The adjudicators from the Texas Thespian state festival evaluated the play during the Saturday afternoon to focus on student acting without full set, lighting, and costumes.  It could lead to an invitation to present the production at the festival to be held on November 29-December 1 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.

“I'm really proud of the group and the overall production,” commented GHS theater arts teacher Phil Groeschel. “A musical production is a triple threat: acting, singing, dancing.”

“What can be achieved in six week's rehearsal schedule for a play is not feasible for a musical theatre piece,” said Groeschel, who had students begin rehearsing in July to educate students about the correct preparation process.  “My students will never look at musical theatre in the same way after their Drowsy experience. It's so gratifying to me as a teacher.”

The musical play – an entertaining story is about a musical theater fan who plays his favorite cast album on his home turntable only to find the musical bursting to life in his living room – will be presented during four performances on November 8 and 10-11 in the Bagby-McMahan Performing Arts Center.

The performances will begin at 7:00 P.M. on both Thursday, November 8 and Saturday, November 10. Matinee performances will also be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, November 10 and Sunday, November 11. Admission to the play is $8 for adults, $6 for students, and free for children aged 6 and younger.

Starring are Blake Bergeman and Natalie Willingham, with Hailey Williams in the title role. Other cast members are Breck Bradshaw, Cody Bridges, David Broberg, Preston Chapman, Hailey Hart, Kyle Mayes, Nick Mayes, Dakota Medlin, Nick Sandelin, Tori Townsend, Cody Vasquez, and Izzy Woods. The ensemble also includes Mandy Brenning, Baylee Davis, Kirsten Mathis, Kaitlyn Meinershagen, Gabby Munoz, Rachael Perriello, Joel Reid, and Brennan Ross.

Groeschel is assisted by Crossland theater director Krista Alcorn Holman with musical direction by GHS choir director Greg Doss and choreography by Stowaways director Brittany Freeman.