Elkhart Memorial High School - Monolith Yearbook (Elkhart, IN)

Page 28 text:

Kaleidoscope groups ‘click’ Kaleidoscope, in the material sense of the word, is a multitude of colors to delight the eye. Kaleidoscope '87 fits that description to a T. Billed as ‘a performance spectacular,’’ Kaleidoscope’s pro- ram included the Memorial Jazz and, Studio Orchestra, Drill Team, and Gold Rush. Each group practiced months before the show, and a week of intense rehearsals preceded open- ing night. A wide selection of tunes, from “Kyrie,” a contemporary piece recorded by Mr. Mister in 1986, to “Hooked on Classics,’ a popular tune including classical favorites, gave the show its variety. Mr. Donald Litherland, one of the show’s direc- tors, was positively rapturous about the Kaleidoscope '87. “Some people tell me that this year’s show is going to be twice as good as last year’s,” he informed the cast two weeks before the show, “‘but | don’t agree. It's going to be FOUR times as good!” Practices for the show were very successful. Litherland said that they really “clicked” the first time the groups practiced together. Each group depended on another for most of the numbers in the show, not in- Cluding the jazz features and a few of the Gold Rush numbers. Gold Rush was accompanied by Mrs. Nancy Lerner on the piano and Matt Miller on the drums. Soloists had their chances to ex- hibit talent throughout the show. Gold Rush member Beth Neidhamer sang a solo; Mike Moreno and Tracy Smith sang a duet, and Shannon Huneryager, Alyson Darsie, and Jeremy Fair performed a trio. The Studio Orchestra featured freshman violinists Lin Yip and Billy Wu in “Bach Double.” “Bach Double” was originally a composition written by J.S. Bach, but the Kaleidoscope ver- sion added a drumbeat that would have, according to the announcer, “made Bach turn over in his grave.”’ Jazz soloists were featured in numbers such as ‘‘Dixieland Jam’ and “Flashback.” A lot of changes were initiated into the format of Kaleidoscope ’87. One change, unpopular with Gold Rush, was that all the dancing was left to the Drill Team. According to one singer, the directors felt that the au- dience would grow tired of dancing if both groups danced during their numbers. No show seems to go off without a hitch, and the cast got a little ner- vous when the main curtain fell dur- ing the pre-show run-through. The singers also experienced some trou- ble with the sound system during the performance. Kaleidoscope is predicted to be even better next year, as each year the show is touted more. “‘Last year | almost fell asleep during the show,’ said one member of the audience. “This year, Kaleidoscope was really exciting.”” Apparently, the rest of the audience agreed, because Kaleidoscope '8 received a standing ovation as the last number was ending. Kaleidoscope was performed Jan. 17 to an almost full house. -o- At his post directing the pit orchestra, Mr. Donald Litherland has a perfect view of the show he organized with Mr. Michael Wade, Mr. Wayne Stubbs, and Mrs. Roberta Litherland. The beginning of the hit “Hooked on) Classics” displayed Memorial's entire Drill Team. The girls soon split into groups of three to perform “solo” dances. |

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Student Government members Jill Reedy, Kristin Vander Hey, Ann Vahala, and Brian Stamper share a laugh while observing Hatem Tolba’s hilarious presentation. To show the importance of communicating with others, Amy Roth dictates to Hatem Tolba how to make a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich—without looking at him!

Page 29 text:

( Quarters were cramped for the 18 strings, 23 i)Ninds, and three percussionists who played n the pit orchestra to provide the music for ihe second half of the show. Debbie Dumas, one of the show’s featured soloists, opens “We Are the World,” Kaleidoscope ’87’s finale. This number in- cluded the show’s entire cast. Billy Wu, Betsy Strubbe, Francine Lambo, Beth Golden, and Leanne Boomershine per- form Bach’s “Double Violin Concerto” with a unique twist—an added jazz beat. Jazz Band members Dwight Shulz, Kirk Rozycki, Todd Trindle, Tom Baker, Julie Zim- merle, and Kim Wiles form a Dixieland band to accompany the Drill Team in the “Dix- ieland Jam” number. For one of their feature numbers, members of Gold Rush Sharren Fager, Eric Blacklaw, and Monica McCain harmonize in “Day Is Done,” an anti-war song.