Annie Get Your Gun
 1978:1992:2002
Brigadoon
 1969:1984
Carnival
 1982
Crazy for You
 1999
Fiddler on the Roof
 1996
Funny Girl
 1973
George M!
 1976:1987:2000
Good News!
 2004
Guys and Dolls
 1979:2003
Hello, Dolly!
 1972:1985:2007
Li'l Abner
 1980:2005
Mame
 1988
Music Man, The
 1970:1977:1989:1998
My Fair Lady
 1997:2008
No, No, Nanette
 1975
Oklahoma!
 1974:1993
Pajama Game, The
 1990:2001
Show Boat
 1981:1991
Sound of Music, The
 1971:1986:1994
South Pacific
 1983:1995: 2006 

LOOKING BACK
by Myrlene Kennedy

The first two shows, 1969 Brigadoon and 1970 The Music Man were presented in the auditorium at the present junior high school.

However, before we go on let's go back to 1967 when the idea of a musical was born.

Director History

 
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In the spring of '67, a program written and directed by Dale Swanson called Hysterical History, was presented in the high school auditorium. During a rehearsal, standing under the covered walkway behind the auditorium, I was talking with Bette Hopper, Nyda Williams, Sue Evans, and others whose names slip my mind, when the musical topic came up. The conversation went something like this. Nyda: "Why don't we do a musical?" Myrlene Kennedy: "I've always wanted to do Brigadoon. I love the music, but I'm not sure we could do it." Bette: "Why not?" The subject was dropped for the time being, but the words "Why not?" would become the legacy of the Friendswood High School musical. In 1968 Jerry Sedatole was hired as the band and choir director. During the '68 year, a musical was discussed by Mr. Sedatole and James Feuge. The script for So This Is Paris was ordered; however, the show was never completed. In May, Jerry came to me and asked if I would work with him the following year on a musical. I didn't answer at that time, so in the fall he asked again, and this time I told him we would see. He was persistent, I eventually said yes. The FHS musical was born. 

Brigadoon, 1969
The first show Brigadoon, with a cast of 53, played on a Thursday and Friday night in late March, to standing room only crowds. Remember, the auditorium only seated about 275. Due to demand, we added a performance on Monday night. Bette Hopper was the accompanist; the parents built the sets made of 1x4's and cardboard boxes, and the art teacher, Glenna Colopy, and her students helped paint sets.We did not have dressing rooms inside the auditorium, so the students had to dash out to the home economics building (Data Services today) for changes. 
The Music Man, 1970
With the success of Brigadoon, we decided to do The Music Man with a cast of 45 the following year, 1970. We added a Saturday night performance. The sets went from cardboard to canvas and wood. The front of the Paroo house was borrowed from Dr. Homer Springfield and the drama department of Pearland High School. Dr. Springfield was always there to offer assistance in the early years of the FHS musical. This would be the last show in the junior high auditorium.  
The Sound of Music, 1971
1971 was a big year for us. We moved to the present high school campus. The auditorium itself presented a tremendous change. Our third production would be The Sound of Music with a cast of 50.We changed to our present program format; we added a pit band which played only the Entr'acte and selected change of scene numbers. The sets offered another big change. They were more elaborate, but they caused big problems when it came time to change scenes.If you were here, you'll remember extremely long set changes. Doc Springfield and the Pearland drama department cam to our rescue once again with stained glass windows for the wedding scene. 
Hello, Dolly!, 1972
Hello, Dolly! would prove to be a big success for us in 1972. We would have professionals run the sound system, and we would have an elaborate communication system, thanks to Southwestern Bell and the help of some local, between our light and backstage people. 
Funny Girl, 1973
In 1973 with Funny Girl, we added the second weekend but only a Sunday afternoon performance. Mrs. Ruby Ross, history teacher, added her touch and helped with rehearsals when I was unable to attend due to obligations relating to work toward exams for my Ph.D. 
Oklahoma!, 1974
In 1974 with Oklahoma!, a staff choreographer, Mrs. Gail Gautreaux, was added. This was a tremendous asset and was a direct result of the addition of a drill team at FHS. This would also mark the first time that a student new to the district would be selected as the lead. Wes English had one of the strongest voices for a male high school student that we had ever had. We added a set piece, a white house, that has been used many times since in musicals as well as other shows. It was built by parents and is being used in this year's production of Oklahoma! The guns in this show came straight from the MGM Studios in California as has been the case in each show when guns are needed.  
 No, No Nanette!, 1975
No, No, Nanette 1975 was the first show presented for four performances, but the Sunday performance was moved to a Saturday night. This also marked the first performance that separated the vocal and instrumental directors which would eventually lead to greater participation by the pit band. When the art department had trouble with the beach scene on the back wall, one of the secretaries at the high school offered the services of her husband, a science teacher. I have often wondered if it would be possible remove the layers of paint that now cover that scene. It might be a valuable piece of art work. Oh, yes, I almost forgot to give you that artist's name, Larry Dyke.
George M!, 1976 
In 1976 with George M! we changed to our present days of performances opening on Friday and Saturday and running a second weekend on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.The American Flag that hangs on the back wall was made by Mrs. Nyda Williams, Mrs. Bette Hopper, Mrs. Jean Faber, Mrs. Martha Griffon, and Mrs. Huberta Mora. It makes for a very moving scene when it is used. This would mark another first.
 
