Rangeley Lakes Regional School’s Drama Club served up another thoroughly enjoyable musical at the Lakeside Theater on November 18-20. Three shows, Friday and Saturday with a smattering of empty seats left in the house, and Sunday’s matinee sold out, at $10 a piece, were a bargain for two-and-a-half hours of pure entertainment. Music teacher, and the play’s director, Erin Perkins Smith, continually outdoes herself and inspires the highest levels of excellence from her students, and proved it once again with this year’s production of Big Fish.

Big Fish, music and lyrics by Edward Lippa and book by John August, can be simply summarized as a father-son story, or it can be more deeply analyzed as an attempt by a boy who has grown into a man to figure who the actual hero of the story is, and what, exactly, makes a hero a hero. We watched Daxxtyn Williams, playing the father Edward Bloom, and Tor White, playing his son Will, thrust and parry in the ancient conflict between a father and his son. Both delivered ample evidence supporting their alternative arguments, sometimes heated, sometimes wistfully, but always superbly acted. Williams and White worked so well together there was never a dry eye in the house by the final bow. There are many more great moments ahead for these two talented thespians.

Erin said, “I chose Big Fish  because I knew I had really strong veteran performers that could excel as the lead roles.” These cast members worked extensively with assistant-Director Brittany Wetherill on their characters’ development and voices. Erin continued, “What I didn’t anticipate was that 11 of the 19 kids on stage would be brand new to theater.” Erin taught these students the technical foundation essential to understanding and working within the theater’s framework, but, also, “figuring out how to be around the same people (intimately) for 6+ weeks, how to manage your time so that you can get sleep, get your homework done, see your family, and show up to rehearsals on time, and so much more.”

The veteran cast members rounding out the dramatis personae were: senior Austin Hathaway, playing multiple roles, but most notably Karl the giant; junior Angelica Chavaree-Woodward as Sandra, Edward’s wife (what a voice!), and, also, bringing her skills as an ensemble singer and dancer to multiple scenes; junior Averie Flewelling as Joesphine, Will’s fiancée and then wife, also joining Angelica in the singer and dancer ensemble; and junior Charlotte “Lotty” Casko belted out a showstopper as the Witch.

Troy Hathaway (7th-grader) filled the role of the circus’s ringmaster, Amos, garnering many laughs with his sharp comic timing. Kylie Slagg proved herself an actress as Edward Bloom’s jilted girlfriend Jenny Hill. Niko Bellington devoured the stage as Edward’s nemesis, and eventual partner, Don Price, along with his zany sidekick, Zacky Price, played by Natalie Alves. Edward’s young version of Will, Logan Casko, left you feeling sad for a boy confused by his father’s absence and proclivity towards embellishment. Ana Orazi, Edward’s doctor, has filled the role of crew member for years during her summer visits, and decided to play an active role on stage after entering RLRS as a student this year.

Enough cannot be said of the younger dancing and singing ensemble: Ollie Sherrer, Shirley Truland, Abby Grant, and Kayla Brewer. The mentorship of veterans Angelica and Averie worked wonders and brought loud applause and cheers to the theater from each audience.

Additional notables: Hannah Snow’s enthusiasm; Elijah Mourtisen’s sense of humor; Finn Loud’s star turn as Will’s Son (scene-stealer); and Parker Smith’s mad juggling skills left the crowd impressed and entertained.

The kids would be singing a cappella without Sue Downes-Borko’s piano sounding like a symphony orchestra. She pitched the notes for the kids to hit, with the Pit Singers, the “Pitties,” providing backup vocals. Sue’s performance tightened the tension, then lightened the mood, and then heightened the emotions, all because her fingers know how to dance on a keyboard like digital prima donnas.

With approximately 100 costumes, Pam Ellis absolutely outdid herself. The RFA provided the majority of these costumes from their extensive wardrobe.

The stage setting (Janice Adler) stressed its mobility, constantly moving and spinning from place to place and back and forth in time. The stage crew had its work cut out for itself, somehow appearing invisible even as they were front and center during pivotal scenes. The sound effects were few but charged with emotion. The lighting by Justin Orazi and Rowenna Hathaway (also the Prop Mistress) was deceptively simple, dancing along with the cadence of the shifting scenes.

Year after year, season upon season, overseeing the intricate moving pieces backstage, is Millie Hoekstra. She’s the traffic cop directing the bustle during rush hour without a single crackup. If you don’t notice her it’s because she’s doing an excellent job. There are few people in our town who are indispensable and Millie is one of them.

Thanks to the RFA, Valerie Zapolsky, Diane Bellington, and its many volunteers.

Congratulations to each student who gave of their time and dedicated themself to the single purpose of creating a piece of entertainment for others to come and enjoy. For this, you are now more confident, more other-oriented, and more willing to take chances beyond your comfort zone. Not to mention the fact that you can add the “Alabama Stomp” to your resumé.

Mrs. Smith’s final words: “The best part of my job is to sit in that front row and watch them shine in each performance.” They did, Mrs. Smith, they did. Bravo to all!

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