‘Li’l Abner’ entertains large crowd

The Baldwin High School musical ‘Li’l Abner’ premiered in front of a packed crowd last Friday at the Baldwin Junior High School auditorium and had another showing Saturday night. BHS english teacher Katherine Cook was stage director and choir teacher Beth Nelson was music director for the musical. Senior Ryan Hodges played the part of ‘Li’l Abner’ and was happy with the way the musical turned out.

“I was really happy with everyone’s performance,” Hodges said. “We put so much effort into this, and that was evident when we finally put it on.”

The musical follows Daisy Mae as she waits for the Sadie Hawkins Day Race to try and catch Li’l Abner. Sadly, before the day of the race the town of Dogpatch is informed that their town will be used an atomic bomb testing ground. The residents of Dogpatch must search for something valuable in their town in order to save it.

The audience’s laughter could be heard throughout the auditorium. The musical proved to be a success.

“It was cute and funny,” junior Michaela Krysztof said. “The leads did a really good job with their parts.”

Junior Jesse Austin played the part of Earthquake McGoon. This was his first acting gig.

“I was pumped honestly,” Austin said. “I have competed in sports at a pretty competitive level in numerous states and arenas and I knew the musical couldn’t be any more nerve racking.”

The cast and crew of ‘Li’l Abner’ began rehearsing Sept. 28. With countless days of hard work and dedication they were able to put together ‘Li’l Abner.’

“When we did our first dress rehearsal it finally felt like we were putting on a musical,” Hodges said.

Story by Megan Hazelwood, BHS Journalism