By Josh Moyar ‘19

Every year, Mother McAuley High School puts on an all-school musical in the fall. This year, the musical is White Christmas and rehearsals are already underway.

Before the show season begins, McAuley enlists the help of young men from local high schools who come out and audition for the show, hoping to get cast. Auditions were carried out the week of Sept. 10, and the cast list was released that Friday, Sept. 14. Several boys from Brother Rice will be performing in White Christmas this year, including Joe Case, Pat Foertsch, Mike Kinnerk, Josh Moyar, Johnny Pettenon, Seamus Quinn, Declan Smith and Will Witry.

Every Brother Rice student involved has participated in at least one other McAuley performance before, whether that be the spring play, the senior-directed one acts, or past fall musicals.

Senior Pat Foertsch, who will be playing the character Phil Davis, has been involved in McAuley’s theatre department since the second semester of his sophomore year. “Joining McAuley theatre was easily one of the best decisions I made throughout my high school career,” Foertsch said. “Each time I step on the stage, I become overwhelmed with happiness and excitement…and just have fun telling the story.”

For many of the performing Crusaders, the McAuley musical isn’t the only extracurricular they have to juggle. For instance, junior Johnny Pettenon, who has been a part of McAuley theatre since his freshman year, performs in the musical while also playing on the varsity football team. When asked how he balances both activities with his schoolwork, Johnny said, “It is very busy and stressful, but at the same time it teaches me how to manage my time, which could help in the future….Even though it can get crazy and overwhelming at times, I love that I am involved in both amazing experiences.”

Mother McAuley’s production of White Christmas will premiere at the McAuley auditorium from Nov. 15 through Nov. 18. Be sure to come out and support your fellow Crusader thespians!