Conestoga Valley 662 5:0+, townlively.com
MARCH 10, 2021
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
Take Two - Cavod To Present “The Music Man Jr.” BY ANN MEAD ASH
fter more than a decade bringing musicals and dramas to the New Holland area, Cavod Theatre has looked back to the organization’s roots to stage a junior version of one of the theater’s first productions “The Music Man.” Last set to play in December 2020 but postponed due to COVID19 restrictions, the show, “The Music Man Jr.,” will be presented at Cavod Theatre, 641 W. Main St., New Holland, at 7 p.m. on Fridays, March 19 and 26; at 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturdays, March 20 and 27; and at 4 p.m. on Sundays, March 21 and 28.
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“It’s one of the more fun junior shows,” said director Alex Weaver, who grappled with the challenges of rehearsing under COVID-19 restrictions. Weaver divided the 36-member cast into “family groupings,” and taught the show’s lovebirds, Harold Hill, played by Derrick Lambert, and Marian Paroo, played by Soren Lefever, how to portray emotion without getting too close or looking directly at each other while singing. The plot of the musical revolves around Hill, a con man who pretends to be a band leader. He sells musical instruments and band uniforms to the residents of River City, Iowa, while promising to train the members of the new band. The townspeople, with the exception of librarian and piano
North Star Schedules “Welcome To The Battle” BY ANN MEAD ASH
teacher Paroo, fall for Hill’s tricks. Although Paroo sees the truth, after witnessing Hill helping her younger brother, Winthrop, played by Brandt Esh, overcome his lisp, Paroo begins to fall for the trickster. “The Music Man” has been a staple of musical theater since it debuted on Broadway in 1957. The show is known for toe-tappers such as “76 Trombones” and “Ya Got Trouble,” along with the softer melodies of “‘Til There Was You,” and “Goodnight, My Someone.” Because “The Music Man” is such a popular show, Weaver is planning to deliver the classic tale but still offer audiences a bit of a fresh take by encouraging his actors, ages 9 to 17, to look into the depth of their characters. “I am a big fan of character development,” said Weaver. “I am trying to help them Derrick Lambert will play Harold Hill in understand that every the rescheduled production of “The Music line in the script is in Man Jr.,” set to play at Cavod Theatre, t h e r e fo r a r e a s o n t o New Holland, on two weekends in March. help them … understand their character a forward to sharing the hard work little better.” of the cast with audiences. “I realWeaver noted that it has been ly hope audiences can see there is satisfying to see students take a still fun to be had in bad times,” break from what is happening in he said, adding that he also hopes the world when they come to the theme of authenticity will rehearsals. “(I enjoy) seeing the shine through. “The message kids come in here and have fun behind the show is being able to for three or four hours and forget find your true self,” he explained. about everything else in a safe “You don’t have to lie or be fake. environment putting on a show,” It’s OK to be who you are.” he said. Tickets, which are limited, are After having to reschedule, the available at https://cavod.org or by director is especially looking calling 717-354-3355.
“We think it’s important for people to know about (human) trafficking and to know it happens right here in Lancaster County,” said Janelle Esbenshade, director of development with North Star Initiative, “with the hope that once they understand … if they come in contact with (someone who is being trafficked), they will be educated enough to know what to do.” To help make community members aware of the signs of trafficking, North Star Initiative will hold an awareness event, Welcome to the Battle, at Petra Church, 565 Airport Road, New Holland, on Friday, March 19. The event, which will feature a panel discussion, will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets, which are limited, may be purchased up until the day of the event. Proceeds raised from the event will help provide trauma therapy for the survivors at The Harbor. Panelists who are lined up to take part are Heather Castellino, Pennsylvania deputy attorney general; Derek Thompson, founder of Abolition
VisionCorps’ Virtual Format Provides Education And Community BY ANN MEAD ASH
When COVID-19 restrictions shut down the state in March of 2020, VisionCorps, a nonprofit organization working to empower the blind and vision impaired, stopped providing services, but not for long. “We shut down services for a couple weeks, but we quickly realized our services were still needed out in the community,” said Chris Ament,
Men; Brad Ortenzi, retired police officer and eastern USA regional director of Zoe International; and Liz Nolan, education specialist and licensed professional counselor for North Star Initiative. A surprise guest will also join the discussion. The event will include desserts provided by Zig’s Bakery and Shady Maple. Attendees will be asked to follow Petra’s COVID-19 guidelines, including wearing masks. See North Star pg 4
Brad Ortenzi
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Schreiber Announces New Minority-Directed Scholarship . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Seminary Bestows Award To ECC . . . . . . . . . .3 Ease The Burden: Local Organization To Focus On Schools/Community Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 House Of Worship . . . . . .13 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . .14
See VisionCorps pg 4
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“(I enjoy) seeing the kids come in here and have fun for three or four hours and forget about everything else in a safe environment putting on a show.”
VOL LVII • NO 12