As the school year continues into February, the Carmel High School performing arts department has set a new agenda. Instead of performing “Phantom of the Opera,” as previously announced, the department will now be performing “Hello Dolly.” Lamonte Kuskye, 12 year choral director at CHS, said they (the department) decided to replace the show for a variety of reasons.

“The number one reason why it (“Phantom of the Opera”) was cancelled was because the vocal ranges were so high,” Kuskye said. “It is written for mature adults.”

Kuskye said he believes both scheduling and casting both played a large part in the play’s cancellation as well.

“Many people already have heavy spring season schedules such as choral competitions and doing that performance would put horrendous strain on such young voices,” Kuskye said. “In addition, we had about 150 people try out for a play with no chorus. There were just so many great and talented students and we would not be able to cast all of them, which is just not right.”

According to Kuskye, the replacement of “Phantom of the Opera” with “Hello Dolly” could not have come at a better time.

“I’m just relieved,” Kuskye said. “We have a perfect cast for ‘Dolly.’ This is the right show to do, without question. “‘Phantom of the Opera’ was enticing but my gut said it was not the right show for us. In the end my gut was proven correct.”

According to Kuskye, “Hello Dolly” not only has some of the best and most famous production numbers on Broadway, but is also a show for everybody.

“My goal is not for the public to come because of the title of the show, but instead come for its quality,” Kuskye said. “I’m just so excited.” By Eric Dick <[email protected]>