Part Two: Riverside High School’s Damn Yankees Cast Q&A

The Riverside High School Theater will present the musical, Damn Yankees March 30 through April 2 in the high school auditorium (information about the show and how to get tickets can be found at the end of the cast features).

We caught up with some of the leads in the show for a cast Q&A. Today’s Q&A is part two in a three-part series about Damn Yankees. Featured tomorrow will be part three, a review of the show and gallery of show photos. Yesterday’s story featured part 1 of the cast Q&A.

Morgan Myers

Part in Musical: Sister Miller

Current Grade: 10th grade

Been in musicals/plays since: My only show this far has been Matilda the musical.

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: In last year’s show, I was an ensemble member.

Favorite Song in this musical: Haha, I am of the common consensus that Near to You is the best song in the show! It’s a real tear jerker.

What interested you in this role: I just adore Sister’s wildly unpredictable and forward approach to life. It’s a tantalizing challenge to portray a nosy old cougar!

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: I like how my outfit contrasts from Doris’, my counterpart. She has lighter colors because she is generally more mild in temper. My character has dark colored clothing because she is more bold and eccentric.

What’s the hardest part about your role: Well, for me, I had a lot of trouble making Sister cartoonish and larger than life rather than melodramatic. She is quite different from the real me, so I had to change how I think.

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: If anything, Sister has taught me to be more spontaneous. It’s so incredibly important to be unabashedly confident like she is.

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: This show has something for everyone. It’s a thrilling juxtaposition between good and evil, and yet a sentimental love story that pairs perfectly with the beating heart of American Baseball.

What is unique about this musical: Damn Yankees is quite the unconventional show. It’s full of grit and unhindered expression.

If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why: Oh my! Well, I can’t really decide. I love intimidating roles that dabble in the bizarre and macabre. Maybe Mrs. Lovett in Sweeny or Lucy in Jekyll and Hyde?

What other activities are you involved in: I love of art of any kind! I really enjoy drawing and writing. I also sing in my school/church’s choir, participate in mock trails, and help out in some community events.

Future plans: That’s a difficult question. I plan on attending a university, but I am unsure about a specific career.

Kat Lubinsky

Part in Musical: Gloria Thorpe

Current Grade: 11

Been in musicals/plays since: 3

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: Happy Days, Matilda, Damn Yankees

Favorite Song in this musical: Near to You

What interested you in this role: For me this role really gets to show off my powerful vocals and my acting skills. It shows how I can play someone who is similar to my personality but not make it too much like me.

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: My iconic prop in this musical is my notepad. I am always writing what is happening down.

What’s the hardest part about your role: The hardest thing about this role is having to constantly argue and bicker with Applegate who is played by one of my best friends Jacob Storey. I struggle to take our arguments seriously because we are just too close.

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: My character has taught me that even back then women really couldn’t do anything that some of the women fought back at those stereotypes and did what they were passionate about.

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: I think that the audience will really enjoy this musical because of all of the humor. The musical is very comical and has out of this world expressions.

What is unique about this musical: The musical is unique because it is something that most people have not seen before. It is a very unknown musical.

If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why: If I could have any other part in this musical, it would definitely have to be Lola. If I were to be Lola, I could really show off my dancing skills and my strong singing voice. I would also help show that I can do characters that are not like me.

What other activities are you involved in: I am in the riverside Chamber Choir and I take dance and teach dance at Dance Expressions.

Future plans: In the future I plan to go to school for the performing arts. I am not sure where yet, but I definitely know that is what I want to go to school for. Performing is what I am passionate about and when I am out of high school, I want to follow my passion and enjoy what I do for a living.

Avery Rebholz

Part in Musical: Joe Hardy

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: Susical, How to Succeed I’m Business Without Really Trying, Happy Days: a new musical, and Matilda.

Favorite Song in this musical: Near to You

What interested you in this role: I always liked roles that I thought were close to my personality. Joe is the closest character I have got to my personality, and it really helps me connect to him.

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: The baseball hat. I have always been a lover of baseball caps since I was a kid, and my outfits normally depend on what hat I want to wear that day.

What’s the hardest part about your role: For me it would be the romantic plot of Joe and Lola. I have only seen Liz (person who plays Lola) as a friend throughout high school.

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: if I could take a quote from Joe, it would be: I’ve learned there is something more important in life than being a hero. It has been on my mind since I read it.

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: The dancing is a huge part of the show as most of the dance breaks are longer than the songs, they are in. It also has iconic music such as Heart.

What is unique about this musical: This show hasn’t been done locally in a very long time and due to its age, I think that that newcomers and people who love the oldies would be able to enjoy this show.

If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why: I would love to be play Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. The show is filled with great rock music and (growing up Christian) the story of Jesus is my favorite story ever.

Future plans: I want to be in next year’s musical and then major in music.

Jacob Storey

Part in Musical: Mr. Applegate (Aka the Devil)

Current Grade: 11

Been in musicals/plays since: 2020

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Security Guard), Happy Days (Ralph Malph), Matilda the Musical (Mr. Wormwood), Bye Bye Birdie (Reporter) (Red Barn Theater), and 1776 (Dr. Josiah Bartlett) (Center Theatre Players)

Favorite Song in this musical: Goodbye Old Girl

What interested you in this role: I was mainly interested in not only playing a supernatural character, but also a lead villain who is extremely full of himself and believes he will always come out on top. It’s amazing to also play a character so different from oneself!

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: Definitely my pitchfork! I get to dance with it in my number as well, it’s so much fun. It’s huge too!

What’s the hardest part about your role: The hardest part for me is definitely showing my frustration and rage through yelling and intensity in certain scenes. It definitely requires me to be more careful with my voice. It’s also pretty challenging being so angry with people I consider close friends!

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: Playing the Devil himself has really taught me that, in the end, the greatest power in the world can never overcome something as powerful and beautiful as love. It may sound cheesy, but it couldn’t be more true. You’ll see why in the show!

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: I think the audience will really enjoy the comedy and emotional moments in this show. There’s plenty of both between some of the main characters, and some of those emotional moments can be especially heartfelt. I think people young and old will really appreciate what this show has to offer.

What is unique about this musical: There’s a lot that could be said honestly. We actually have a dugout on our stage for certain scenes, and there’s a lot of pyro work in this show too. The concept itself is also really unique, that being a heroic baseball tale against the Devil.

If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why: A lot of my friends and family know this answer! Into the Woods is my dream musical, I’d love to play the Baker in that show. It’s a character I really relate to, and I obsess over his songs. The plot of the musical is amazing as well, I can’t get over Act 2!

What other activities are you involved in: I’m heavily involved with my school’s Choir, as well as the Chamber Choir. I’ve also participated in Mock Trial as a witness, Forensics, Honors Choir, County Choir, I’m a member of the National Honor Society, the Choir Council, and I’m the Junior Editor of the school yearbook!

Future plans: In the future, I plan to further pursue a career in acting/drama, and hopefully make a name for myself in the entertainment industry!

Don’t miss the show:

• Thursday March 30-7:30 p.m.

• Friday March 31-7:30 p.m.

• Saturday April 1–7:30 p.m.

• Sunday April 2–2:00 p.m. *MATINEE

All tickets for these performances are $12.00 and can be purchased by going to  www.showtix4u.com  – When you go to the site just type in “Riverside.”  We are located at 300 Country Club Drive, Ellwood City, PA  16117.  If you have general questions, you can contact the DAMN YANKEES HOTLINE at 724-758-7512 Extension 1264 or email the Producer at vhudspath@rbcsd.com.