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

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FRED Slow sales for show As the production dates for Once Upon A Mattress” neared, a typical rehearsal began with stretches for the dancers and vocal warm-ups led by the vocal director, Paula Holmberg. Across the hall, the orchestra, under the direction of Roger Thompson, began tuning up for the whole show. Earlier, once the show was cast, rehearsals were held every day after school, but when performance time drew closer, the director, Julie Rask and Frank Plut intensified the rehearsals. The cast rehearsed weekends and on those days when school wasn't in session, all day. While the actors and actresses rehearsed, Stan Hahn, technical director, and his crew built the set designed by Jeff Phillips. The set consisted of elevations and a series of arches with the main colors being pink and crushed robin's egg blue to help create a fairytale atmosphere. The show opened to a full house of senior citizens at the special matinee performance. However, the cast worried as advance ticket sales for the evening performances seemed slower than past years. Many thought that the unfamiliar name and the pushed-up performance dates along with a lack of enough publicity contributed to a small audience opening night. As the word spread of the show's artistic success and its sheer enjoyment for audiences, ticket sales picked up. The remaining performances brought in a good audience. Jon Hunt who played the Jester said, When we had a bigger crowd, I was able to use the laughter of the audience to encourage me to add more to my performance. Musical — 27

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— Sir Harry. Chris Harris, expresses his love for Lady Larkin, Laura Woinzotl, bofor© he loaves to find a truo princess. Sir Harry and Lady Larkin cannot bo married until Prince Dauntloss is wed. — — Tho kingdom awaits in anticipation to see if Princess 12, Mollie Stickney, will pass the Queen's final question asked by tho Wizard. Adam Rautio. — — 1 Aftor swimming the moat. Princess Win-nifred. Shannon Smith, asks, Who's tho lucky man? ONCE UPON A MATTRESS CAST: Seated in Front: L. Christenson, J. Mundalo, E. Rautio. L. Weinzetl. J. Hunt, T. Hesse, M. McGrath, C. Fraser, Z. Scherschligt. J. Choih. L. Augustinack. Second Row: J. Gustafson. S. Smith, J. Scherschligt, A. Hoekstra. D. HudrlUc, A. VanDusen, S. Hawes, M. Subialka. Third Row: Director J. Rask. O. Ansari, A. Gibson, S. Salhus, S. Brown. K. Tessman. Fourth Row: Director F. Plut, E. Skogrand, D. Albus, M. Stickney, K. Kloos, S. Mueller, H. Gossard, B. Ober, C. Rabo, C. Harris, A. Rautio. T. Johnson. 26 — Musical

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I For a dramatic close to the pepfest. an Egg McMuifln eating contest is held between representatives of the sophomore, junior, and senior classes. Tom Miller's stulf in the mouth technique to devour Egg McMuffins helps lead the senior team to yet another victory. —. As Maria Dimberio, Mary Bernstrom. and Ruth Morris look on. senior Mollie Sticknoy is crowned Snow Queen. As Queen, Stickney reigns ovor tho day's iostivitios. — — After being downed Snow Daze King and Queen, Jon Hunt and Mollie Stickney give each other a congratulatory hug. Following two rounds of balloting by the senior class, they woro chosen by popular vote. 28 — Snow Daze