Posted: 3/7/06
'Oklahoma' production draws large group of students
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
More than 50 Caledonia Middle and High School students will present the musical ìOklahomaî this weekend
Friday and Saturday showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. Sunday is at 2:30 p.m.
Eliott Kranz and Kim Kranz are directing the Rodgers and Hammerstein play.
ìTheyíve come a long way in the last couple weeks so it kind of looks like a show,î Eliott Kranz said about the actors on March 1.
He has worked on smaller musicals in each of the past two years, but felt a larger program was needed to get more students involved.
The third-year teacher got his wish. About 45 students auditioned for acting parts, and while not all were chosen, everyone was put to work at one of the many jobs that a musical has to offer. ìI felt it was a very good response for the first time.î
Why Oklahoma? ìI looked at the music and thought the music would fit the talent we have here at Caledonia Middle School and High School,î Kranz answered. ìIt was basically a talent thing.î
A lot of people on stage and in character can be a logistical headache, he added. ìThey have done a nice job.î
Eliott is in charge of vocals and plays the piano. Kim is directing the play and did blocking and staging. Carrie Erickson is in charge of the band, and Dustin Moburg plays trombone in the pit orchestra. ìIt really actually is a full music department production,î Eliott said.
Ancy Hellickson, Joanne and Mike Novak, and Jeanne Barber painted and drew the set and built the barn and porch. Hellickson is also helping getting stage props on and moving them.
ìI cannot thank them enough,î Kranz said.
The rights to produce the play are expensive, he added. ìIt really is amazing that a school of this size can put on any musical for that matter,î Kranz said.
The highlight for him is seeing the kids grow and do thing they donít think they can do. Itís a lot to ask, developing characters, memorizing lines, and singing the parts.
Finding people to play in the band was hard too because of the size of the cast, Kranz said. Some students wanted to act and play music, so he and Erickson collaborated to find who could do what. ìYou work together and you take where you think their strengths lie,î Kranz said.
The production also has eight middle school kids. Itís good to get the younger students involved with older ones, Kranz believes. ìThey think, ëSome day, I can do that.íî
Eight students will be playing instruments for music for the play.
Students liking it
Band rehearsals are going well, Carrie Erickson said on March 3. Itís new for students, and not easy, because they often play in unfamiliar keys to accommodate the singers.
ìItís tough music because thereís a lot of style changes and weíre in an accompanying role,î she said.
The students are excited, she added. ìThey seem like theyíre having a good time with it.î
Student Chelsea McManimon-Moe, who plays Ado Annie, agreed with that. ìI think itís going good. Itís a lot of fun,î she said on March 3.
The larger cast of 30 students has added more excitement and fun to the rehearsals, Chelsea feels.
One big challenge has been learning so much music. ìBlending the songs can take a lot of practice and getting all the dance,î she said.
But people are getting into their characters more as they learn the lines. ìInstead of seeing me, Chelsea, I see Ado Annie on stage,î she said.
Mr. Kranz was worried that the students would think it was hick play, Chelsea said, but itís not. ìIt makes you laugh every time you hear it,î she said. ìEach different song youíll sing it and have it in your head. I think that makes it a good musical, when you leave and you have the music in your head. Rodgers and Hammerstein are just great. Itís such a family play. Itís for all ages.î
Cast and crew
Here is the cast and crew of the play.
CAST: Aunt EllerñZoe Lidstrom; CurlyñAlex LeFebvre; LaureyñKelly Bauer; Ike SkidmoñMicah Crawford; FredñAndrell Hudson; SlimñJustin Langen; Will ParkerñJohn Salo; Jud FryñBen Salo; Ado Annie CarnesñChelsea McManimon-Moe; Ali HakimñMax Dunnebier; Gertie CummingsñCady Hoscheit; EllenñBrooke Christian; KatieñLaura Roesler; SylvieñAlecia Welscher; ArminañJenna Schmitz; AggieñMarrissa Shepherd; Andrew CarnesñLucas Harguth; Cord ElamñJustin Cole; Joe-Tobias Jorgensen
CHORUS: Clare McCarthy, Shea Getting, Margaret Zieke, Melissa Wray,Courtney Schroeder, Sarah Zieke, Tory Macejik, Christen Schieber, Chelsey Kohnen, Rachel Von Arx, Amelia Lidstrom
CREW: soundñAndrew Nuemann; lights-Sean Strabley; backstageñThomas Bulman, Bridget Macomber, Jayde Schoh, Chyann Weber, Brittany Gannon, Kody Steele, Ellen Klug.
BAND: pianoñBrian Heim; drumsñSarah Kruse; clarinet-Amelia Schaller; bass clarinetñJane Pettit; trumpetñJessica Kruckow; tromboneñDustin Moburg; bassoonñBen Fink; drumsñJoey Macejik; set designñAncy Hellickson, Jeanne Barber, Mike Novak, Joanne Novak.
Stage manager is Heidi Miller
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com