimes in certain scenes you will be like we are all together right now but it won’t be like this after this year.”
“We have stayed close,” said Kuhn.
They shared over the years they have grown on and off of the stage being part of drama club.
“I am more comfortable in my own skin,” Kuhn said, adding theater director Jeff Tice pushes them to do their best.
The seniors agreed Tice, Amy Seaman, Michael Peterson and all of the Clarkston facility have been supportive.
“It is more of a character growth than anything,” said Hodgson. “It’s a comfortable environment to really express yourself.”
Not only is this the last musical for the seniors but also for Tice, who retires at the end of the school year.
“He is a senior with us,” Biggs smiled.
“Sometimes I can see him looking on stage,” said Cascone. “We all know his looks like ‘that’s good.’ He has those looks more than others lately. He is really letting it sink in.”
She added they are trying to be a legacy for Tice.
“It’s sad it’s Mr. Tice’s last year,” said Carter. “He’s a great teacher and a great person. Not only is he connected to you as a teacher, but he connects to you as a person and he cares about your problems and what is going on in your life.”
“I feel honored to be chosen as one of the leads in his last show,” said Daigle. “It is also sad because next year we won’t have the opportunity to work with him.”
The cast invites the community to come out and watch the show.
“It’s a really funny show,” said Abraham. “It has a lot of different elements.”
“It’s a show that will make you laugh, cry and think,” Hodgson added. “It’s a well-balanced show. You won’t be overloaded with one thing. It really has a strong message to share and I think the community will enjoy.”
“You really get attached,” Daigle said.
Performances are Feb. 25, 26, 27 at 7 p.m with a matinee performance on Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. They are available at www.centerstageticketing.com/sites/clarkstonhigh and through the box office, 248-623-4024.