A lead became ill during a performance and was unable to go on. A young freshman by the name of Nancy Nelson said, "I can do it," and much to the surprise of her parents, there she was when the curtain went up, singing "Down By The Erie Canal." Would you believe that one Friendswood family had three boys in George M!? If you guessed J.P., Mark, and Robert Griffon, you were right. This was also the first time we would have an exchange student, Dirk DeCock from Belgium. 
The Music Man, 1977 
In 1977 with The Music Man, we repeated a musical for the first time. Susan Carter who had the female lead first appeared as Brigitta Von Trapp in the original production of The Sound of Music as a sixth grader. Remember the name Heather Hearn who was in the kids' band! you will hear it again a little later.
Annie Get Your Gun, 1978 
In 1978 with Annie Get Your Gun, we had another big change. Bennie Nipper joined our staff and took over as director, and I took the title of producer. We also used wireless mikes for the first time; thanks to NASA. Mike Yancey would appear as a lead for the first time, a role he would be selected for two more times before graduation. 
Guys and Dolls, 1979
1979 brought Guys and Dolls to the stage of FHS, Kathy Wood would take over the leadership of the musical. The one thing that really sticks in my mind about this show was the elaborate street scene painted on the back wall. you almost felt like you were in the middle of Times Square.
 
The creative talent of Kathy Wood and Robert Staat really came out. The t-shirt tradition was started this year with the cast ordering a t-shirt with the name of the show on the front. The Bette Hopper Scholarship was established, and Nancy Nelson would be the first recipient. The Eunice Kennedy Award was also do established, and Catherine Carter received the award. She would be the only underclassman to ever receive the award.
Li'l Abner, 1980 
Li'l Abner in 1980 brought with it several changes. The choreographer would be an English teacher, Debbie White, rather than the drill team instructor, and Kathy Wood took on a major portion of the responsibilities of the set designs and decorations. For the first time, we would add a ticket manager, Ann Ryberg. Bennie Nipper headed the group of directors. In the early morning hours of Sunday, February 24, I received a call from Mrs. Nipper asking that I take the dress rehearsal. it seems she and Oscar were snowed in at a drama convention. I worked with the directors and the cast for the remainder of the show. 
Showboat, 1981
1981 brought with it Show Boat. There were no significant changes. The Eunice Kennedy Award became a scholarship with Nona Nelson and Van Williams being the first two recipients of the scholarship. Following two years of limited involvement with the musical,I returned to my previous position as producer. This would be the last year we would have the creative talents of Kathy Wood at our disposal. 
Carnival, 1982
In 1982, we selected Carnival for our annual production. For the first and only time since the beginning of the musical, a young lady named Karen Svejkovsky, who had never auditioned for a show, walked in and won the lead. The show was really a rebuilding year, and there were many new young faces on the stage. This would also mark the first and only time a show would be repeated at a later date. My mother, Eunice Kennedy, was unable to attend the original performance due to a broken hip. The cast surprised us both when they announced that they would do a special performance just for her when she was able to attend. The did just that in early May. This would lead us to one of our most popular shows with the students and the public.
South Pacific, 1983 
With South Pacific in 1983, the parents under the leadership of Wanda Yancey, organized the first musical booster club. They took over many responsiblilites that the directors had tried to do over the years.They headed up costumes, publicity, the cast party, dinners to be served to the cast on dress rehearsal nights, concession stand, and made sure all of the cast, crew, and pit band members received flowers at the second Saturday night performance. The choreography was back in the hands of the drill team director, and Carol Holder became my right arm and took over ticket sales. Prior to 1983, the party has been held at Jones hanger presently called the Friendswood Recreation Center.
Brigadoon, 1984
With Brigadoon in 1984, we would repeat shows for four years that we had previously done. Johnathan Yancey would repeat his brother's accomplishment of appearing as the male lead in three FHS musicals.As Johnathan ended his high school career, a young lady by the name of Melissa Amburn appeared in the first of her three leads. For many years, we had presented a portion of the musical for the student body on Monday following the final performance. This would be the last year we would be able to do this.
Hello, Dolly!, 1985
