THE GREEN ARCH
PAGE 6
Features
MARCH 2020
‘CHICAGO’ SCORCHES ON ARCHMERE STAGE
Elizabeth Joslin of Haverford High School Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Cappies Society “Who says that murder’s not an art?” Archmere Academy’s production of Chicago: High School Edition brought spectacular theatrics into a story of crime and cruelty. Based on a 1926 play about criminals and their elaborate stories, Chicago, the jazzy musical, depicts murderers Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly with their thirst for fame. Each criminal enlists the services of the avaricious lawyer, Billy Flynn, only to learn the hard way that fame is fleeting, and spotlights die quicker than victims. Archmere Academy delivered a flashy production, creating the exciting 1930’s jazz scene right before the audience’s eyes. Opening with the evocative number, “All that Jazz,” Alyssa Noval captured the intoxicating character of Velma and unveiled impressive vocals accompanied by an unmatched stage presence. Noval’s Velma Kelly was the perfect balance to Serena Martin’s Roxie Hart while the two women nailed “My Own Best Friend.” Billy Flynn, played by
Riley McAvinue, brought levity to the stage with his excellent comedic timing and the proper contrast to these malicious women. Another standout was Rob Smith’s portrayal of Amos Hart, whose performance of “Mr. Cellophane” was absolutely adorable. Though ensemble energy was at times low, the driving aspect of the production was the exciting and elaborate choreography. Truly the unsung hero of the show, Alexis Rendel choreographed multiple dance numbers including the electric “We Both Reached for the Gun.” Executed exceptionally by the Reporter’s Chorus, the choreography secured the true nature of the musical. Also the costume leader, Rendel’s artistic talent filled the stage with dark features to fit the tone of the story. The sound team led by Zach Christie and Eric Collins recovered from minor technical difficulties with ease to produce a clear sound to fill the theater with powerhouse vocals. The lighting created by Ethan
Ferrera allowed for sharp mood shifts and accentuated scenes such as the trial. These technical aspects brought the unique character to the story and added that “razzle-dazzle” the show required. All in all, Archmere Academy’s Chicago: High School Edition was the kind of triumph that would make audience members kill to see it again. The cast certainly had it coming!
“Chicago” was a daring production that could not have been so wildly successful without the professionalism, talent, and maturity of the cast and crew. I could not have been prouder of what we achieved! --Mr. Brian Manelski, Director of the Production
photo courtesy of Barksdale Photos Julia Parisi ‘20--as “Mama Morton”--presides over the women’s cell block in Cook County Jail.
The Auks Travel Corner: 72 HOURS IN BEAVER CREEK, COLORASarah Jalot ‘20 STAFF REPORTER
Moose, known for having the best pizza in the village, is an easy a delicious dinner option whether you want to dine in or take back to your hotel or cabin.
Senior Sarah Jalot offers sage advice for those seeking winter fun in the Colorado resort. Photo is hers (Winter 2020). When to Go: When visiting the resort, avoid the weekendsi if possible to ensure that the Village and slopes are not too crowded. I would recommend going from Wednesday through Friday to ensure you have the best experience. Where to Stay: Beaver Creek offers many different lodging options from the 5-star Ritz-Carlton, which offers slopeside dining and an oasis spa, to the kid-friendly St. James Place, which has an indoor heated pool and hot tub and serves free hot cocoa daily in the lobby. When booking lodging, consider the size of your travel group. Start searching at least three months in advance for a small group and four to five months in advance if your travelling with a larger group to ensure
that you can book the hotel, condo, or rental that best fits your group’s needs or preferences. Wednesday: Upon arrival at the resort, the Village shutter service will drop you off at your hotel or condo so that you can check in. After settling into your room, explore the Village and grab a bite to eat. My suggestion for eager stomachs is the Dusty Boot Roadhouse, a family friendly tex-mex restaurant, located just steps away from St. James Place and the Park Hyatt, known for their Colorado angus beef burgers. Jumping on the slopes might be the first thing you want to do, but it is best to wait a day to ensure that your body adjust to the elevation so that no one gets elevation sickness. If you are anxious to do something more
than walk around, the ice skating rink located in the center of the Village is a perfect activity for kids of all ages and kids at heart. Thursday: After a good night’s rest, it’s time to hit the slopes. If you have kids in ski school, be sure tocheck them in to their respective area by 8:30 a.m. Most of the chair lifts open at the same time,so if you are ready with all of your gear, head up the mountain. If you would prefer to ski or snowboard where it’s a little warmer and easier to get to, you can stay at the base of the mountain by taking Haymeadow Express Gondola, or head up to the main part of the mountain by taking Centennial Express. After a few runs, you might be ready for lunch. I suggest Spruce Saddle for any skier or
boarder. Spruce is a great lunch hotspot located at the top of Centennial Express Chairlift with options for everyone from freshly rolled sushi to handcrafted pizza. After lunch you have until 4 p.m. to finish hitting as many slopes as you can. This is a perfect time to take Cinch Express Chairlift to the top of the mountain to see a one-of-a-kind view of the entire bottom half of the mountain. Once you are done skiing or snowboarding, grab a chocolate chip cookie, freshly made and hand delivered by the bakers at the bottom of the mountain everyday at 3 p.m. Those who are tired out from the eventful day will find Blue Moose Pizza the perfect dinner place. Located right next to the ice rink in the center of the Village, Blue
Friday: Thursday’s busy day on the slopes will without a doubt leave you exhausted. Here’s a perfect chance to go explore the Village more in depth and take some time to shop. Whether you are looking for new gear or stylish clothing, there are endless options in the Beaver Creek Village, including many common stores around the Village such as Patagonia with an equal mix of stores unique to Beaver Creek such as Frinje. As you wrap up your stay at Beaver Creek, it’s a perfect night to head up the mountain to Zach’s Cabin for dinner. Guests reach Zach’s by a star-lit sleigh ride, pulled by a snow cat, also known as a trail groomer . Upon arrival, everyone is offered slippers to wear to match the cozy cabin vibes. As you wrap up your trip to Beaver Creek, I assure that you will have no regrets on your choice to stay there.
