March 6, 2008

Castillero students take the stage

Middle School presents ‘Seussical the Musical’

By Shana McLean Moore
Staff Writer

The advanced drama students of Castillero Middle School take the stage for a six-show run of “Seussical the Musical” this week, when they will prove they have spent their winter in a most “un-Seussly” way. After all, when “the sun did not shine and it was too wet to play”… they had no time to be sitting in the house on all those cold, cold wet days.

Instead, the 41 students, led by their talented and dedicated teachers, Sharol Felch and Diane Zlotziver, practiced the rhyming lines, rehearsed the songs and learned the dance steps they will present to audiences young and old.

Sixth grader Jamie Landrum, one of the colorful bird girls in the show, has most enjoyed the fun environment for getting to know new friends. “We all feel like we’ve been taken in like a member of the family,” said Landrum.
Maddie Salah, a seventh grader who plays the role of Gertrude McFuzz, enjoys the “bright, fun and crazy costumes” and is grateful that her early nerves about singing in front of her classmates have morphed into feeling like she is “just having fun with the friends you’ve made.”

Eighth graders Annali Gavidia and Kayla Critchfield will remember mentoring the younger students and hope to continue acting through high school and beyond. “Drama class makes me excited to visit New York,” said Critchfield.

Zlotziver is impressed with the group of students she’s worked with this year. “They are very energetic and eager to learn. They are having a lot of fun… even during the hectic week before opening night,” said Zlotziver. “I really hope the community comes out to see the show. The kids have worked hard and are ready for an enthusiastic audience.”

In addition to the many 10-hour days worked by the staff and students, countless volunteers, including parents, high school students and generous community members, have put in hundreds of hours preparing for the show.

Michelle Herlth led the costume design crew that was responsible for bringing the costumes out of director Felch’s imagination and onto the stage. “It was great to buy all the fun fabrics you usually walk by at the fabric store and want to touch,” said Herlth.

Kelly McElravey, whose daughter graduated from the program last year, came back to choreograph the dance steps for the students, while volunteer parent Kathryn Veregge donated her time and talent for vocal training. Other parents such as Jim Wolk spent their weekends constructing and painting the sets.

Felch is grateful to all the volunteers who generously donated their time to the production by sewing, running errands, constructing, painting, coordinating ticket sales, promoting the show, and feeding the students on long days of practice. “We truly couldn’t put on a show like this without the dedicated parents and community members who step up to help.”

The students, staff and volunteers will know it has been worthwhile when the house lights go up and they see a smiling audience who has enjoyed an evening of “good fun that is funny.”

“Seussical the Musical” will be performed at the Black Box Theatre at Castillero Middle School on two weekends, March 6-8 and March 13-15. Tickets can be purchased at the door: $10 for adults and $7 for students.