North Fort Myers High School - Lance Yearbook (North Fort Myers, FL)

Page 55 text:

1 4 gp- f 3? -J 3513? lik 12. -,lf 01' xi v ' 5 1 X V1 I V , .95 R 0 .L , vb s Q .Q UN ,,, 'Q T4 A '

Page 54 text:

From New York to North High Who said it wosn't possible to enjoy do- ing something and learn something at the same time? It couIdn't have been one of North High's Red Knights -- not if they were o port of the 1985 production of West Side Story. Over eighty students in grades 9 through 12 worked together to present Arthur Lourent's modern version of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Forty cast members song Stephen Sondheim's lyrics and danc- ed to Leonard Bernstein's music. Members of Mrs. Melanie Loy's orchestra played some of the musical numbers, while other students volunteered to play the remain- ing orchestral parts. Students in Miss Getzlaff's first and second period drama closses handled publicity, sets, costumes, makeup, ticket sales, ushering, and backstage crew assignments. Parents volunteered their time and talent to help with production duties. In December, Miss Getzlaff held tryouts for eoch of the roles and two days before Christmas vacation, she published the cost list. In addition to the four major roles of Maria CSandy Ricej, Tony CRob Pearcei, f i X 4' I feel rett sin s Sand Rice CMaria2 to Lizette Pat P Y' 9 Y ' terson Ueresitaj and LoShoun Middlebrooks I C ons uelai. Coming with a message for Tony, Anita CLori Pastirikl is stopped by gong members. West Side Story Anita CLori Pastirikj, and Bernardo CRandy Whiddenj, thirty-eight other characters were selected from the auditions. These cast members took home their librettos and studied them during the holi- day break. Then, upon returning to school on January 2nd, they started the three- month rehearsal schedule. With assistance of vocol coach Mrs. Pruella Nivery, they Ieorned to project their voices and inter- pret the song lyrics. Under the choreography of Miss Getzlaff, they learn- ed dance steps and routines and also the technique of stoge fighting. After ten weeks of practice, each actor had refined his character and had his music and choreography perfected. The final weeks of practice were ex- hausting - physicolly, mentally and emo- tionally. It was time to integrate and coor- dinate all aspects of production. Sets were used. Makeup was applied. Costumes were worn. Live music accompanied the show. Fear of forgetting lines, lyrics, cues, and dance steps ran rampant within the cast. Anxiety as to whether or not the au- diences would be appreciative and responsive was prevelant. Then, everything seemed to gel. Once those spotlightswere turned on and over- ture was played, fears disappeared. That nervous energy transformed into perform- ing energy. The Jets and the Sharks played out their roles as New York street gangs of the 'l95O's. The classic love tragedy came alive through the energies and talents of those eighty Red Knights. I was scared at first. I knew the role was very demanding, said Sandy Rice CMaria2. For three months I lived, slept, and breathed West Side Story. I knew this would be my last high school dramatic role and I was determined to do it well, ex- claimed Lori Pastirik CAnitaJ. My parents were shocked when I told them I was go- ing to oct, sing, and dance in a musical. I never reolized how strenuous performing could be - I thought football was tough, but so was this, confessed Max Soler CA-rabl Living up to the Red Knight reputation, the cast, crew, and musicians of West Side Story offered North Fort Myers High School a brilliant performance, Y g

Page 56 text:

I I i i 'Tx u 1 1 1 1 v 1 1: ix 1 1 1 1' l Enxx ,ixiicxu N 'I' 1 1 - i :WM i 1 1 x 5 M fm Y i i i -ff i 4 ,., . L .+, F' Y?-L'aQ+1, V' ,' .,4'.':':f1- 'f::g ff .A 2 - wi .':5'1v.,:',:Q,w'1,, ,-,,.,+-: 1' N5-'j'i2j'.-ir ' 1 . Lf i figjqfgyg i - , s sv 41542, -r f m - . F5542 ' , ,U --3 1 . v fgkgf '- 'Q 1- i. Qvsj' cy. 3' :bf Keeping worm during the 400 weother ore Doug I A A .. Thompson, Dole Coughy, Amy Pulsifer, ond Anno ,Jif 'Q 'Qj 5393.1 Jones, '. A ' ' fs- i i Weorlng their winter jackets, Red Knights converse in the mornings cooi oir, Trying to keep worm, Debbie Morse tightly curls up. g 4 4 L f 3551? . c ' i X . Bundlin' Up 4-X Y -+7A4.....- ..-g ,. , V 1