Edina High School - Whigrean Yearbook (Edina, MN)

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Bhe curtain went up and the play began. Where was director Nancy Anderson? Most likely wandering around the halls, for she rarely watched the performances. Rather she took interest in the rehearsal process, describing her favorite kinds of plays as those designed for children, with loose scripts and little attempt to be realistic. Because of Edina-East's reputation for putting on some of the top high-school theatre productions in Minnesota, Nancy received weekly calls for advice on how to set up a successful theatre program. She credited the neat, fun and dedicated kids for making her job easier. They in turn described her as a lot of fun ... like one of the kids ... a person who really has her act together. 1) Nancy Anderson demonstrates a model stage to Jim Horovltz. 2) The faces of Dawn Ringllng, Linda Hauskins and Tammy Borgeson express the fun and excitement ot performing 3) Brian Davies. Andy Marshall and Mike Kobs sing a song of sixpence 4) Lynn Thorvllson and Josh Lieber join in a chorus of Fol-lol-diddlc-dol. Mother Goose On The Loose! whirl of make-believe and fantasy. The World of Mother Goose let loose as Edina-East’s fall production. Because of its partial funding by a grant from the State Arts Board, author John B. Davidson and choreographer Carol Lipschultz were able to work with and adjust the script to the cast. Song and dance numbers to twisted nursery rhymes and tangled children's tunes resulted, performed in small groups by the large cast. The cast was chosen by director Nancy Anderson, with three times as many people trying out as parts available. Teachers Sandy Grigg, Pat Coleman and Tom Beaver made appearances in cameo roles. Rehearsals, held five days a week for six weeks, were spent trying to fit the bits and pieces together. A disappointment for the cast was discovering they would not be reimbursed for the free tickets they had given to activity card holders. This presented a financial problem, since the fall production's profits were expected to pay for the plays put on during the rest of the year. The play opened with a boy wandering in. expecting to see a story about Mother Goose. He suddenly found himself on stage, lost in a world with rules and people he didn't understand. Strange and colorful characters constantly tricked and confused him. as well as the audience. Nancy Anderson described the underlying theme as a picture of life; although a person may know right from wrong and follow the rules, the world still seems to play unfair tricks. Although reactions to the play varied. most agreed it was crazy. Some members of the cast added that while it was fun to do. the performances lacked the energy needed to completely pull it off. Lynn Thor-vilson, alias Mother Goose summed up the cast's feelings; The play was hard work but fun to perform. Somehow everything seemed worthwhile when everyone laughed. 22 PLAYS

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I 25th TOPS B silver year for the Edina-East Concert Band, the 1978 Pops Concert paid tribute to the talented musicians and exciting productions of the past twenty-five years. It was time for band members to drop everything and dedicate themselves to making Pops ’78 the best ever. Try-outs, held at Elledge’s, began before Christmas, with parts being cast on the basis of singing ability and personality. Weeks of rehearsals followed, held three or four nights a week for four to six hours. Band members choreographed the numbers. parents helped with set construction and costumes were bought, made, borrowed or rented. Conductor Bob Elledge also dressed for the occasion in a sparkling silver suitcoat. The concert opened with Telephone Hour. followed by such classics as 1812 Overture. Jazz March. Jericho and Chuck Elledge’s arrangement of Star Wars. The Dance Band also drew thunderous applause, featuring Chris Volpe on trumpet and Dave Bjerken on tenor sax. After intermission, a character named Mugsy snuck across the darkened stage, determined to steal the show. His conscience got the better of him. however, as he relived great moments from past Pops. Old favorites from How to Succeed in Business. Damn Yankees. Marne.” Sweet Charity and Applause combined with the enthusiasm. talent and unending energy of the band to add extra sparkle to the silver anniversary of Pops. And so twenty-five years of Pops were over; although faces had changed year after year, the feelings remained the same. Senior Nancy Jones summed it up. Rehearsals got to be a pain. I began to feel like I lived at school. But the concerts and the parties made up for all the hassles. It was sad when it ended. It was over too fast. POPS CONCERT 21

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fo LOMOON J«Ian 0 THE The Boy Mother Goose The Company Lisa Bankey Tammy Borgeson Brian Davies Ann Dougherty John Hendricks Beth Hunstiger Andy Marshall Paige Nienaber Beth Sallen Steve Stangler Gwynedd Warren Heidi Widell CAST Josh Lieber Lynn Thorvilson Charlie Bachmann Chris Bari Carrie Brown Mark Dorn Linda Hauskins Lisa Horecki Mike Kobs Tia Moyer Dawn Ringling Kathy SchediirJ Jon VantLand Tom Wasmoen Jill Widell Author and Artist in Residence John B. Davidson Director Nancy E, Anderson Choreographer Carol Lipschuttz Vocal Coach Diane Larsen Set Designer Alfred M. Anderson 1) Simple Simon John Hendricks asks to see exactly what pieman Charlie Bachmann has to otter. 2) Marlene Tungseth. Amy Merles and Charlie Bachmann keep their lingers crossed as Del Fredrickson posts the cast list for The Spiral Staircase l)Simplc Simon John Hendricks asks to see exactly what pieman Charlie Bachmann has to otter. 2)Marlene Tungseth. Amy Mertes and Charlie Bachmann keep their fingers crossed as Del Fredrickson posts the cast list for The Spiral Staircase. dmitting that he has been both complimented and criticized for his method of directing. Del Fredrickson described himself as a hard task-master, a stickler for detail and memorization.” While other directors have concentrated on mood development through sets or costumes, his productions have tended to be pictures of reality. His characters have been known to smoke, swear or do whatever is essential to keep things realistic. His techniques have evolved from experience and learning from his mistakes. Del began directing the school’s plays in 1950. the same year it opened. His directing duties ceased in 1967 when he became student council advisor, but resumed in 1975 as he assumed responsibility for the March play, annually presented in Thearte-in-the-Round. When asked about this type of production, he replied. Theatre-in-the-Round has always been more intense. If the audience feels involved and becomes totally emerged, forgetting that the characters are actually their classmates, then the play is a success. PLAYS 23