BHS one-act play to make 12th straight state appearance

By Jennifer Eisenbart

Editor

The Burlington High School one-act play production team might be on the most successful run of any activity in school history.

The one-act play – this year, it’s the musical “Lucky Stiff” – performed at a sectional competition Saturday in Waukesha and advanced to the Wisconsin High School State Theater Festival for the 12th consecutive season.

The group will compete at Viterbo University in La Crosse on the weekend of Nov. 20.

Public performances of the show are scheduled at BHS Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., with general admission costing $5.

Carrie Fidler, who is the primary director for the first time after assisting for many years, said she was “so, so proud” of everyone involved with the show.

“Taking on a musical one act adds additional layers of challenge,” Fidler said. She said that staff members Colin Galitz, Penny Yanke, Tammy Albrecht and Rob Thompson have all been instrumental in the play’s success, as well as the cast itself.

“By working together, we’ve found levels of humor and depth that I would never have reached on my own,” she said.

As for the sectional competition, Fidler said the judges called the cast thorough and solid, and that many of the main performers drew praise for both their acting and singing.

“Evaluators also raved about the visual interest of the show, from costumes to set pieces to signage,” Fidler said. “The show itself is just a riot.”

It took a little more than two hours for BHS to get the decision Saturday that they would be headed to state.

“The kids were nervous, but I loved watching them support and encourage each other during what seemed like a long wait,” Fidler said.