\u201cThe Greatest Show\u201d will serve as the 2019 theme for Harding\u2019s staple spring student production. Dr. Steven Frye, Spring Sing director and theatre department chair, said the show\u2019s opening and closing numbers will mirror the movie\u2019s, opening with \u201cThe Greatest Show\u201d and ending with \u201cCome Alive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hostess Julie Goddard said that the 16 ensemble members will play some of the iconic characters from the movie in the opening number. According to Frye, the closing for the first act will be \u201cYou Will Be Found\u201d from the Broadway musical \u201cDear Evan Hansen.\u201d Frye also added that this number will involve the Chamber Singers and other vocalists along with the ensemble for \u201ca big, beautiful number.\u201d<\/p>\n
Frye also said the development of the theme will include showcasing life as a college student, the Christian walk and a showcase of who students really are as some of the true \u201cgreatest shows\u201d of the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose are the shows worth seeing,\u201d Frye said.<\/p>\n
Cindee Stockstill, producer for Spring Sing and theatre, said she went to New York City last November with Dottie Frye, Spring Sing director and assistant professor of theatre along with Steven Frye, and Spring Sing costume designer McKay Murray to find specialty fabrics and pre-made costumes for the show. Stockstill said the show\u2019s costumes will don lots of sparkle from sequin jackets to sequin evening gowns.<\/p>\n
\u201cCause when your show title is \u2018The Greatest Show,\u2019 it needs to be fantabulous\u201d Stockstill said, \u201cAnd the look has to be over-the-top.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy song is going to be \u201cI\u2019m the Greatest Star\u201d which is making fun of the whole diva-ness of it all, taking humor in being over-the-top and being dramatic,\u201d Goddard said. The other hosts and hostesses will be singing \u201cI Can\u2019t Stand Still\u201d from the musical \u201cFootloose,\u201d \u201cGravity\u201d by Sara Bareilles and \u201cGoodbye\u201d from the musical \u201cCatch Me If You Can.\u201d<\/p>\n
Club shows are also beginning to take shape with the beginning of rehearsals this month. The club shows\u2019 individual themes vary from \u201cDalmatians\u201d to \u201cHospitals\u201d to \u201cSalad,\u201d according to Stockstill. Senior<\/p>\n
Shelbi Bridges, one of three directors for women\u2019s club Delta Gamma Rho and men\u2019s club Omega Phi\u2019s show, and Madison Ceurter, one of six directors for women\u2019s clubs Ju Go Ju, Ko Jo Kai and men\u2019s club Sub-T 16\u2019s show, both said that all the club directors have been working on their shows since last April. Ceurter said their show is aiming to engage the audience with difficult choreography and eye-catching formations all centered around their theme of \u201cAnts,\u201d while Bridges said that she is excited about her show\u2019s theme of \u201cWeather,\u201d which will involve a unique storyline and many puns.<\/p>\n