It is seldom I can sit still for more than a few minutes at a time when I am sitting down. I fidget a bit and have a hard time getting comfortable.
Last Saturday night I found that I had set perfectly still in a hard plastic chair for an hour and a half . . . I had not moved. Through the entire first act of “Les Miserables,” I sat mesmerized and with mouth gaped open. In an incredible array of pomp and magic, for almost three hours the Siegel High School Choral Department put on the best display of talent and theatrical entertainment I’ve probably ever seen in Murfreesboro. Several times I had to pinch myself and look around the theater to make sure I was not at the Jackson Hall in Nashville, or in New York.
In case I am not getting my point across, I was overwhelmed at the beautiful, artistic array on the magnificent stage; the 70-plus students were not only giving their all to the audience, but they seemed to be having incredible fun while doing it. No senior high school anywhere should have this much talent bottled up in one place.
Regardless, production director/producer/musical director Brenda Gregory and her crew of thespians know how to pop the bottle cap once a year and give five sold-out audiences the time of their lives.
The singing, acting, dance moves, all were superb. Choreographed by Hanna Freeman, I kept asking myself, “How are they doing that?” The blocking, the timing, the minute details, the sheer intensity?all were spectacular.
I wish I had room here to list the entire cast, production crew, musicians and technical crew. You all had my attention and my total respect for your ability and talent. However, I DO have to mention a few of these dazzling young performers, and they include Jason Witt as “Jean Valjean,” David Corlew as “Javert,” Chip Steen as “Marius,” Lindsey Mapes as “Cosette” and Katie Hahn also as “Cosette,” Ashley England as “Eponine,” Emilee Jordan as “Madame Thenardier,” David J. Whitaker as “Monsieur Thenardier,” Ciera Feathers as “Fantine” and Matt Chase as “Enjoiras.” These leads carried the entire cast into the hearts and memories of all those who watched, in total awe, this solid, wonderful performance.
Now, after “Fame” last year, “Les Miz” this year, what do you do Ms. Gregory for an encore? I wait in anticipation for the 2010 production of your choral and drama students. I also want to thank another one of your wonderfully talented students, Garrett Troutt, for inviting me to this show. By the way, it is rare I see a show twice. This particular show I saw on Saturday, and I brought a friend to see it again on Monday.
Last year, it was storming during the performance; again this year, we were having thunderstorms during the show. Indeed God must rain down all His beautiful talents onto the stage of Siegel High.
Booth is in our prayers
It is with great remorse I must tell of a cancellation of the production “Twilight of the Golds” at Murfreesboro Little Theatre, which was actually to have started last weekend and continue through this weekend. Because of illness of talented and well-known actor Brian M. Booth, E. Roy Lee had stepped into the part, which was to have a four day showing this weekend. Now, word is Mr. Booth has become extremely ill, is in Vanderbilt Hospital, and the Theatre has decided to cancel the show at this time. It is with intense prayer and thoughts of healing that our minds should be on Brian at this time, with a speedy recovery.
Booth was also scheduled to appear in Tony Lehew’s “Everyday Heroes,” which was scheduled for a two-day, four-show run at Liquid Smoke. That show has also been canceled, for now, due to the actors’ illness.
See ya at the show
UPCOMING
AUDITIONS
“Big River”
at Murfreesboro/
Rutherford County
Center for the Arts
Sunday, May 17, at 4 p.m.; Monday, May 18, at 7 p.m.
Roles available for a large
multiethnic cast with many musicians and actors (ages 15 and up). Come prepared with a bluegrass or Broadway styled song to sing and be prepared to read from the script. If you play an instrument (guitar, fiddle, harmonica, piano, etc.) bring it and play a short piece. The show is directed by Jesse Cannady and will run July 31 – Aug. 16. For more information, contact the director at jesse@boroarts.org or
(615) 904-ARTS
“Daddy’s Dyin’ . . .
Who’s Got The Will?”
at Murfreesboro
Little Theatre
Monday, May 18, at 6 p.m.; Tuesday, May 19, at 6 p.m.
Roles available for 5 females and 3 males of varying ages
Auditions consist of cold reading from the script. The show is directed by George W. Manus Jr. and will run July 10 – 12 and 17 – 19. For information contact the director at (615) 869-8617
