APRIL 19, 2013
Bruin News
PAGE 5
Unlikely students will ‘rock’ you By BRIA PAIGE The Bear Facts
A group of unlikely boys went from musical novices to musical geniuses in just a matter of months after they were recruited to participate in the spring musical, “The Music Man.” Tim Cook, Angel Espino, Mason Fridge, Charles King, Sam Osborne, Matthew Harkey, Ian Vandevender, Jax Rasmussen, Jason Price, Josh McClenty and T.J. Riley make up the cast of boys drafted to star in the opening scene of the play, Rock Island, which has been nick-named the “train scene.” “It’s a lot of pressure because we’re the first ones out on the stage,” said Rasmussen, a seventh-grader who plays one of the traveling salesmen in the train scene. “We set the standard for the entire play,” Rasmussen said. “And the scene is really hard because we have to bounce on the beat while we sing.” “The Music Man” opens with a train full of salesmen discussing or, rather, singing about consumer credit and their business. All of the boys are seated on the train. Each of the salesman takes his turn in the spotlight by singing his lines in rapid-fire staccato rhythm. The main aspect that makes this scene different from most is the complex music. Photo by Halle Anderson/The Bear Facts The difficult music paired with the Actors in the opening production number clown around on stage during rehearsal. Pictured are, from left, Sam challenging singing, which is more like Osborne, Josh McClenty, Matthew Harkey, Jason Price and Jax Rasmussen. The caution tape separated performers an old-school rap, has made for an inin rehearsal from the edge of the orchestra pit; it will be removed for the actual performances.
MUSICAL, continued from Page 1 in the past with previous plays SPRING MUSICAL and in speech and debate as duo partners. “Maggie is great,” Morgan n THE PLAY: “The Music said. “She really is Marian, just Man,” by Meredith Wilson everything Maggie does is just this standard Broadway strong n THE TIME: Curtain and independent woman. And is 7 p.m. tonight, 7 p.m. that’s exactly who Marian is.” Saturday and 2 p.m. A new and different aspect to Sunday this year’s musical is the choren THE TICKETS: $10 ographer. Byron Joseph, a progeneral admission, fessional dancer, is the choreogavailable at the door rapher for the spring musical. Sophomore Mia Nichols, who n THE SPONSOR: The portrays a town resident in the theater department at St. musical, said the dancing is hard Joseph Catholic School “especially when you have no background in it.” “It’s so hard to look graceful when you’re learning something complex compared to the previdifferent,” Nichols said. “And ous musicals. “The music is very challengI’m not really used to ballet.” The music for the play is very ing because it has been adapted
from a professional score by Mr. Russell,” said Kathryn Sckiets, a senior who is playing in the orchestra. Ronnie Russell, the school’s band director, has arranged the music for the St. Joe production. “But in the end, it makes us all better musicians, and it’s very rewarding,” Sckiets said. “And playing it in the orchestra pit sounds amazing. I think it’s really going to add to the atmosphere of the play.” With the countdown to the play taking place, many around the St. Joe community anticipate the opening night for the play. “The acting is amazing, the dancing is amazing,” Kenyon said. “It’s really neat stuff. And I’m really excited about the show. It’s going to be really fun.”
“It’s a lot of pressure because we’re the first ones out on the stage. We set the standard for the entire play.” – Jax Rasmussen, a seventh-grader who performs in the opening number
teresting mix for the group of unexperienced boys. “It’s like an old- timey rap,” said Molly Windham, the school’s choir teacher. “It’s a lot of rhythmic speaking, and the boys had to figure all of it out. It was like putting together a puzzle. But I think they’re having fun with it.” It’s not only fun for the boys, but also for others watching them transform into these rapping professionals. “It’s a good start to the play, very active and fun,” said sophomore Farrah Jones, who plays a resident in the production. “It’s funny watching your fellow cast members jumping around having fun and, quote-unquote, rapping.” The boys may not have been the most likely candidates to open the play on opening night, but the spotlight will be on them tonight and this weekend. And they are sure to please.
Behind the scenes with the backstage crew By TESS LOTT The Bear Facts Spring usually means warmer weather, flowers – and the end of school drawing near. For some hardworking St. Joe students, however, spring means making this year’s musical, “The Music Man,” the best the school has seen. Performers act, sing and dance; orchestra members practice and mark music; and everyone stresses as opening night approaches. But before the spotlight hits the stage, someone must work the lights, paint the sets and create and organize everything seen and unseen on stage. This group
of workers is the backstage crew – the key ingredient to a successful play. The backstage crew is as important as any other part in the musical. They must memorize cues, know where to put all props and sets, and be present at every practice and performance. Without them, there would be no set or lights. Why, though, would you help with backstage? “It keeps you diverse,” said 10th grader DeZell Lathon, the backstage manager. “We have an option of doing what we want according to our strengths. Being a part of the backstage crew helps us bond
and gives us knowledge to use in future performances. Anyone can help backstage if they’re willing.” Say, for example, you love theater but aren’t particularly great at it or you are too shy to be onstage. Joining the backstage crew gives you a chance to help with the play while not being nervous you will mess up lines or play a wrong note. The backstage crew also gives you a chance at making new friends. The backstage crew can never have too many helping hands, so don’t be afraid to sign up next year and help make the fall play or spring musical the best it can be.
Practice makes perfect: ‘The Music Man’ in rehearsal
Photo by Elisabeth Scott/The Bear Facts From right, Loden Snell, Ashley German, Matthew Hosler, Patrick Morgan and Michael Mohr Photo by Halle Anderson/The Bear Facts practice with members of “The Music Man” orchestra. Andrew Morgan, as the lead Harold Hill, rehearses a production number with the cast. The caution tape separated performers in rehearsal from the edge of the orchestra pit.
Photo by Halle Anderson/The Bear Facts St. Joe students rehearse the opening number from “The Music Man.” Pictured are, from left, Photo by Halle Anderson/The Bear Facts Jason Price, Timothy Cook, Jax Rasmussen, Matthew Harkey, T.J. Riley and Josh McClenty. Kendall Comish, a member of the cast and backstage crew, pushes the train set into place.