Bayside’s New Show Adds To Theatre Group’s Reputation

By  //  October 23, 2012

'Musical Comedy Murders of 1940' Opens Nov. 1

The Bayside High School cast of “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” rehearses for the production which begins next week. (Image by Brianna Grossman)

BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – Bayside High School is known for an outstanding performing arts program and its latest production will only add to that reputation.

Bayside High’s graphic arts students designed the poster for “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” production opening next week at the school. (Image courtesy Encore Academy at Bayside High School)

“The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940,” written by John Bishop will be staged at the school by Encore, which is Bayside’s Fine Arts and Technical Arts program, starting Nov. 1.

This musical will be Encore’s 4th overall performance and the first of three shows presented by Bayside students this year.

The production is run by James Prosser, artistic director, and Alea Butler, producing director.

Prosser said he has been performing theatre since he was 4-years-old and believes this production will be treasured by those who attend.

”This is a good old-fashioned whodunit with a healthy dose of comedy thrown in,” Prosser said. “I think people respond to that sort of thing even in this day and age.”

The reason this play was chosen was because students in the drama program have done bold, comical shows and Prosser wanted to teach the students how to do a ”scripted comedy.”

It also helps that it has roles for five girls and five boys and the cast really wanted something light and fun.

Encore members audition for the roles they want, which takes between two and four days. A committee reviews the auditions and casts the shows.

As far as costumes go, the parents of students may help make them, or they may come from the Encore costume loft. Each costume generally fits the character and the script gives an idea of what look each character gets.

Not only does the Encore drama department take part in these productions, but so does the culinary arts and graphics arts departments.

Bayside’s graphic arts students design the posters, and in some cases, culinary students will be part of the entertainment.

For this PG-rated, first production of the year, culinary students will be hosting a ”dinner and a show” offered  on the first few days that the play is showing, with limited seating.

Brandon Klenck, who plays one of the main characters named Eddie McCuen, has been into theatre since he was in the fifth grade.

He has been doing it officially since he was in middle school and has been in every show so far since coming to Bayside.

”My favorite part about acting would definitely be the bonding between cast members,’ Klenck said.

Kelsey Tousignant, who plays another main character named Elsa Von Grossenkneuten, also enjoys performing.

”I love getting the chance to play someone different each time I get on stage,” she said.

Two casts during the show’s run will be used to allow as many students as possible an opportunity to perform.

This musical production will be held at Bayside High School on Thursday Nov. 1, Friday Nov. 2 and  Saturday, Nov. 3.

Additional shows will be Nov. 8, Nov. 9 and Nov. 10.

Thursday and Friday shows will start at 7 p.m., while the Saturday shows will start at noon.

CAST A: (Shows Nov. 1, 2, 9 and 10) Haley Pasterik, Kelsey Tousignant, Johnathan Knight, Brandon Hooper, Casie Ricci, Brandon Klenck, Jordan Danel, Karlie Judin, Victoria Weir and Jacob Everette.
CAST B: (Shows Nov. 3 and 8) Toni-Anne Garland, Gabryella Calero, Johnathan Knight, Brandon Hooper, Tabitha Choma, Brandon Klenck, Christian Gwinn, Karlie Judin, Victoria Weir and Jacob Everette.

8 Comments

  1. I’ve never been to a high school performance, but live close to Bayside High. Could you please let the public know how to go about getting tickets. Thank you.

  2. Great article, Brianna!

    Tickets for Musical Comedy Murders can be purchased at the door before any show. The box office open about 45 minutes prior to the start of the show, and tickets are $7

  3. Pat: Tickets can be bought at the box office in front of the theatre. The tickets aren’t numbered, so to find a good seat, I would recommend getting there about 30 minutes before the show starts. Hope this helps!

  4. Thanks to everyone who came out today! Looking forward to performing again on Thurs. Nov. 8th!! (Just a reminder to all that this although the title states “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940”, the title is referring to the storyline, not the type of play. This production is NOT a musical, but a comedy.) Thanks again!!

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