There’s no greater irony than a musical theater group performing a show about a guy who loathes them. As someone who didn’t particularly enjoy them before coming to Goucher, Paul’s sentiments resonated deeply with me. The implications!
Last weekend, Pizzazz performed StarKid’s The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals–and they knocked it out of the park. Led by co-directors Rebecca Katz ‘27 and Olivia DeSena ‘28, Goucher’s very own musical theater group came back with yet another hit this semester.
It wasn’t just me who was eager to see the show. Merrick was packed, to the point where the directors had to consider opening off blocked off sections just to fit more people in the audience.
“I didn’t think we were going to get such a huge turnout. I was so happy. It was incredible,” DeSena said.
This was their biggest performance yet, with over 30 members participating on and off the stage. The musical was suggested by Birdie Hazel ‘26, who played Paul, the aforementioned Guy. They, along with the rest of the cast and crew, brought the show to life. “Show Me Your Hands” played by Ellie Brown ‘27 in her role as Sam was, top down, one of my favorite songs.
“My dad’s friend who came to see the performance said I seemed remarkably calm for a director,” Katz said. “And I said yeah, my job is pretty easy, because they all know what they’re doing.”
Every actor put their heart into their performance. Their sense of comedic timing made their improvisational bits that much better.
“[My favorite parts were] the little tidbits that the actors would add,” DeSena said. “Off-script moments [where] they would just start adlibbing things.”
Their performances went from great to phenomenal, I think, with the coordination of Gracie Flippen ‘26, who choreographed the songs and played Professor Hidgens. She stepped up as choreographer in Pizzazz’s revival last year, and her years of dancing experience paid out for every show since.
On the second night, in homage to Flippen graduating this semester, the aliens dug into the professor’s cherry jello heart when he gave himself up to them.
“I’m so proud,” Flippen commented. “[We have] the best performers because [they’re] the people that care about performing.”
Guy was also a final send-off to the seniors of Pizzazz. Alongside Flippen and Hazel, Kai Pender ‘26 and Stella Rose ‘26 performed, while Charlie Scharnberger ‘26, Astoria Luces ‘26, Kyson Luces ‘26 were on tech and stage management.
But the future of Pizzazz is bright. With the talent of its performers and the enthusiastic support of the Goucher student body behind them, the shows of next semester and beyond are sure to go down in the club’s history.
“The kids are gonna be all right,” Flippen said.
By Jaiden Johnson ‘27
Featured Photo Credit: Milo Silverman
