Grafton High School - Re Echo Yearbook (Grafton, WV)

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Spring Musical 19

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Keeping the 'tradition’ Tradition was the one word that this year’s spring musical seemed to center around. Throughout the show, one could see the different traditions” that clashed. The setting was 1905 Russia, just before the Revolutionary Period broke out, and the conflicts were between the Russian Jews and their fellow countrymen. Ideals among the young were changing, and the older village people had a hard time accepting them. They wanted to keep the traditions alive. Of course, the show was Fiddler on the Roof.” After months of hard work, dedication and endurance, the stage was set. Last minute jitters seemed to be everywhere on Friday, May 3, before curtain time. But, as Tradition, the opening number, came off without a hitch, it was obvious that all the grueling rehearsals had been worth it. Of course, things didn’t always run that smoothly. When rehearsals began in January, many cast members had to concentrate on the accents of their characters. And during mid-January, nine of the leading characters attended a workshop at Northbend State Park. Those who attended were Brad Criss, who had the lead role of Tevye, the dairyman; Kevin Dean as Motel, the tailor; Bryce Findley as Perchik, the student; Catherine Harman as Yente, the matchmaker; Vici Johnson, as Chava, Tevye s daughter; and Charlene Kinsey as Tzeitel, another daugher. All of the above were seniors. Juniors Cheryl McDaniel, who played Hodel. another daughter of Tevye, and Pam Shreve, playing Tevye's wife Golde. also attended the workshop. Mr. Ken Godwin, choral director, was also the director for the play. He and Mr. Gregg Brown, artistic director, chaperoned the characters to the workshop. Mr. David Wanstreet of West Virginia University donated his services as the choreographer for the play. Mr. Geary Rollins and Mr. Charles Wiseman assisted with the lighting and the sound. This show was the biggest production in the school's history. The cast numbered 120 with various crews and other patrons offering help. TEVYE AND HIS neighbors are stunned after they learn that they have been evicted from their village. TRADITION. EXPLAINS TEVYE (Brad Criss. senior) to his daughter Tzeitel (Charlene Kinsey, senior) and her intended Motel (Kevin Dean, senior), who have given each other their pledge without his permission. DURING THE To Life sequence, the Russian sol. diers pay their respects to Tevye on the marriage of his eldest daughter. FINDING THEY ARE the perfect match. Hodel (Cheryl McDaniel, junior) and Perchik (Bryce Findley. senior) embrace after they decide they will wed 18 Spring Musical

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. . . 'tradition’ l J Due to the 17 snow days, the show had to be cancelled for one week in order to get in the necessary practice. The practice paid off, and, according to the student body, the play was a success. I really enjoyed myself, said Danielle Heston, freshman. Australian exchange student Brett Bourke said, It s one of the best shows I've ever seen. Everything about it was so professional. We've done shows back home, but never anything like this. A number which immediately received applause was the Bottle Dance. Four young men balanced bottles on their heads while juggling other bottles. They also formed a line, going onto their knees and into a standing position again, still with the bottles placed on their heads. The most talked about number was the Dream sequence, where Tevye tells his wife Golde about his horrible dream. It had ghosts of family members and friends, even the nine foot tall Fruma — Sarah. She was formed by Larry Weaver, junior, and alumni Joy Steadman, who sat on his shoulders. The special effects, ranging from a spinning bed to fog, kept the audience in suspense. By Sunday afternoon, after the last note was sung and everyone had left, the actors felt that they had done a job well done and had kept the tradition of the school musical. 20 Spring Musical PATIENTLY ENDURING THE effects of spirit gum Senior Rich Ellington waits while Junior Becky Setler adjusts his beard. SHARING A TENDER moment are Tevye (Brad Criss, senior) and his wife Golde (Pam Shreve. junior).