HHS preparing to deliver ‘Good News’ in November

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN
Hillsboro High School is preparing for football on stage as well as the athletic field with the production of “Good News,” a musical that will debut Nov. 10-12.

“Good News” is a humorous salute to college football, taking place in the Roaring 20s at fictitious Tait College, where football is more important than academics.

The students at Tait are getting ready for the big game against rival Colton College, and are confident that their star player, Tom Marlowe, will win them the game.

Tom’s romance with the school’s wealthy benefactor’s daughter, Pat Bingham, is no secret to the campus of Tait. Only one girl seems unaware of the relationship: Connie Lane, who is drafted to help Tom when he fails his astronomy test, disqualifying him from the big game on Saturday.

The plot thickens when football star and tutor fall for each other, and the school’s astronomy professor and football coach rekindle their old college flame.

But these two couples’ romances can only continue if the team wins on Saturday.

Other subplots exist, including the intense flapper Babe O’Day, who breaks up with the football team’s revengeful jock, Beef, when she falls for the wimpy, but likeable, Bobby Randall.

“Good News” premiered on Broadway in 1927 and was later adapted for film, first in in 1930, and more successfully in 1947. The popular revised version of “Good News” was written in 1993 by Mark Madama and Wayne Bryan for the Music Theatre of Wichita. This musical features many popular songs, including “Varsity Drag,” “Button Up Your Overcoat” and “Keep Your Sunny Side Up.”

The cast for the HHS rendition is: Andrew Bina as Tom Marlowe; Danielle Hagen as Connie Lane’ Justin Moore as Coach Bill Johnson; Laura Lindsay as Professor Kenyon; Emily Bebermeyer as Babe O’Day; Kyle Kroeker as Bobby Randall; Darren Enns as Beef Saunders; Jenny Whisenhunt as Patricia Bingham; Adam Dirks as Pooch Kearney; Elissa Richert as Lucy; Jenny Terrell as Jane; Carrie Schroeder as Flo; Melissa Hiebert as Millie; Jessica Kelly as Janet; Alysha Claassen as Corta; Robert Jost as Ticket Taker; Peter Fast as Windy; Clinton Schneider as Slats; Michael Suderman as Grubs; Tyler Suderman as Lefty; Alex Jost as Sylvester; Aaron Stepanek as Announcer.

Also, Ben Heyen, Josh Kenney, Michael Klaassen, Aaron Stepanek, Michael Suderman, Tyler Suderman, David Vogel, David Winter play football players and JuliAnne Chisholm, Jessica Elliott, Jessica Heidel, Meghan Jost, Hannah Marsh and Andrea Jost play cheerleaders.

Playing sorority coeds are Jessica Allen, Victoria Bichet, Sarah Heidel, Evana Holtsclaw, Cassie Kroeker, Melissa Lieder, Maria Loewen, Rebecca Pankratz, Caitlin Reimer, Heidi Schroeder, Jet Skiles, Jennifer Tucker, Kelsey Unruh and Anna Woelke.

The musical is directed by Lynn Just and the assistant director is Terry Bebermeyer. Accompanists are Karla Talgenov on piano and Mitchell Koop on drums.

“Good News” will be performed at 7 p.m., Nov. 10, 11 and 12 in the HHS auditorium. Tickets are $5 and can be reserved at the high school office by calling 947-3991.

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