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

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Cast Gives Best Shot New people and new ideas formed the backbone of the fall play. The Murder Room, an English comedy about an eccentric, wealthy man, Edgar Hollister, and his wife Mavis. Mavis married Edgar only for his money, and after living with him for one day determined that she really hated him and decided to murder him. Several things go wrong, however, and the plot twists and thickens into a tangled web of deception and intrigue. An absence of directors caused some of the more concerned actors actresses to panic, until the school hired Todd Hanson and Jim Ibister. The new directors brought new ideas to rehearsals such as trust exercises which encouraged trust among cast members, leading to a cast that worked well together. Rob Thompson exercised the cast physically and mentally every night to heip bring more energy to the show. Hanson, a graduate of Cooper, said, Cooper has so much talent, it was really difficult to pick the cast. Hanson and his co-director Ibister both attended St. Cloud State University where they majored in theater. The directing and acting progressed as planned in the four and one half weeks they had to prepare, but the construction of the set caused much distress because it could not be built until the week immediately preceding the opening of the show. Todd and Jim were really a breath of fresh air with their ideas, said Scott Brown, the delivery boy. Although the cast endured lack of sleep, the annual fall flu epidemic, and long rehearsals, Corey Hels said the last week was Incredibly hectic, crazy, fast-paced, uniquely stimulating, hyperactive and wonderful. — I Mistaking Constable Howard, Corey Hels, as her father, Susan, Julie Mundale, embraces him. — Lottie, Shannon Smith, is not quite sure what to think as Barry, Jon Kohnen, sings “Home on the Range, as an after-dinner diversion. 1 CAST: Front row: J. Mundale, C. Hels, W. Waszut, J. Kohnen. Back row: S. Brown, S. Smith, D. Webber, J. Olson, M. Stickney. 20 — Fall Show

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— Honoring E. |. Cooper on his 90th birthday, the mystery guests, The Jets, lead the audience in singing Happy Birthday. i A Cooper sweatshirt is accepted by E. J. Cooper from the H.E.A.R.T. organization. | Snow King, Scott Dalchow, and Snow Queen, Sheryl Ottney. — E. J. Cooper's granddaughter presents him with a picture collage from past years. Snow Week — 19

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I After putting cyanide in her husband's cocoa, Mrs. Hollister, Wendy Waszut, is surprised to find Edgar still alive. | [ Lottie, Shannon Smith, winces as Inspector Crandall, David Webber, whips out his badge to prove his identity. Fall Show — 21