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

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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

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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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Actors' N ronically, the title fits. The lead, Tom Nynas opted to withdraw from The Actors' Nightmare only two days before the region contest, to participate in a fencing competition, leaving the cast in a nightmare of a situation. Because director Steve Ek knew that Nynas would be in Florida should the play win to go to the state festival on February 14, he had assigned undei'tudies. However, the sudden departure caught both him and the cast off guard, fck had assigned jon Hunt to understudy George, and Scott Getchell received Hunt's role. They had two days to memorize their lines and learn the blocking. Thanks to their dedication and an all-clay Friday rehearsal, they performed at the region contest on Saturday, February 7. Lighting technician, Chris Cook said, I was surprised at how quickly they recovered and how dedicated they were after the sudden loss of the lead ' ightmare The story of the show revolved around a man who did not know who or where he was. Everyone called him George and told him he was a character in plays he knew nothing about. He began by acting a scene from Private Lives. Then he was thrown into a scene from Hamlet followed by Checkmate by Samuel Becket. Finally, he played Sir Thomas More in A Man tor All Seasons. With his beheading by the Executioner, played by Scott Getchell, the audience was left wondering whether or not it was all a bad dream. Mollie Stickney received a star for her performance as Ellen. Other cast members included Kelle Nathe as Meg and Jill Larson as Sarah. Although they didn't place in the contest, the cast did perform at Robbinsdale Armstrong High School, and proved they could rise above the difficult situation handed to them by pulling together. 1 Acting a scene from Separate Lives, Amanda (Jill Larson) and Sybil (Mollie Stickney) pressure George to choose between them. — In her star performance, Mollie Stickney plays the part of a bag lady, and Jon Hunt plays the part of Willie from the show Checkmate. —I Director Steve Ek touches up Jill Larson's make-up before a dress rehearsal. 22 — One Act Play