Feature Story

Coast Guard Second Class Cadet Emily Young and Second Class Cadet Logan Donahey perform a musical number Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011, at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. Young and Donahey are cast members of the musical titled "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," which is performed by Coast Guard cadets at the academy. U.S. Coast Guard photograph by Petty Officer 3rd Class Diana Honings

A military service academy is the last place one might expect to see a musical performance, but the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., traded in their military uniforms for costumes, hair and makeup to perform this year's cadet musical - "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change."

Off-Broadway's second longest-running musical, the play is presented in a series of vignettes that celebrate the modern-day, suburban mating game as it explores the joys of dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws.

Dr. Robert Newton, the director of cadet vocal music at the academy, has been producing cadet musicals since 1969 and said this year's production is the first to be performed exclusively by Coast Guard cadets.

"There are 10 cadets in this year's musical, and there are 10 lead parts," Newton said.  "Each and every cadet has a lead role.  Normally we include civilians, academy staff or relatives, but this year, it's all about the cadets.  It's quite unique."

Coast Guard First Class Cadet Katie Spira is one of the 10 cast members in the cadet musical and said the musical production compliments the education she receives at the academy.

Paul Junghans, a first class cadet, goes over his lines backstage.  U.S. Coast Guard photograph by Petty Officer 3rd Class Diana Honings

"I find performing in the musical to be really refreshing," Spira said.  "During the day I'm in a classroom, and while doing the play at night, I'm interacting with people and working on my speaking skills and my confidence.  It balances well with my military education, even though they seem like total opposites."

For final dress rehearsal, the musical was performed before a group of the cadet's peers.

Coast Guard Fourth Class Cadet Kaitlin Ward has studied with several of the cadet cast members and said the musical gave her a new perspective on her classmates.

"I didn't expect it to be this funny," Ward said.  "I knew they were all in Glee Club here.  It's just different seeing them on stage and watching their personalities come out."

Coast Guard Lt. Matthew Kempe graduated from the academy in 2005 and is serving as the assistant director for this year's production.  Having performed in musicals when he was a cadet, Kempe said the play not only provides an avenue for cadets to grow artistically as individuals, but it complements their development as leaders.

Emily Young, a second class cadet, reads over her lines before going on stage.  U.S. Coast Guard photograph by Petty Officer 3rd Class Diana Honings

"[By having a cadet musical], the academy demonstrates that it appreciates individual talents and wants the development of a leader to not just be conforming to a prescribed mold, but the development of a person as well," Kempe said.

"In the end, we're a volunteer service," Kempe said. "If we don't have people who are encouraged to demonstrate the proficiencies in the things they enjoy, we're stifling their growth as individuals and as leaders."

"I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" is performed by Coast Guard cadets in the ballroom of Leamy Hall at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Feb. 26 and Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m., and Feb. 27 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $7 each and can be purchased by calling Anne-Marie Austin at (860) 444-8472.