MCS Theatre Club ready for ‘White Christmas’ musical

The final touches are being added to the Mount Carmel School Theatre Club musical production of White Christmas, especially now that members of the Guam Territorial Band are on island rehearsing with cast and crew members.

“Putting on a play is hard enough, but putting on a musical is even harder,” said school president and club adviser Galvin Deleon Guerrero. “On top of the normal challenges like memorizing lines, mastering stage directions, and ensuring all the sets and props and costumes are ready, you have to worry about the singing, the dancing, and the band itself.”

Despite these challenges, Deleon Guerrero is looking forward to the performances. As he puts it, “Fortunately, we have very talented students backed up by a phenomenal band like the Guam Territorial Band, so things are going extremely well. This is going to be a fantastic show!”

GTB director and alto saxophonist Vince Campo shares Deleon Guerrero’s enthusiasm. “I am very excited to see the end product between our band and the singers. It’s been really fun working with them. It’s been nice to see such dedication from these students, which is something rare to see in kids these days.”

White Christmas stars four Theatre Club veterans who have acted in several other productions. Lance Deleon Guerrero plays Bob Wallace and Markel Toves plays Phil Davis, two entertainers and drama teachers who struggle to save a school and its drama program by staging a big musical. They enlist the help of two other entertainers, sisters Betty and Judy Haynes, played by Brianna Hunter and Cathryn Javier, respectively.

For Javier, this is her first time landing a lead role. “At first it was really challenging, because I was scared I couldn’t do it, but now, I’m excited because we’ve put a lot of work into it. It’s going to be great!”

For his part, Lance Deleon Guerrero is still nervous, despite numerous lead roles he has played in the past. “I am so dang nervous. The band is great, and rehearsing with them tells me that this is bigger than I thought. I am very excited, to sing and dance and see this whole production come together.”

White Christmas will be performed today and tomorrow at Saipan World Resort. Doors open at 6:30pm and tickets are $25 for premium, front-row seats, $10 for preferred seats closer to the stage, and $5 for general admission seats. Tickets can be purchased at the school’s Business Office or at the door. However, due to limited seating, advanced purchase of tickets is recommended. For more information, call 234-6184 or visit www.mountcarmelsaipan.com.

The production is made possible with the generous support of the CNMI Department of Community & Cultural Affairs, Hertz Rent-a-Car and Triple J Enterprises, Saipan World Resort, Kanoa Resort, and Royal Travel. (MCS)