In the midst of perfecting a scene for its upcoming musical, an Okotoks private school was hit with the unexpected.
As the cast of Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School’s Big Fish the Musical sang a musical number among flashing lights and fog machines at a rehearsal last week, the smoke alarm went off.
“I thought, ‘that’s a new sound effect’ and then the sprinklers started,” said Grade 11 student Heidi Frehlich, of Okotoks. “Then we realized what was going on.”
Castmate Jacob Dowdall was backstage when the sprinklers turned on and immediately worried about the consequences.
“We thought everything was ruined,” said the DeWinton teen. “I thought we would have to fix a lot of things.”
Once the attending firefighters deemed the building safe to enter, staff, students and alumni worked diligently the next several hours clearing water from the stage.
They were just finishing up when the cast returned to the theatre 24 hours later for their next rehearsal.
Director Chris Stockton said the incident validates why he selected the play in the first place.
“The play is about community,” he said. “While the flood set us back, the school rose to the occasion. I have been amazed at the way the community has rallied around the show. We’ve kept positive.”
Stockton saw Big Fish the Musical in Chicago two years ago during a school band trip.
It tells the story of traveling salesman Edward Bloom whose son questions his larger-than-life stories and is determined to find the truth behind his father’s epic tales.
“His father tells stories that are extensions of the truth, but are so fantastical,” said Stockton. “The son argues there is no such thing as a witch or giant.”
Big Fish the Musical lasted a short time on Broadway and Stockton was eager to get the script as soon as the royalties were available a year ago.
“It’s a show about community and growing up and the relationship between a parent and child,” he said. “All of these things we felt reflected on our community.”
Last month staff and students had the opportunity to meet Daniel Wallace, who wrote the original novel, during Marti McKay week - an annual celebration that brings renowned writers to the school in honour of a beloved student who excelled in the creative arts and died as the result of an asthmatic incident.
The 70-person cast and crew were already in the midst of preparing for the musical when the lead characters had lunch with Wallace. The author talked about the story, gave insight into the characters and answered their questions.
The two-and-a-half hour show features about 20 musical numbers with songs ranging from show tunes to ballads.
Stockton, who has experience directing professional performances at Birnton Theatricals/Stage West for Kids and Theatre Calgary, is impressed with how far the students have come to put on a high caliber show.
“They will shoot for the moon if we tell them they are going to the moon,” he said. “I have learned that great theatre exists regardless if it’s acted by students or adults. It’s a testament to the content and everyone doing a good job.”.
It’s a story Dowdall has been enjoying since rehearsals began in September.
The Grade 10 student was ecstatic when he got the part of the giant who was cast out of society until Bloom realized his potential as an accountant.
“I always liked theatre and I always wanted to be a part of the musical,” he said, adding he was in the chorus last year. “I was fine with just a singing part, but acting was a bonus.”
Dowdall will be singing solo, duet and group numbers, a role he’s been prepared for since having taken voice lessons since Grade 1.
Among his favourite parts in preparing for the musical was learning how to walk on stilts, and he is eager for his friends and family, including his grandparents who will be visiting from Ireland, to watch the show.
Frehlich, who plays a woman afraid the giant will eat her cat, a member of the Red, White and True dancers and a waitress, has been in the school musicals since Grade 9 and has become somewhat of a seasoned veteran used to juggling rehearsals with cross country, coaching volleyball and band practice.
Being in the school musical has been her dream.
“In Grade 8 I told myself, ‘I’m going to be in the musical,’” she said. “I love being on stage and performing. There’s an adrenaline that goes with it and it gives you a good sense of community with everyone working together.”
Big Fish the Musical hits the stage at Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School Nov. 25 to 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 28 at 1:30 p.m.
Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased at sts.ab.ca/liveevents or at the door.
