It was too easy to get carried away with this “helluva” show.  The cast and crew of the NKHS production of Leonard Bernstein’s “On the Town” takes every audience member into World War II era New York City, where they meet a drunk music teacher, an understanding judge, and a dinosaur named Sophie.

A chaotic 24 hours of city life started from the moment the three sailors stepped off the ship. Chip (junior Matt Vergun), Ozzie (senior Nick Hammond), and Gabey (junior Mason Hyde) all have an idea of what they want to do with their single day in the city but are stalled when Gabey sets his sights on Ivy Smith (senior Laura Vanasse), the “unattainable” Ms. Turnstiles of June.  He runs off to find her with a stolen poster as a clue as to where he may find her.

The three men split up in an attempt to find Ivy, but Chip and Ozzie find themselves in the company of other women of New York.  Chip is lured into a taxi cab by the recently fired driver Hildy (junior Giuliana Mancini or senior Natalie Toland).  He attempts to see some sights on his adventure but ultimately finds himself in Hildy’s place.  Ozzie finds himself as the perfect specimen for Claire de Loone (senior Maeve Harten or senior Abby Dufrense), and they are quickly carried away with each other in the Modern Museum of Science and end up in Claire’s fiancee Pitkin W. Bridgework’s (sophomore Chris Cook) home, who was surprisingly understanding of the situation.

Gabey didn’t require the help of his friends, however, and found Ivy during one of her music lessons with Madam Dilly (senior Meghan O’Brien) and scored a night on the town with her.

The sailors all meet again with their new ladies, but Ivy is missing.  She was forced to attend her job at Coney Island and stands up Gabey to repay Madam Dilly for the $56 worth of lessons she owes her.  If she does not get her the money, then Ivy will be revealed for the untalented phony she is.

The night continues and the gang makes their way from club to club, leaving Pitkin in a trail of checks.  Gabey finds his way to Madam Dilly, who tells him that Ivy is at Coney Island.  He rushes there with Ozzie, Chip, Hildy, and Claire in his wake with his 24 hours dwindling quickly.  He finds Ivy and finally gets the girl as she explains how much she really wishes to go on a date with him.

However, by this point Pitkin has caught up with them and certainly does not understand anymore.  He turns the the sailors in to the naval authorities and they are sent back to the ship to return home.  The girls make it to the boat to say a final farewell to the men as they depart, and three new sailors with 24 hours emerge.

This show was all I expected it to be and more.  I was caught up in the action from start to finish, sad for Gabey while he experienced heartbreak and felt excited when he finally got his time with Ivy, regardless of how short that time was.

The musical talents of the school were fully on display during the four performances.  I attended the Friday show and Saturday matinee, in which Giuliana Mancini played Hildy and Maeve Harten played Claire, and I would have attended the Saturday and Sunday matinee shows, with Natalie Toland as Hildy and Abby Dufrense as Claire, if I had the opportunity.

NK only has compliments to give to the cast and crew, and the thunderous applause that followed the shows only begins to explain how simply amazed the audience was.  I do not understand how some students have been blessed with the talents they are and find myself rather envious.

Junior Matthew Vergun said, “My favorite scene was the apartment scene with Hildy and Claire.  It was so much fun to work with these fantastic young women and hearing the audience’s laughter was so rewarding.”

You cannot focus on the leads alone, however, and have to also consider the talents of the ensemble. They spend long hours perfecting dances and their quick changes, just as the leads do.  Along the way they also form inseparable bond with their cast members.

Although the snow was a minor setback, the talent of NK shined from center stage, the pit and above and fit 24 crazy hours in New York City into an evening in the NKHS auditorium.