“There’s no business like show business/ Like no business I know.”

Chances are, when you read that line one of two things happened. Either you had a moment of “hmmm ... that seems familiar,” or if you’re one of the millions of people considered musical theater fans, you recognized the phrase as a line in the 1946 Irving Berlin song from “Annie Get Your Gun.”

The remarkable thing about that song – and many songs from musicals like it – is that even if you didn’t come up with the play title, you probably did come up with the tune, and maybe even a snippet or two of the next couple lines: “Everything about it is appealing/ Everything the traffic will allow.”

That’s because musicals have a lasting cultural impact, whether you’ve ever attended one or not. And for anyone in the Yakima Valley who really loves these stories filled with music, dance and spectacle, the next four weeks hold a bonanza of opportunity to feed your passion and add some new songs to the soundtrack of your life. Between now and May 17, three outstanding examples of the musical theater genre will be hitting stages in town.

'Anastasia'

With its Thursday, April 17, 2025, opening, the first of these is running at Davis High School through April 26. Music and choir teacher Shannon Ruiz directs “Anastasia: The New Broadway Musical,” based on the beloved 1997 animated musical film from 20th Century Fox.

The title refers to Anastasia Romanov, the youngest child of Tsar Nicolas II. In 1918 the tsar’s entire family was executed by the Bolsheviks as an act of the Russian Revolution, but it was long believed that Anastasia may have survived. This musical fantasy takes it from there. Anya is an amnesiac orphan stranded in what was once the Russian capital, St. Petersburg; she bravely sets out to rediscover her forgotten past, which she believes lies in Paris. In true musical theater fashion, there are enduring songs in this score, among them “Journey to the Past” and “Once Upon a December.”

"Anastasia" by Davis

A scene from Davis High School's production of "Anastasia."

Davis has a long tradition of musical performance, but “Anastasia” is the first musical on the stage of the newly remodeled Performing Arts Center. The beautiful 1,625-seat auditorium is the product of a $12 million renovation that included major technical theater upgrades.

Ruiz is supported by technical director John Pleasants who in turn is aided by assistant technical director Angel Saucedo. Saucedo did the set and lighting design for this epic tale. It calls for massive sets and dramatic lighting effects, so the pressure is on. However, Saucedo’s designs for this new space are elegant and emotive.

Saucedo’s love for musical theater is on full display this spring as his duties also include directing the upcoming spring musical for the Warehouse Theatre Company, “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.”

A second-grade dual language teacher at McKinley Elementary, Saucedo works there daily until 3:45 p.m., then makes the quick trip to Davis where he works until 6:30 p.m., then heads straight to WTC to conduct rehearsals until 9 p.m. “I cancelled my spring break this year to get the two shows done," Saucedo said with a smile of resignation. 

'A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder'

“Gentleman’s Guide” – which opens just five days after “Anastasia” closes -- is a 2014 Best Musical Tony-winning show with an old-fashioned style. Set in 1907 London, this comedy is about the low-born Monty Navarro who finds out that he's eighth in line for an earldom in the lofty D'Ysquith family. Monty realizes that with eight others in line ahead of him, he may never see his inheritance. So, he decides to become ninth Earl of Highhurst faster by eliminating the competition one-by-one in the most creative and hilarious of ways.

“In this show, all members of the cast wear many hats ... literally," Saucedo said. "Each of them plays anywhere from five to 10 different characters in the show.”

Saucedo would know a bit about different hats. For this WTC production, he’s not only the director, but also set designer, light designer and choreographer. He cites assistant producer and prop mistress Beth Parker as key to a smooth operation and is thankful to a willing cast for pitching in to build the set.

“I’ve also been lucky to have Al Fisher and Britney Stahley as musical directors," Saucedo said. "They’ve helped our talented singers become amazing.”

You may not be familiar with the tunes yet, but once the opening number – “A Warning to the Audience” – ends, you’ll no doubt be humming along in no time.

'Grease'

Finally, on May 2 at East Valley High School’s Performing Arts Center, the curtain will rise on an EVHS Drama Club musical for the first time in over six years. Duck tails and bobby sox will be the style of the day as the long-lived crowd favorite “Grease” opens. For the cast and crew totaling 30 students, it will be a thrilling experience.

Greased Lightning

The car body that will be transformed into Greased Lightning for the EVHS production of "Grease" is poised and ready as students visit before rehearsal.

Drama Club adviser Kristen Clinkenbeard directs this production that marks a key stage in the rebirth of East Valley’s program. From the time she was hired four years ago, she and principal Ryan McDaniel had musical productions as a target for the EVHS drama program. They’re hitting that target with “Grease.”

Like Saucedo, Clinkenbeard is quick to point out the people who have been so supportive of the project. Her first shoutout goes to Teagan Headding, a WTC board member.

“Teagan is my right hand," Clinkenbeard said. "While I’m talking to you, she is on her way here with paint for the set. When I found out she had choir experience, I asked if she would be willing to be musical director. In true form, she jumped in and is doing a great job!”

Others on Clinkenbeard’s thank you list include assistant director and EVHS English teacher Andi Manion: “She has been a huge help in taking kids aside and working closely with them on their acting skills and characterization.”

Clinkenbeard is the main costumer, but she’s getting help from Megan Hawkins and Carlee Richard.

“They’re about detail and about keeping me within my budget!” she says.

And finally, she is especially grateful for her choreographers. The lead choreographer is freshman Ella Nunez, who also happens to be playing the role of the tough, wisecracking Rizzo. Nunez has help from senior ASB President Sami Miller, a first-time actress playing the lead role of Sandy Dumbrowski.

“They are both amazing, and the dancers respond to their direction really well,” Clinkenbeard said. 

“Grease” is a nostalgic look back at the American high school experience, circa 1959. Though it focuses on the provocative and rebellious side of teenagers of the era, it’s an idealistic view. It asks big questions like, can the teen summer romance between hot-rodding gangster Danny and the sweet new girl in town, Sandy, survive the weight of peer pressure and popularity? Which side will win? Innocence or experience?

"Grease" set painting

East Valley High students Jaron Mohler (Kenickie) and Cece Doonan (Jan) outlining the Burger Palace sign from "Grease."

Songs from “Grease” are no doubt already alive and well in your memory somewhere. Tunes like “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin’” and “Beauty School Dropout” are crowd favorites and have been virtually since the show first opened in 1972. In fact, plan now to exit the theater singing, humming or whistling “We Go Together.”

As each of these plays opens, runs its course, then closes, the people involved at every level are building memories that will last a lifetime. Years from now when they hear that downbeat, their response will be automatic, they’ll start to sing, and a nostalgia of their own will come over them. If you take in any of these shows, the same will happen to you.

That’s because through the shared musical theater experience, a kind of bond is formed between technicians, performers and audience. Everyone involved becomes show people. And as the song goes, “There's no people like show people/ Like no people I know.”

• Vance Jennings is executive director of the Warehouse Theatre Company. The company contributes a column in Explore every four weeks.

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