Junior braces himself for all-school musical

Junior+Christian+Theiss+sings+Nice+Work+If+You+Can+Get+It+with+the+dream+girls.

Cliff Lawson

Junior Christian Theiss sings “Nice Work If You Can Get It” with the dream girls.

When the stage lights shine down on the leads in the 2015 all-school musical, the audience will see the intricate details of costumes ranging from a cowboy trio to a kickline complete with tailored vests, sparkling dresses–and a wrist brace.

Junior Christian Theiss plays the lead character Bobby Child in this year’s musical production, “Crazy for You.” After Theiss spent months learning choreography to bring Child to life, he then spent weeks revising it to accommodate his injury.

“I decided to go play touch football with some of the guys from musical,” Theiss said. “I fell backwards and stuck my hand out and fractured my growth plate. I was lucky enough to be put in a brace before musical, but there are some things we had to change because I can’t lift a lot with it.”

Theiss said although a few small changes were made to his dancing, the rest of the show was unaffected and will go on as planned.

“It really isn’t that big of a deal,” Theiss said. “It just looks really weird when I’m dancing. It’s like one hand is stuck in the same position and one hand is free.”

In spite of fewer jazz hands than planned, Theiss said this year’s production has come together very well. Several members of the community and faculty members have contributed by editing the script, teaching the music, choreographing the dances and providing costumes.

“We’ve had some run-throughs, and they’ve been really great,” Theiss said. “I think we are ready.”

I kind of dance like an elephant.

— Christian Theiss

Students participating in the musical began work at the beginning of September with auditions. As soon as the cast list was set, students began rehearsing about three times a week. Theiss said for his role, the work has not been balanced evenly between aspects of the show.

“Lines and music came easily, but dancing definitely didn’t,” Theiss said. “I’m a little heavy on my feet. I kind of dance like an elephant.”

Contrary to Theiss’s impression of his own dancing, his character Bobby is a dedicated stage performer, so Theiss said he has been working hard to perfect the performance.

“I’m very nervous, because if I make one mistake or trip or stumble I know people are going to see,” Theiss said. “I’m not perfect, but I’m a perfectionist. Everything has to be exactly right.”

Theiss said he has enjoyed every minute the cast has worked to create the best show possible. This year’s show is a romantic comedy, and Theiss said he looks forward especially to the comedy aspect.

“One of my favorite parts is this bar fight,” Theiss said. “There are a lot of funny parts. I won’t give away too much, but it’s going to be fun to watch.”

Theiss and the rest of the cast of “Crazy for You” will perform 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12 for opening night, followed by another performance 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14 and a matinee performance 2:30 p.m. Nov. 15. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door for all three performances.

“People should definitely come see the show,” Theiss said. “It’ll be a great time for the whole family to come out and experience a great musical that a lot of hard work has been put into. I think people will really enjoy it.”