1985 found Dolly gracing the stage once again with a very successful production of Hello, Dolly!. The musical traditions are pretty well established, and we see few changes now. Once major change did affect the musicals, House Bill 72 came into effect and two students were unable to participate the second weekend of the show due to "No Pass, No Perform." This would lead us to move the show a week earlier in order to avoid this problem. Jane Ann Quevedo joined the team as the vocal music director bringing her enthusiasm with her 
The Sound of Music, 1986
The 1986 production of The Sound Of Music brought back many memories of the first musical done on this stage. A few of the sets survived the fifteen years and found their way back to the stage. The mountain, first built by Linn Eignus for his daughter Cyndy, had to be rebuilt, but the original design was used as Charlie Holder, John Smith, and Steve Brown rebuilt the mountain. This would mark the first year that a student would receive academic credit for the musical. The state approved a class called Theater Production, and this was added to our curriculum. Remember the name of Cristina Quevedo, the fourth grader selected to play Brigitta Von Trapp. You'll hear it again later.
George M!, 1987 
George M! My Favorite show as far as music goes graced the FHS stage in '76 and '87. The major change for the '87 George M! was the decision to announce the leads before Thanksgiving and the chorus before Christmas. The ship, originally built by Coach Harris in '76, was rebuilt by the mountain builders, and a fireworks display (light show) was developed by Charles Miller. The miniature ship originally built by Arley Carter to sail across the back wall was pulled out of the moth balls and used again. The seniors of George M! would represent FHS in the Channel 13 salute to graduating seniors. They received lots of air time but were not selected as the winners; although, they did each receive a Marvin Zindler watch. What more could you ask?
Mame, 1988
In '88, a new show, Mame, was selected for the 20th anniversary show. The show was well-received, and many alumni joined us for the Saturday night performance to renew some old friendships and stroll down memory lane. The particularly enjoyed joining in as excerpts of songs from their show were sung. My mother died in November 1987 and Mame was dedicated to her. She had seen every show, and in many instances, every performance, as well as some dress rehearsal. Oh, yes, you remember the name Heather Hearn that I asked you to remember from the kids band in The Music Man 1972? Well, she was a senior in '88 and ended her musical career in the 20th Anniversary Show Mame 
The Music Man, 1989
In 1989, The Music Man marched across the stage of FHS for the third time and at that time the only show to hold the honor. Sally Littlefield was selected for her first lead. She would become the second young lady to play the lead three times. Freddy Nelson was selected as the male lead and ended his musical career which began as a five-year old watching his sister Nancy in the '76 George M! production. I remember him watching rehearsals and learning the words to all the songs just in case we needed an understudy.
The Pajama Game, 1990
In 1990 a heart warming musical, The Pajama Game, was selected to entertain the Friendswood musical supporters. Our friend Jo Boyd had always wanted us to do this show, but the right students did not come along until '90. Following the '89 auditions for The Music Man, the directors made the decision that only students that had appeared in a previous FHS musical or senior new to the district could audition for a lead. 
Show Boat, 1991
In 1991 the talent was there and we decided to repeat the '81 Show Boat production. The school board had approved the replacement of the 20-year old lighting system and the computerized controls were moved to the back of the auditorium. The maintenance crew built a tech booth over the Christmas holidays for the lighting equipment as well as the sound equipment which was being moved to the back. For the firsts time the light crew was able to see the stage without leaving the controls. The show was a great success and the new lighting system allowed for special effect we had never been able to do before.
 
For the first time since the very early years, a choreographer was brought in for the show. Isbell Brandt, a former cast member, cam in when Sondra Shaaf was unable to do the choreography due to health reasons. The show was dedicated to Bennie Nipper who announced her retirement after 13 years of dedicated service to the young people of Friendswood. She touched many lives during that time and we are all better off for having had the privilege of knowing and working with her. The influence she had on the Friendswood High School musicals will be felt for many years.
Annie Get Your Gun, 1992
In 1992, we started anew with a crowd-pleasing show, a repeat of the '78 show, Annie Get Your Gun. Kathy Powdrell, Laurie Belcher and Bob MacWilliams joined the directing staff and brought with them many years of experience. The Ed Harris family added a scholarship in memory of their beloved wife and mother, Gailya Harris.The Ray Trusty family added two scholarships one for the Best Supporting Actor and one for the Best Supporting Actress. Mike Hughes would be the first recipient of the Harris scholarship and Danny Seckle and Angie Rodgers were the first recipients of the Trusty Scholarship.