E J Cooper High School - Talons Yearbook (New Hope, MN)

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Show relies on patience, dedication Following auditions in mid-December, cast members of The Music Man rehearsed an average of twenty hours a week. In addition to after school rehearsals, dancers spent four hours each night perfecting their steps. On weekends. Stan Hahn directed the technical crew in constructing the set Jeff Phillips designed. Don Spangler rehearsed the orchestra after school. The Music Man contained six large dance numbers. This meant that dancers had to be well-disciplined mentally as well as physically. Kris Lason said, Before we went on stage, we had to be ready for anything to happen. When we did go on. we had to know what to do. when to do it. and how to do it in time with the music.” In one memorable number. Shipoopi. Marcellus. played by Rob Berdahl, sang as the town kids broke out in dance steps Harold Hill had taught them. When Hill met Marian at the library, he told her how he loved her. and the kids once again danced to Hill's singing. Brame said. Being in a musical takes a lot of time and dedication. Commitment toward the show is a priority, but all the time invested is worth the effort when our goal of a successful show is met on opening night. The Music Man had a run of six shows in late February and early March. I Harold Hill. Steve Zahn, and ' Sheryl Brame. escape to the footbrl .their love for each other in the sor Was You. 26 — Musical

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‘Music Man’ premieres as Theatre’s main attraction Meredith Willson's. The Music Man. opened on the Cooper stage February 27. With assistance from the DECA program, the Drama Department hosted a successful matinee performance for over 700 senior citizens. After the show, the guests were invited backstage to meet the cast and to enjoy refreshments. When the curtain rose, the audience applauded Steve Zahn in the role of con man Harold Hill. Hill comes to River City. Iowa, to swindle a deal by starting a boys' band. His plans are sidetracked when he falls in love with the local librarian, Marian Paroo. Marian, played by junior Sheryl Brame. also falls in love with Hill. Together they protect each other from the town gossip-mongers and still find time to escape to the footbridge for a moment alone. By the end of the show. Hill manages to form a band; and he proves his ability to teach a new method of learning music. Neal Luebke returned to the director's chair for the show after ten years away from high school musicals. New staff member Julie Rask. who worked on Cooper shows since 1984, assisted Luebke; and other directors worked with the cast on singing and dancing. Lee Ann Herbert returned as head choreographer, with Rask assisting during rehearsals. Vocal director Janice Kimes also returned for her fourth year at Cooper teaching vocal control and technique. Kimes told cast members, Learning the words is only a small part of singing. Breath control, diction. and projection are keys to successful singing and to a successful show. Don Spangler directed the orchestra for the show. Because the show required younger children, the Schirmacher name appeared on the cast list four times. Rebecca, a third grader, and seventh-grade Mark joined Julie, a junior, and senior Amy Schirmacher in the performances. ★ 1 Harold Hill. Steve Zahn. confesses his love to Marian. Sheryl Brame. while he sings Madam Librarian. Julie Schirmacher and Jon Kohnen demonstrate their young love as they enjoy a romantic view from the footbridge. Musical — 25

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— Pick-A-Little Ladres gossip about Marian and her adventures with Balzac and Rabelais 1 Don Spangler directs the orchestra during an all-day rehearsal. Musical — 27