Massive musical
Someday he might be as famous as Woody Allen, Francis Ford Coppola or the Coen brothers. One thing’s for sure: James E. Olson will never forget his first experience as a script writer. Olson, a sophomore at North Central High School, is one of the primary writers for the “Doll Shop,” a musical production with 300 students in the cast, crew and orchestra.
The Doll Shop is a tradition at NC. The name of the musical stays the same, but each production has a different storyline.
This year’s story is about a small doll shop that could be forced out of business if a large chain store buys the lot next door. The owners don’t have enough money to purchase the lot themselves – until they discover that they can earn the money by appearing on a TV reality show.
Olson said that they start with a rough script outline, and a second committee selects popular songs for the show. Then the writers tweak the script to incorporate these songs. There have been several rewrites.
Olson said that this has been such a positive experience that he is considering a career in writing and acting.
The show is produced every three years. “It’s never the same. We always have new kids, new blood and new spirit,” said Olson.
Jocks, popular kids, nerds, drama geeks – everyone’s involved. “Everyone comes together for ‘Doll Shop.’ It’s a great way to meet kids that you normally wouldn’t hang out with.”
This will be drama teacher Tom Armitage’s seventh production of the musical. While some extracurricular programs struggle with participation, this charismatic teacher, affectionately known as “Armo,” often has more interested students than he can cast. For example, 120 girls tried out for the part of Anne Frank in a play he staged two years ago.
Some students won’t audition for a play because of the fear of being cut. But this isn’t an issue with the “Doll Shop,” since everyone who auditions gets a part.
For some students, appearing in this musical gives them the confidence to audition for other productions.
Armitage said he likes “Doll Shop” because it gives everyone a real theatrical experience. Students get to see a production develop from forgotten lines and missed cues to a spine-tingling opening night performance.
Rehearsals began the first week in March and are scheduled so that those involved in sports and other activities can take part in the show. Groups in each musical number rehearse separately, with some beginning as early as 7 a.m. and others ending as late as 9 p.m. Saturdays are spent working on the set.
The orchestra is conducted by band teacher Collins Loupe and choral teacher Norilee Kimball is the vocal director.
Elsa Pinkham, the former girls’ physical education teacher, produced the first “Doll Shop” in 1930. Miss Pinkham, as she was known, loved dancing and swimming and believed that everyone should do both.
The show was such a success that it was produced every other year until 1958. Pinkham retired in 1959.
Armitage first came to North Central in 1978. After meeting Pinkham in 1980, he decided to resurrect the “Doll Shop” in the spring of 1984. Sadly, Pinkham died in 1983 and missed the revival of her musical.
What makes this year’s show special? “The writing is especially good this year,” said Olson.