Director's Note
I am so proud of the dedication and effort put forth by the students who form our high school theatre company, Ponderosa Stage Productions. "Anything Goes" has been a cooperative effort and its success is due to many people. I'm grateful for the students, staff, parents, former parents and community members who helped along the way, including the Ponderosa Grant Foundation, El Dorado Musical Theatre, parent volunteers, the Hamilton family, Ila Dubin and my talented and tireless Technical Director, Marc Dubin. I especially want to thank Marcia Stumpf, a PHS alumni, former parent and esteemed member of the community, who has been a part of every production I've done here at Pondo and is beloved by all the students in our program.
TO MY SENIORS: Happy last show. I won't forget you.
Michelle: You were behind the barn. The Sheriff lied.
Chad: I did not know they made Jelly Belly’s that taste like a diaper.
Sophie: A rag-tag freshman English class leaves a portable and does Romeo & Juliet in the theatre. Plus an awesome karaoke version of Evanescence.
Noah: Wish you’d taken drama at Pondo.
Angelo: Great smile and best tango ever!
Zach: I know your last name is Carter. Seriously.
Ben Fields: Betty, you know, in the fairytale, Hansel doesn’t actually fart. DAAAAYUMMM!! Ben, aren't you hungry? No!!! Me: I think you're supposed to build it like this. You: (Eyeroll) Fritz, I got it. Thanks, ya boi.
Haley: Not bad for a Follies Girl turned Musical Director. Polar Pops rule. Charlies Angels mode, flying through the scene shop, ripping off the Fritz apron before you stop me from running up the costume ladder. Over the years, I notice you like to make lists. And I hope you wore those Wonder Woman sweats I gave you.
Ashley: What if I’d never chased you out the door to audition for Crazy for You? You’d never have gotten to hide in a phone booth or wear an orange prison jumpsuit. “Walk like Marilyn Monroe in Some Like it Hotl” Did you just pull a Fritz face? Also, I forgive you for the port hole door, and you’re welcome for the I Love Lucy wig.
Payton: Sorry I made Jesse your date. Not sorry for that epic picture of you two though. “Program??” Making Goldilocks belch was not totally my idea. My clipboard always finds its way back. I took your costume coat because I was cold. I hope I remember to bring it back tomorrow. Never tell anyone my grocery list.
Madison: Fritzy-ography is defined as having a vision, trying to explain that vision to a group of students who then appear very confused; telling Madison the vision, who reads minds, translates it, teaches it, and makes it reality. Hammering taps onto shoes in the scene shop. Ginormous, half-eaten red and green chocolate chip cookies on my kitchen counter. Black paint. Cecily’s Mermaid of honor. Flying pillows on Highway 50 on the way to Lenaea. Mr. Toad’s wild ride to the ER while Cecily yells nonstop from the backseat “It’s HAILING! It’s HAILING!” Dancing with crew hours after cast has left. “I can make breakable bottles out of sugar!!” Can’t stop won’t stop. The best Reno Sweeney. Ever.
Smallcam: Damn lawyers. Pulling out your hair in the tech booth on a missed light cue. “SMALLCAM!!” Police and fire codes. Walking Wikipedia. Jerry Brown. “SMALLCAM!” Home Depot runs. “Smallcam: The Reality Show.” Leaving that black and grey hoodie everywhere. “SMALLCAM!” Once Mr. Dubin said “Camron is working on a project” and I genuinely asked, “Whose Camron?” Boneless. In the words of Dorothy to the Scarecrow: “I think I’ll miss you most of all.”
