Leo Hayes students take the stage Feb 10-13
Students from Leo Hayes High School will bring a classic story to life on the Playhouse stage this week.
“Willy Wonka” premieres Feb. 10 and runs until Feb. 13.
One of the reasons why director Kathy VanGenne chose “Willy Wonka” for this year’s musical production was because she already had a picture in her mind of what the show should look like.
“It’s a fantasy,” said VanGenne. “The students don’t have to play adults. They can create these characters and have fun and play.”
Jacob Savard is a Grade 12 student at Leo Hayes. He has been involved in theatre since elementary school.
“I joined again this year and got [the role of] Willy Wonka.”
The Playhouse hosts Leo Hayes’ musical production each year. Savard is “very excited” to get a chance to perform on the stage.
“The Playhouse is usually the best part of the whole production,” he said. “Practice is fun too, but being at the Playhouse is just a whole different experience.”
Performing at The Playhouse is always a highlight for the students, said VanGenne.
“They look forward to it so much.”
The Playhouse provides a venue that is equipped for a musical, something that Leo Hayes is not.
“It is barely conducive to rehearsal,” says VanGenne. “The sound goes straight up.”
VanGenne says the sound and technical crews at The Playhouse are able to offer features that take a show to an “extreme level”.
For example, “Willy Wonka” will feature projection, something that hasn’t been done before in a Leo Hayes production.
“As good as it is when we’re in our final rehearsals, it takes on a whole new look and feel when we get there,” said VanGenne. “It is a gift to be there.”
The show is a result of over 160 hours of rehearsing and planning.
“The second week of school, we started auditions,” said Savard.
Around 1,200 tickets have already been sold for the show. VanGenne attributes the strong sales to the community’s outstanding support of theatre at Leo Hayes.
“It’s a real community event,” she said. “They advertise in our program, they come out every year and see our shows even if they’re not from the North Side or have students that they know.”
As for Savard, he hopes to see people from all ages at the show.
“’Willy Wonka’ is an awesome show and everyone should go,” he said. “For any age, it’s a great play to go to.”
Tickets for Leo Hayes’ production of “Willy Wonka” are $16 for students.
The show is part of the Student Rush program. This means that if tickets are still available the day of the show, students can get the best seats available for $12.
