Nebraska City High School - Pioneer Yearbook (Nebraska City, NE)

Page 26 text:

John Hofer, (left), (Jesus), and (left to questioning Jesus about Roman taxes right), John Davis, Joan Griepenstrah, and vital commandments, and James Cooper portray Pharisees Sally Yost tells the story of a rich man ’» obsession with worldly goods and his doom while Bonnie Anderson, (left) and Sarah Vann, (right) pantomime her words. Ted Bonebrake, guitarist for the band of GODSPELL, practices during a rehearsal. The cast of GODSPELL diligently rehearses choral Vann. Lori Symonsberger, and Center - John Davis music for the show, (left to right), Bonnie Anderson. and Rex Weldon. Sally Yost, Tom Farrell, Joan Griepenstrah, Sarah Thank-You!! Directors - Chris Dietz and Tom Lights - Linda Ganzel, Lori Farrell; Student Directors - Phil Brass, Dave Gebers, Allison Lutz, Todd Liesenfeld; Nancy Luppen Wurtele and Art III KMA radio Makeup • Shelly Stephens High School Maintenance Band • Mrs. Nienkamp, Meri Nein- Shop - Dave Dietz kamp, Jim Rowe, Ted Bonebrake, Janna Hemphill Greg Conz - Tickets Chairman 22 Fall Musical

Page 25 text:

Godspetl, a contemporary and showy musical adapted from the Gospel of St. Matthew, opened this fall at NCHS with News Press reviews describing it as “Bright and Enthusiastic”. Different from musicals presented in the past it required ten cast members as opposed to a larger number and it involved the audience much more than before. Enthusiasm was evident throughout the show with the hope of saving the people, levity in portrayal of Jesus’ many parables, and finally the scene at the cross. The final scene was probably the most lasting as Christ’s death evoked tears from each audience. Each player was brought to life with bright costumes and grease paint to make them hippy-clowns. The music was contemporary and breezy such as the selection “Day by Day”, the show’s theme. A six-person band was largely responsible for the musical success of the show along with the music director, Tom Farrell. The theatrical success was due to director Chris Dietz. The fall’s musical, a success, an experience. It will be remembered for its laughs and for the tears. By all those involved, satisfaction at a job well done will be remembered. Opposite page: The cast of “Godspell” takes time out for a picture during one of the many night practices in preparing for the awaited opening night. Bottom row; John Davis, second row; left to right, Bonnie Anderson. Lori Symonsbergen. Sally Yost. Joan Griepenstroh, Sarah Vann, third row; Todd Liesenfeld. John Hofer, Rex Weldon. Dave Hemphill. James Cooper, top row; Phil Lutz. Bottom, this page. The entire cast reenters after the Prologue in full and bright costume to sing “When Wilt Thou Save the People” and to quickly liven the mood of the show. Front row, left to right, Sarah Vann, Bonnie Anderson, John Hofer, Lori Symonsbergen, Sally Yost. Second row; James Cooper, Rex Weldon, John Davis, Joan Griepenstrah. Dave Hemphill. Photo, center; left. Tom Farrell, and right, Chris Dietz, smile happily and look hopeful as the long-worked for, long awaited opening night draws near. CAST John Hofer - Jesus Dave Hemphill - Judas John the Baptist PLAYERS Bonnie Anderson James Cooper John Davis Joan Griepenstroh Lori Symonsbergen Sarah Vann Rex Weldon Sally Yost Fall Musical 21

Page 27 text:

Spring play: Neil Simon’s “Fools” Left to right : Slovitch. (Jodi Hauptman), Mishkin. (Deb Hail). These cast members of ‘Tools” are discussing Leons rival Leon Tolchinsky, (Phil Lutz), and Yenchna, (Kim Kleveland). count Gregor, for the hand of the young Sophia. Neil Simon success The spring play this year was Neil Simon’s “Fools” and it was definitely a humorous event. Vicki Wilken hung up her track shoes and directed this play. Overall it was a real success. The play was set in the late 1800’s in a village in Russia by the name of Kulenchikov. All the citizens of the village are cursed with stupidity. The curse is broken, a romance takes place, and a point is made all in typical Neil Simon fashion creating continuous laughs for the audience. The characters were schoolmaster Leon Tolchinsky, (Phil Lutz); Sophia Zubritsky, (Sarah Vann); Dr. Nikolai Zubritsky, (John Hofer); Mrs. Lenya Zubtitsky, (Bonnie Anderson); Count Gregor Yousekevitch, (Rex Weldon); postwoman Mishkin, (Deb Hall); baker Slovitch, (Jodi Hauptman); vendor Yenchna, (Kim Kleveland), Snetsky, the sheep-loser, (Diane Clymens); and Magistrate, (Dave Gebers). The show ran two nights and took approximately a month to prepare. A special thanks should be given to director, Vicki Wilken, who made the show a success, and student director, Sally Yost, who did all the odd jobs. Also thanks to the lighting crew, the makeup crew, ticket crew, publicity director, Chris Dietz, Comm. II, Linda Ganzel, (for her program artwork), and all the crews involved and all the people who helped make the show a real success. Finally a thanks goes to the cast and to all the people who came to see the show. Spring Play 23