JULY 22 • 2021 | 39
D
uring the pandemic, Rebecca
Feber used a biographical story
from the past to inspire plans
for favorite activities, and the Ridgedale
Players Theater in Troy is showcasing
her creative approach with the help of
many others.
Feber combined an intense science
leaning as a senior at
Berkley High School with
a devotion to theater
and decided to write and
produce a teen musical
comedy to be staged for
post-pandemic outdoor
audiences. The script builds
on knowledge soon to be
expanded through engineering studies
at Michigan Technological University in
Houghton as well as stage experiences in
community productions.
Biology the Musical is based on what
her calculus teacher, Todd Fadoir, said
about Sir Isaac Newton’s discoveries
during the Great Plague of 1665, and it
centers on advanced placement biology
students and their teacher as they
prepare for exams.
The creative team, cast and crew
— except for Fadoir as the teacher —
are entirely made up of teens. Their
show will run July 24-25 outside the
Ridgedale Players Theater in Troy as a
fundraiser for the theater company.
“As a senior during the pandemic, I
was really upset to be missing out on all
the traditions of senior year, especially
my shows,” said Feber, 18, also a
director and actress who was in the
choir at Temple Emanu-El.
“Theater has been a big part of my
life, and not knowing if I would be able
to have a senior musical, I wrote this
one. Each member of the production
has been helpful and uplifting.”
Feber, of Huntington Woods,
became interested in community
theater through her parents, Lisa and
Kevin Feber, who have been longtime
members of the Ridgedale Players.
Her stamina also is expressed through
participation on the track and field team
and the cross-country team at Berkley
High.
“The play takes place in a week of the
life of the students,” Feber said. “I think
everyone can relate to the characters.
I’ve always liked writing, and I learned
a lot about the process of writing by
working on this play.”
Feber also entered into the way
lyrics are incorporated into a script.
She collaborated with her friend,
Sophia Bahnmueller, who composed
the original music using GarageBand
software. Together, they outlined
the message of each song before
Bahnmueller filled out the words.
During the shows, recorded GarageBand
instrumentation will be heard.
LOVE OF STAGE
Feber, who takes the role of Josie, has
enjoyed roles in Peter Pan, Child of Eden
continued on page 40
Berkley High grad writes and produces
play debuting at Ridgedale.
Teen Angst,
Set to Music
SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Rebecca
Feber
A rehearsal on the
outdoor stage.
Designed
by Emma
Driker
THEATER