Audiences 'Can't Help Falling in Love' with MacArthur Musical

Heartfelt, comedic and seductive, MacArthur High School's portrayal of a rebellious musician's whirlwind trip through a small, podunk town in "All Shook Up" was more Great White Way than high school play.

The school's spring musical, originally produced for Broadway, translated seamlessly to the small stage as MacArthur's talented vocalists sang and danced their hearts out to the catchy tunes of Elvis Presley.

A student pit orchestra, lovable characters and frequent costume and set changes helped keep the Shakespeare-based storyline alive and kicking.

Producer Carisa Rhatigan said the cast started rehearsing in December. Their hard work culminated in three successful performances for the public on Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the MacArthur High School auditorium after a special show for senior citizens last Wednesday.

"The final result was phenomenal," said Rhatigan. "The senior citizens we performed for especially loved the show."

The final curtain call was bitter-sweet for senior Lisa Stockman, who played the lead female role of Natalie, a small-town tomboy who falls in love with bad boy Chad, played by Damon Evans.

Stockman has been landing starring roles in MacArthur productions since she was in sixth grade, when she was called up from middle school to play JoJo, the mayor's daughter in "Seussical the Musical". 

"Having the greatest time of my life in that show, I was motivated to pursue theater once I was actually at the high school," Stockman said.

She went on to perform in "Once on This Island", "Into the Woods" and "Flight of the Lawn Chair Man" in her freshman, sophomore and junior years at MacArthur.

"These shows, and the long rehearsals where I've had to truly become acquainted with the characters whom I portrayed, have helped me drastically improve as an actress, singer and dancer," Stockman said. "Hearing myself sing certain songs with some difficulty, feeling myself struggle to fully understand a character's intention during a scene and seeing myself stumble during a pirouette turn, I've had to push myself the extra mile so that I wouldn't let myself or my fellow cast members down."

Although the cast and crew were thrilled with the final result, there were some bumps in the road while rehearsing for "All Shook Up", Stockman admitted. 

The last few weeks leading up to opening night were a struggle, she said, as lines weren't fully memorized and costumes, pitches, blocking and choreography still needed work.

"But at the last few rehearsals, everything came together," she said. "It was truly magical. Our shows were just amazing, filled with immense energy and passion from every single person in that cast."

For Stockman, the most challenging part of the play was transforming into Natalie's male alter-ego, Ed, when her character pretends to be a man to get closer to "guy's guy" Chad.

While singing a solo, Stockman had to smear a black make-up beard on her face and change into jeans and a leather jacket.

"Your mind is pulled in so many directions," she said. "You have to focus on staying on pitch, while getting into the proper costume and make-up as quickly as possible-- all in front of an audience. It was an intimidating yet extremely thrilling challenge."

Stockman will attend SUNY Binghamton in the fall, where she will pursue a degree in nursing while continuing to audition for school musicals.

Her ultimate goal is to become a Broadway performer, but she will never forget the school and the people who first sparked her interest in show business.

"While MacArthur's shows have truly changed me on a personal level in respect to my talent, they have also provided me with something else truly wonderful: a family," she said. "The lively, exuberant kids that I have performed in the school musicals with over the past few years have grown to be a huge part of my life."