Students will perform a variety of full-production dance numbers in Holiday Inn, including tap and some partner dances. (EMILY LIU/The Sun)
Travel back to the 1940s and experience the classic story, Holiday Inn, at Camden Catholic High School this weekend.
Adapted from the popular Bing Crosby film, Holiday Inn is described as fast paced and funny, with nearly a dozen full production numbers that will require multiple students. It also features recognizable songs from composer Irving Berlin, among them White Christmas.
Angela Leone, the school’s musical’s director, had praise for everyone involved with the show, from a tech director who built a track system to help with quick scene changes, and a designer who created nearly 300 costumes, to the choreographer and students.
“There’s so much music and so much dance, that for 45 days straight, they (students) learned something new when they came to rehearsal every day,” Leone recalled. “The opportunity to review stuff didn’t come ‘til much later. When it did come, [the students] amazingly had remembered everything.
“We weren’t reteaching stuff because they learned it, retained it, remembered it … I’m excited for people to see that work.”
The story follows a character named Jim Hardy, who trades his life in a theater troupe for the simpler one of owning the Connecticut farmhouse known as Holiday Inn. Hardy invites old friends for the holidays and the characters put on a show with holiday-themed music.
Leone said she chose the show to showcase the talents of up-and-coming juniors and seniors.
“ … We came across Holiday Inn and I realized, I don’t think there’s a show more fun than this one,” Leone noted. “You’re listening to the music, going through the story, and I thought it was such a perfect fit for those students and for our group. They’re all very hard working and I thought it was a good challenge for them.”
Jack Brady, a senior on the stage/run crew, agreed.
“When I saw it, I thought, ‘This is perfect, actually,’” Brady explained. “It’s light, joyful, (it’s) got the comedy and a little bit of romance to add to the storyline. “ … When I first got here to work on the sets with the cast and the other crew members and everything, I could just tell there was a sense of joy between everyone.
“Everyone wanted to do this: They were all happy to do this and that’s what makes me happy about.”
“It’s like they throw a bomb of joy at you,” said Genevieve McMullen, a senior who plays Louise Badger. “It’s a lot of fun.”
Holiday Inn debuts March 10 at 7:30 p.m. and will have performances on Saturday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, March 12 at 2 p.m. as well as the following Friday, March 17 and Saturday March 18 at 7:30 p.m. The final performance will be Sunday, March 19 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are available at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/cchsperformingarts/4632.
