Volume 52 Issue 4
southblueprint.com
Downers Grove South High School
@DGSBlueprint
@DGSBlueprint
April. 13, 2017
@DGSBlueprint
Not your sister’s musical: an edgier Cinderella Seniors seek thrills By Danielle Prazak, Print Opinions Editor
at Six Flags
On April 27-30 the DGS acapella choir will be putting on a production of “Cinderella”. The musical will feature over 50 students, including junior Jessica Windischman and senior Sean McCarthy as Cinderella and Prince Charming. The musical does not follow the Brothers Grimms’ gruesome plot, nor the well-known Disney version. Christopher Blum is one of the co-directors of the musical and explained the key differences in this rendition. “The main story is the same story we all grew up knowing. Rogers & Hammerstein [the writers of this version] bring this story to the musical stage with different songs, additional characters and highlights of other relationships within the tradi- Choir teacher Laura Coster instructs the students as they prepare for the Cinderella production during their daily sixh period rehearsal. tional story,” Blum said. Photo by Claire Pikul Windischman described what she believes makes this story different McCarthy and Windischman shared creating sets and props and they always from the well-known version of Cinder- some of the differences seen in their in- produce the most fabulous sets. Our set ella. dividual roles. this year will be a very transitional set, “There’s more conflict based on the “[Cinderella] definitely has much meaning things will be moving around townspeople and the way the govern- more personality. She’s more driven and a lot,” Blum said. ment is run. It’s not just the typical has a fire in her. She wants to make the Along with the stage crew, the stuprincess love story. There’s more con- prince aware of issues in the kingdom,” dents working in the pit-orchestra will tent and comedy in it,” Windischman Windischman said. also help bring the performance togethsaid. “I think the prince is much more im- er by playing the soundtrack of CinderlThis version of Cinderella not only mature and naive. He still has a lot to la. Co-director of the pit-orchestra Joy contains new characters but new quali- learn,” McCarthy said. Belt explained what it is like to work ties in previously developed characters. The choir students all go through a direct alongside Roselieb. complex audition process, “Mr. Roselieb is one of the best pit and Blum elaborated on directors. He is very accurate and dethe role he plays in the de- tailed in rehearsals and makes the pit cision making. sound amazing. I have had some pa“I cannot look at a sin- trons in the past say that they can’t begle kid and a single role. lieve the pit are all high school players, You have to view the en- that they sound like professionals. Well, tire production as a puzzle they sound like professionals because and how each kid fits with Mr. Roselieb expects only their best, one another. We have and he gets it,” Belt said. so much talent at DGS The acapella choir, stage crew and it makes it very hard to pit orchestra have all been putting in cast, but every role is im- months of work to complete the producportant to the overall suc- tion of “Cinderella”. cess of a show. At the end “We practice after school for three to of the day my job is to put four hours about four times a week, and together the best possible everyday during sixth period,” McCarshow for the entire choir thy said. and make the most enterOther featured singers and actors in taining show our audienc- the musical alongside McCarthy and es have come to expect,” Windischman will be Tim Werner, LydBlum said. ia Walsh-Rock, Bri Leys, Mia Fallara, The cast consists of Nathanial Parson, Jacob Doty and Vanacapella choir students, essa Copeland. though they are not the Tickets will be sold at $10 for adults, only ones who are part of $5 for children and seniors and free for the show. The stage crew students with their ID present. Showis making sure everything times will be 7 p.m. on April 27-29 and runs smoothly backstage. 3 p.m. on April 30. “We are lucky to have “It’s so magical and fun. We’ve been Mr. Evans as our Techni- putting in so much time and effort into Students listen to direction and rehearse some of Cinderella’s cal Director here at DGS. it. Everyone is really talented, and it’s most memorable pieces of music. He ensures that his kids going to be a great show,” Windischman Photo by Claire Pikul learn the proper way of said.
By Gabrielle Bartkeviciute, Print Editor-in-Chief On Saturday May 20, the seniors will embark on a night of thrills at a grad event hosted by Six Flags Great America. Before the night can begin, seniors will have to cough up $65 for a night to remember according to Activities Director Jennifer Martinez. “From speaking with the representatives from Great America, I think that students should expect a fun-filled night and making a lot of great memories with their friends, especially before everyone ventures off to college. Whether students are going to College of Dupage or going to an out-of-state university, it’s still going to change how frequently students are able to see each other,” Martinez said. Student safety is a priority for Six Flags Great America and DGS. Martinez explained that school rules still apply when on the trip, and that Six Flags Great America will be focusing on the items students bring. “The biggest part of the safety is the students need to abide by all school rules. Before we enter the park someone from the park comes onto the bus and just talks to the students about the things they are bringing in because they can’t bring in beverages, anything that’s metal, just like going through the airport. Lot’s of chaperones and lot’s of fun,” Martinez said. Another big part of student safety is chaperons; exactly one chaperon should be present for every 20 students that signs up. Martinez wants students to ask their favorite teachers to join them on this field trip so that seniors can enjoy their night.
Photo by Gabrielle Bartkeviciute