features Common Sense - November 21, 2007
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Honk! Gets Everybody Singing Along Wootton Center for the Arts Produces Another Stellar Show Naomi Sapiro staff writer Once again the Wootton Center of the Arts has pulled off another phenomenal musical. From Children of Eden to Sweeney Todd and now to Honk! the show quality and talent keeps improving. The casting of Honk! was well selected and each actor/actress portrayed their characters wonderfully. “My favorite part [of the musical] was the really talented cast. Everyone was so focused and so talented,” senior Keith Schwartz said, who played the lead role of Ugly. The set, lighting, and sound coalesced for a memorable experience. Everyone was shocked to see that the costumes where not animal costumes but were, in fact, simply regular clothing. The confusion was evident through the audiences’ low mumbling of curiosity that could be heard when no animal costumes were to be seen. It was clear that each scene had been thoroughly rehearsed; the actors executed their lines perfectly and with very little hesitation. The opening act was amusing and catchy. The music was upbeat and was really a great way to grasp the audience’s attention, which the audience applauded for louldy when the curtains closed. The costumes were “retro” and unique. Every person had their own personalized costume that consisted of resplendent colors and patterns. The music in the show was also exceptional. The pit orchestra did an excellent job of providing a light tone throughout the musical. The actors and actresses maintained rhythm and their voices. “I really enjoyed playing the music for the show. And the way the actors coincided with the music helped provided a great show,” senior Aaron Shakin, a part of the pit, said. The stage and lighting were well thought-out and on cue. The stage set was detailed and fit the show very well. “The set had a lot more detail in it than most of the other shows. A lot of time was spent on the grass, eggs, and flats in the back because of the detail required,” said sophomore Wolfie Devine, assistant stage manager. “This particular production had relatively few set changes. Other than moving the eggs on and off stage, the set changes only required two or three people.” Most of the audience found the scene, The Marsh, a Late Summer Morning, a humorous piece. The Cat, played by senior Max Swider, as well as Queenie, played by sophomore Jordan Smilan-Goldstein, and Lowbutt, played by junior Stephanie Helwig took part in a not so PG scene. “For a PG show, the scene was rated NC-17,” sophomore Anna Agarunova joked.
photo by Elizabeth King
The cast of Honk! produced a show of fun tunes, entertaining people of all ages The scene was about the Cat falling in love with Queenie. They expressed their infatuation by dancing and passionately “hugging” each other. “I had been warned sufficiently,” said Mr. Goldstein, Jordan’s father. The audience found this scene funny, and it elicited relaxed laughter. Although, Honk! was very different from Sweeney Todd in music, setting, and genre, the cast and crew were pleased with the outcome. It was obvious that a lot of thought was put into this production. “I knew that I needed to do something to hit the community,” director Carla Ingram said. It appears Ingram’s goal was achieved as Honk! attracted people of all ages, from toddlers to grandparents. “Every minute [of this show] was exciting and interesting and a great learning experience,” junior Rachel Lipman, who played Ida, Ugly’s mother. When it comes to putting on musicals, Wootton knows how to put on quite a performance.
Students Prepare to Start Puttin’ On The Hitz
photo by Melissa Marcus
A group auditions their act in hopes that they will be selected to perform in this year’s Puttin’ On the Hitz. $25 for third place. In the class competition, the freshmen, Melissa Marcus sophomores and juniors compete to win a $100 prize. staff writer The three staff judges determine the winners of both competitions based on creativity, lip sync accuracy, stage Every year students and faculty gather in the auditorium, presence, costumes and props, and overall entertainment. eagerly awaiting Wootton’s annual show, “Puttin’ On The This year, POTH will feature a disco theme. Hitz” (POTH). Students lip-synch and dance to their The show this year will have the classic dance-offs favorite songs in a competition extravaganza. There are but will also include some new twists. The Supertonics, two competitions within the show: the individual and class Wootton’s own elite male a capella group will perform competitions. and welcome the audience to the show. The local band In the individual competitions, students will compete to Lemonface will be performing as well. Lemonface includes win prizes: $100 for first place, $50 for second place, and
senior Brendan McCusker. “The show is different this year because we’re trying to make it more fun in order to get a greater response and more people to come,” senior Planner Megan Ladd said. There are also song requirements for the performers: one boy band song, one disco song, one Disney song, one song in a foreign language, one current song, one reggae song, one rap or hip-hop song, one techno song, and one movie theme song. “The class of 2009 has always dominated POTH and we’re looking to finish a three-peat dynasty this year,” junior Planner Andrea Tian said, who looks forward to showing off her class spirit with this year’s performance. “We have a lot of good dancers, and we’re going to be really good this year,” junior class Vice President Elijah Martin said. Although there is money involved in the grand prize, for some, the money is merely a fringe benefit to the good times put into the planning and rehearsing for POTH. “It’s not about the money, it’s about the pride of being the best class,” Martin said. Although the senior class participates in this event, they do not compete in the class competition because they plan POTH. “We changed it up this year because we thought by letting other types of performances into the show, people would be more interested in coming,” senior planner Robert Yin said. Even for those not participating in POTH, watching it should be entertaining. “It is a very great experience for the whole family. Me and my dad both loved it,” sophomore Adam Solomon said. “POTH is always the best part of planning,” Tian said. “It’s so much fun to work with everyone and dance the night away.” Auditions and rehearsals on December 10 and 12 are mandatory for performers. “Puttin’ on the Hitz” will take place on December 13 at 7:00 in the auditorium, and is open to the entire Wootton community.