Kennedy show choirs Protégé and Happiness, Inc. kicked off their competition season Jan. 9 at Linn-Mar’s “Supernova.” Happiness Inc took 3rd behind Johnston’s “Innovation” and “Waukee’s Eos” while JV group Protégé placed last in the prep division.
Happiness, Inc.’s theme this year is based on the song “The Cats in the Cradle” by Harry Caplin, telling the story of a young boy growing up with a workaholic father. The son then leaves his, finds success on the stage and the two reunite. The show was choreographed by Randy Sage and newly-recruited Lexi Buglewicz , choreographer for Linn-Mar “10th Street Edition” as well as other competitive varsity choirs in Iowa. The decision to add Buglewicz to the team was made by Happiness Director Storm Ziegler after letting go long-time choreographer Damon Brown. Students also contributed to the groups choreographic success.
“Our dance captains this year are phenomenal and they have lived up to and gone past all my expectations,” senior Jordan Harvey said. “They practically taught us our entire fourth song. That’s such an undertaking and I’m really proud of them.”
Their songs this year are titled “Prelude,” “Work Medley” (containing Work to Do and Workin for a Livin), “Baseball Medley” (containing Take Me Out to the Ball Game, Let’s Play Ball and Fortunate Son), “Leavin/Make it Here” (containing Leaving on a Jet Plane and Make It Here), “Never Too Late Medley” (containing All the Time in the World, My Father’s Eyes and Never Too Late) and “Coming Home.”
Protégé is directed by Ann Brunson and choreographed by Lover Davis Kid and follows the romantic story of a celebrity and a paparazzi photographer in Hollywood. It features songs like Lady Gaga’s “Applause” and “Paparazzi,” “Late Night Talking” by Harry Styles, “See You Again” by Miley Cyrus and The Greatest Showman’s “Rewrite the Stars,” closing with “Love Never Felt So Good” by Michael Jackson.
Performances are only a small part of the season, the group is only on stage for 20-30 minutes per performance, but they leave a lasting impression.
“I cried after giving the show my all,” junior Kloud Smith said. “I remember hugging my sister for like fifteen seconds. It was a great accomplishment for me and the team.”
In preparation for Supernova, Happiness charged forward and endured difficult practices.
“Practices during comp season are also super important because it allows us to apply the notes that we are getting from judges and improve our show so that we can potentially place better at our next competition,” Harvey said.
Both Happiness and Protégé compete again on Feb. 1 at Prairie Premiere, with Protégé performing at 12:30 p.m. and Happiness at 3:15 p.m. in the concert hall.
“I was proud of what they had accomplished and the growth they displayed [and] I believe they will continue to get better and better,” Brunson said.
