BW Thespian Troupe Inducts Nine New Members

At the conclusion of the spring musical on April 30, Thespian Troupe #369 welcomed nine new students into the organization.  The Belleville West chapter of the International Thespian Society recognizes students who have dedicated themselves to the theatre arts by completing at least 300 hours of activity in the BW theatre program.  New members of the troupe are sophomore Sarah Hayden; juniors Jacob Hutchison, Kenna Irvine, and Janae Robinson; seniors Nate Ackermann, Nyemba Bryant, Chloe Frisby, Hannah Higgins, and Nathan Hirst.  Congratulations!

BW Theatre Presents Spring Musical This Weekend

The Belleville West Little Theatre will present its annual musical on Thursday through Saturday, April 28 through 30.  This year’s production is Anything Goes.

The show, which features beloved songs by Cole Porter, premiered on Broadway in 1934.  The musical has been revived on Broadway several times since then, most recently in 2011.  The 2011 production earned the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.

Anything Goes is set aboard the ocean liner S.S. American.  Nightclub singer and evangelist Reno Sweeney (junior Rachel Deschaine) is en route from New York to England.  Her pal Billy Crocker (senior Nathan Hirst) has stowed away to be near his love, Hope Harcourt (sophomore Cassidy Farrar).  But the problem is that Hope is engaged to the wealthy Lord Evelyn Oakleigh (sophomore Wade Cook).

Joining this love triangle on board the luxury liner are Public Enemy #13, Moonface Martin (junior Janae Robinson), and his sidekick, Erma (senior Bailey Guinn).  With the help of some elaborate disguises, tap-dancing sailors, and old-fashioned blackmail, Reno and Martin join forces to help Billy in his quest to win Hope’s heart.

Anything Goes features a score by Cole Porter.  The show includes such memorable songs as “Anything Goes,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “You’re the Top,” “It’s De-Lovely,” and “All Through the Night.”

This year’s production of Anything Goes is directed by Ms. Jennifer Sage.  Dr. Thomas Birkner serves as the musical director.  Both Ms. Sage and Dr. Birkner will retire at the end of the year, so this production is the final show in their decade-long collaboration.

Mr. Nick Johnson is the choreographer.  Mr. John Lodle is the technical director.

Performances are at 7:00 each evening in the Belleville West Performing Arts Center, located at 4063 Frank Scott Parkway West.  Tickets are $5 for students, $8 for adults, and $6 for senior citizens.

Belleville West Actors Honored at School Board Meeting

At the April school board meeting, Belleville West Principal Rich Mertens recognized the cast and crew of the 2016 contest play.  Mr. Mertens made the following remarks about the school’s All-State Cast members:

The cast and crew of the 2016 Belleville West contest drama, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, won this year’s championship title in the IHSA Sectional Drama Contest on March 19.  Five members of the cast were named to the All-Sectional Drama Cast:  seniors Bailey Guinn and Henry Holm, juniors Rachel Deschaine and Janae Robinson, and sophomore Wade Cook.

The show then advanced to the IHSA State Drama Contest in Springfield on April 1 and 2.  There, the cast and crew claimed fourth place in the state.  Four members of the cast were named to the prestigious All-State Drama Cast.  Belleville West had more students named to the All-State Drama Cast than any other school in the state.

Senior Bailey Guinn, daughter of John and Amanda Guinn, played the role of Masha.  Bailey was also named to the 2015 All-State Drama Cast for her performance as Margie in Good People.  Bailey has performed on the Belleville West stage in Peter Pan, Almost Maine, Cabaret, The Miracle Worker, Chicago, To Gillian on her 37^th Birthday, The Importance of Being Earnest, and These Shining Lives.  Bailey is also a member of the Belleville West Thespian Troupe.

Junior Rachel Deschaine, daughter of Marnie Deschaine, played the role of Sonia.  Rachel has also performed on the state stage in the Belleville West productions of Good People and To Gillian on her 37th Birthday.  She has held major roles in the Belleville West productions of Peter Pan, Almost Maine, Cabaret, The Wizard of Oz, and The Miracle Worker.

Junior Janae Robinson, daughter of Jodie Robinson, played the role of Cassandra.  Janae was also named to the 2015 All-State Drama Cast for her performance in Good People.  Janae has performed on the Belleville West stage in Peter Pan, Almost Maine, The Miracle Worker, and To Gillian on her 37th Birthday.

Sophomore Wade Cook, son of Kenneth and Becky Cook, played the role of Vanya.  Though still an underclassman, Wade has played lead roles on the West stage in Peter Pan, Almost Maine, Cabaret, and The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet.

All four of these actors will appear in the Belleville West spring musical, Anything Goes, on April 28 through 30.

Congratulations to them and to the entire cast and crew of the contest play!