Freshman is Cast as Lead in East’s Winter Musical

As freshman Fritz Sullivan retook his biology test after school, he glanced at the email notification on his computer screen — the cast list for “Crazy for You,” East’s winter musical, was just released. As he prepared to scan the list to find his name, expecting a featured ensemble part, he realized he didn’t have to — his name was the first listed, under the male lead Bobby Child.

Instead of jumping up and down with excitement like when he was cast as Lumiere in StageRight Performing Arts’ production of “Beauty and the Beast,” Fritz left the biology classroom mixed with emotions of shock and horror — he knew being the first freshman to be cast as the lead would evoke some negative backlash from upperclassmen within the cast.

“Once auditions happened [the directors and I] were sort of looking at each other going — ‘We’re going to put a freshman in the lead aren’t we,’” music director Ken Foley said. “And it was unanimous.”

Although no one ever confronted him directly, Fritz couldn’t help but feel an underlying sense of resentment from other cast members for earning the lead, as leading spots are typically given to upperclassmen. Some senior boys felt upset and confused as to how Fritz received the lead since he had no experience in the East theater program, even though he’s been involved in theater since second grade. 

But when the directors watched his audition, his acting, singing and tapping expertise made him an unmatched choice for the dance-intensive musical — and his grade level did not deter them, according to Foley.

“I don’t think anyone could [play] the part as well as he can,” Foley said. “We had people that could have done the part, but are we going to not give it to him because he’s a freshman? I just don’t believe in that.”

Senior and co-lead Lucy Brock also overheard some negative comments about a freshman cast as a lead, as they believed it should be seniority-based. Brock could relate to this feeling of targeting, as she experienced the same initial reaction from eighth graders after she was cast as Elle Woods in the Indian Hills Middle School production of “Legally Blonde” as a seventh grader. 

“It’s not even like they’re mean to [the younger lead] or anything, it’s just that, you know, they were really mad that it wasn’t them, and it’s just kind of a slap in the face for the older people,” Brock said.

However, once rehearsals started, the tension died down. According to Foley, there was a shock reaction when the cast list came out, but everyone soon realized that Fritz’s skills made him ideal for the part, especially because of his training in dance through years of musicals and classes at Miller Marley School of Dance and StageRight. 

“The cast is totally supportive because we all make so many mistakes and get scared because we don’t know how the directors are going to feel, so we rely on each other,” Fritz said. “If anyone messes up, we’ll all just be like ‘You’re going to be okay, you’ll learn it, don’t worry.’” 

Because the musical is structured as a show-about-a-show, Fritz said it has more of the cliché musical aspects — tap dancing, kick lines, jazz hands — and Fritz was all for that.

“Tap dancing has always been something I felt comfortable with,” Fritz said. “I don’t know why and how [my feet are] doing that, but they are. I love tapping in shows because I feel like no matter how much it’s done, it’s always going to be impressive. I don’t want to sound selfish, but it’s like you’re showing off.”

Even with the constant encouragement from the rest of the cast — cheering from the wings and helping each other review dances before rehearsal starts — Fritz still feels pressured to execute his role perfectly since he is so much younger than the other leads. After watching the current seniors in East’s productions of “Curtains” and “The Little Mermaid” when he was in seventh and eighth grade respectively, he’s been striving to reach their level ever since.

“It’s cool to be part of that group this year, like at first I was looking up to you and now I’m among you,” Fritz said. “Of course Janie Carr as Ariel last year was amazing, and then she went on to the Jimmy Awards, so I’m trying my hardest to reach that standard.”

After Fritz pushed himself to memorize all his lines and learn each intensive dance, Foley has watched Fritz grow into his part.

“I think he’s gotten a lot more confidence, not that he wasn’t confident, but at the beginning I think he was thinking ‘Oh my god am I going to pull this off, everyone’s watching me because here’s the freshman that got the lead,’” Foley said. “But that’s melted away because everyone’s been supportive and he’s just blossoming into the part.”