Behind the Curtains: BCHS’ Musical Cyrano de Burgershack Takes Center Stage

A+photo+of+the+cast+of+Cyrano+de+Burgershack+doing+their+bows.

Heather Prichard

A photo of the cast of Cyrano de Burgershack doing their bows.

Riley Emanuel, Editor

As Bourbon County’s second semester rolls around, the spring musical kicks into action. The musical is something the theater department looks forward to all year. Directors Carl Willoughby and Rachel Poe decided toward the end of November that they would be putting on a modern version of the french play, “Cyrano de Bergerac” titled: “Cyrano de Burgershack.” The synopsis states– “Cyrano is king of the local Burger Shack, but he can’t seem to win the love of his best friend, Roxanne. When Roxanne confesses her crush on the new burger-flipper, Christian, Cyrano decides that playing Cupid is better than sitting out of the game.” This new modern-day, rollicking musical features hit contemporary pop songs that will have audiences cheering. 

Some of the songs that were featured were: Allstar, Call Me Maybe, Crazy for You, Firework, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, and Just The Way You Are. A few of the songs were sung as a solo while others were done as a group performance. Bourbon County High School posted play auditions on social media platforms. The post contained information regarding how to audition and when they were due. By December 12, 2022, the results were posted via the remind app. A cast meeting was held on December 16, 2022, where students received their scripts. The directors informed them to memorize over Christmas break and when they start rehearsal on January 3, 2023. Practice ran for about two and a half months every Monday through Friday from 4:45 to 6:15. 

Around late January, performance dates were released. Cast members would be performing from March 7 to March 11, 2023. The first few days were for the students to watch, while the rest were for the public. On the evening of March 10, 2023, the directors hosted a reception in the high school cafeteria. Unfortunately for the drama department, this production would be Mr. Willoughby’s last. The reception was an appreciation for the last 25 years he’s given to theater. Everyone who has been a part of the musicals since 1997 was invited to the Friday night show. The cafeteria was decorated with sets, props, and costumes from previous years. Yearbooks and cast t-shirts have been provided since 1997 as well. It was a bittersweet experience for current and past students in attendance. The show received good ratings from audiences of all ages. Parents and children who came to see the show had lots of fun watching the enjoyable cast perform. Older generations seemed to have lots of fun with the theme of the show. Overall, Cyrano de Burgershack was a success and the spring high school musical was a hit in the community.