But this year’s show will have a couple of changes that will enhance the performances.

This year’s musical is “Anastasia.” Shows will be held April 24-26 at the Fort Dodge Middle School Auditorium, 800 N. 32nd St. The shows on April 24 and April 25 are at 7 p.m. and the April 26 show will be a matinee starting at 2:30 p.m.

This year’s production will include a large ensemble cast and will feature background scenery that will be projected digitally, a unique shift for the performance, according to Choir Director Matt Drees.

“We used the projected scenery for ‘Big Fish’ in 2019, but we have not used projected scenery since,” Drees said. “This musical will also include a large amount of choreographed movement during ensemble scenes. Because of the strong involvement of the ensemble in this musical, we have worked to add a lot of choreography, which adds to the strength of the performance.”

-Photo by Allison Utley
Owen Hamlow, Melanie Carrion and Aidan Recker work through a scene for the upcoming Fort Dodge Senior High Musical “Anastasia.” Performances will be held April 24-26 at the Fort Dodge Middle School.

Last year, the ensemble cast wasn’t very involved and Drees said the choir wanted to make sure this year’s production made that a priority. That’s why they chose “Anastasia” for this year’s production.

“This show includes a huge amount of ensemble singing and involvement,” said Drees.

Drees said rehearsals are going well and they are in the middle of the busiest time as they prepare for the three shows.

The cast typically begins rehearsing each night the week prior to the first show.

The musical “Anastasia” centers around Anya, an amnesiac young woman in 1920s Russia who may be the lost Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov. Two con men, Dmitry and Vlad, hope to pass her off as Anastasia to claim a reward from the Dowager Empress Marie in Paris.

-Photo by Allison Utley
Owen Hamlow and Melanie Carrion share a scene during rehearsals for “Anastasia.” They are two of the leads for the musical.

As they groom Anya and journey to France, her fragmented memories begin to surface, hinting at a privileged past and a connection to the Romanov family.

Meanwhile, they are pursued by Gleb, a Soviet general determined to prevent any Anastasia claimant from succeeding. Upon arriving in Paris, Vlad enlists the help of Countess Lily to arrange a meeting with the skeptical Dowager Empress. Adding to the conflict, Gleb confronts Anya in Paris, intent on fulfilling his mission related to the Romanovs’ execution.

“We have had a lot of success with the live productions at FDSH in recent memory,” said Drees. “And we will look to continue that success this year.”

Past FDSH musicals have won several honors from the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards (IHSMTA).

“Footloose,” “Les Miserables,” and “Tuck Everlasting” all garnered the award of Outstanding Musical Production from IHSMTA, according to Drees.

“The nature of live theater productions is that everyone is always working on the fly. We try to build in as much consistency as possible, but stage lighting, microphones, costuming, set pieces, live musicians, and nerves always play a part in what the audience sees and hears on the stage,” Drees said. “Between all of the previously mentioned elements, there is always something that is different from the previous show that we are always dealing with.

“Our students are incredibly talented and we are confident that this production will come together and culminate in three amazing live performances.”

Tickets for the show are $5 for students and $10 for adults. Reserved tickets can be purchased online at https://cur8.com/15395/project/130301.