Head Over Heels: GCSU Theatre presents romantic romp with message of inclusion

Actors on stage rehearsing a dance for production of "Head Over Heels."

Head Over Heels: GCSU Theatre presents romantic romp with message of inclusion

Just past St. Valentine’s Day, Georgia College & State University (GCSU) presents its romantic spring musical, Feb. 22-26. “Head Over Heels” is an upside-down, frolicking fairy tale about prophetic doom, mistaken identities and self-discovery set in a kingdom with 1980s punk costumes, Elizabethan Old English and upbeat music from the Go-Go’s.

But, mostly, it’s a play about love, inclusiveness and acceptance.

James Magruder’s adaptation of the original book by Jeff Whitty, “Head Over Heels” opens with the Go-Go’s hit “We Got the Beat.” The beat is what sustains the town of Arcadia. An oracle warns the town it’s about to lose this essence, due to the king’s refusal to change. The king is played by freshman mass communication major Jonathan Doss of Gwinnett.

The beat is “like the force in Star Wars,” said freshman management major Ben McPherson of Sharpsburg, Georgia, who plays Musidorus, a lowly, forlorn shepherd looking for affection. He loves the king’s younger daughter, who’s barred from marrying beneath her status.

To marry, the princess must wait until her elder sister weds. But the haughty sister, played by sophomore theatre major Lexi Gordy of Covington, rejects every suitor.

It’s a story of unfulfillment and awakening, of staunch traditions and tolerance—accompanied by 18 great songs by the Go-Go’s including “Head Over Heels,” “Vacation,” “Our Lips are Sealed,” “Get Up and Go,” “Lust to Love,” “Mad About You,” “Cool Jerk” and “Heaven is a Place on Earth.”

The hot-pink set opens like a fairytale book. There are sword fights, baggy pants from the ‘80s and lots of ‘thee’ and ‘thou’ language set in a kingdom where people are not who they appear to be.

It’s retro. It’s ancient. It’s modern. It’s timeless.

“It all comes together in a wonderful, magical mesh of personality, song and dance,” said Director Amy Pinney.

A cast of 16 student actors is supported by about 50 students behind the scenes doing set, lights, makeup and costumes.

GCSU’s production of “Head Over Heels” premieres at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, in Russell Auditorium and runs through Saturday, Feb. 25, with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26. Tickets can be purchased at tickets.gcsu.edu. Cost is $15 for general admission; $10 for senior citizens, faculty and staff and non-GCSU students; and $5 for GCSU students.

“You’re going to feel great when you leave,” Pinney said. “The show is uplifting.”

Her sentiments were echoed by Gordy, who said the play “is a true happily-ever-after.”

“You’re going to regret it, if you don’t come and see it. I can promise you that,” McPherson said.

Updated: 2023-02-17
Amy Pinney
amy.pinney@gcsu.edu
(478) 445-7318
Theatre & Dance, Department of