A&E

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OVER Programs join forces, put on crowd pleasing musical the MOUNTAINS & INTO the WOODS

Showtime! The Green Valley Theatre department performed the production “Into the Woods,” originally written by James Lapine and composed by Stephen Sondheim, on Feb. 6-8, and 13-15. The plot of the musical follows a baker and his wife as well as several other fairy tale characters venturing into the woods, each with their own goal in mind. The students worked hard to maintain the reputation that the dpartment has sustained for years.

“We take into consideration the huge legacy and reputation in the theatre, and it puts a lot on our shoulders, so that pushes us to be our best. Everyone in the theatre has to be responsible for their own things. Everyone has to be self-reliant,” senior Mara Davis said.

Students rehearsed every day after school starting at 2:30. Early on in the rehearsal process, the cast would stay as late as 5:00. In the weeks leading up to the show, however, rehearsals would last until as late as 8 p.m. They worked tirelessly, doing full runs in their costumes and rehearsing different acts until they perfected their work.

“We don’t just rehearse something until it’s right, we rehearse something until it’s perfect and it can’t be done wrong,” senior Mara Davis said.

Putting on the production was a stressful process. Unlike many of the theatre’s performances, it was not just theatre students; there were technical theatre students, choir students, and an orchestra to help put together the production. All of the departments were reliant on each other to create the musical, and the cast was much smaller than their previous productions this year.

Nearly everyone had an important role in the play, so all of the actors need to be put on microphones. The actors needed their props from tech, tech needed sound effects from the orchestra, and the orchestra helped play the music for the actors/choir to sing along to.

“Our musical is theatre, technical theatre, choir, and orchestra, so that By Alexis Lane is a lot of people working together to make one thing happen. It’s a department-wide effort, everyone has to do their part to make it happen,” theatre advisor and director Jennifer Hemme said.

Although the actors are the only thing the audience see, a lot goes on We don’t just rehearse something until it’s right, we rehearse something until it’s perfect and it can’t be done wrong. ,,

Mara Davis ,,

behind the scenes with the lights, microphones, and props that help the actors succeed. The tech students are responsible for taking care of the actors’ microphones, stage lights, props, and plenty more that are key components for making the production work.

Before every rehearsal, sound technicians are in charge of putting microphones on the actors once they are fully dressed. Then they line everyone up to test them out and check for any problems in their microphones before they begin rehearsing. “The actors have microphones so that you can hear them over the music, and I control the levels of the volumes of the mics along with the music so you can hear them, and they sound good without any other disruptions,” senior sound technician Jessica Fellows said.

The tech’s jobs are also to help take care of the costumes, which sometimes requires making the costumes themselves such as their accessories,

dresses, or suits that need to be worn by the actors. The process of making props can be difficult as well because they have to create whole sets much bigger than the students themselves which requires scaling, putting together, and painting the props. Some of the sets seen in plays were made entirely by students. Along with helping put the play together, they actively participate in shows with controlling the lights and the microphones. The lighting technicians are a key role during the play because of the singing. Singers have their solos, and it is up to the light crew to take care of the spotlights to help draw attention to the actors.

“Theatre is both actors and technicians. We set up the props before the scene, it’s not the actors making all their clothes or putting things together. Some of us knit and put it all together. Some of the scarves seen in ‘Into the Woods’ were knitted by the students, along with the houses and sets in general are painted by technicians, everything is put together by technicians,” senior Madilyn Munoz said.

Along with the stress of theatre, a good portion of the theatre students are also in the school’s Madrigal choir, sometimes making it more dif

ficult. Although they are busy, they gave a lot of positive contributions to the musical. “Into the Woods” is known to be a more challenging musical because of the singing parts. Because they are more experienced in singing, it puts them at a big advantage when learning their parts. The choir students were able to help a lot in that department and help the students who were not in choir with their parts where they had to sing. Their own singing abilities contributed to the show. Specifically, for the newer actors who had to play since the play required a lot of vocal pieces be performed.

“I came into this show with a better understanding of how to sing certain things a little bit easier,” junior Brendan Stephens said. “The music for this show is actually pretty hard, there’s some really difficult things. So having been in choir, it’s definitely helped me learn the musical a lot faster.”

Their tireless effort and countless hours put into their department all pays off with their outstanding productions put on during the year from both the actors and technicians. Both departments make amazing shows from their talent and hard work that go into all their musicals.

Cherie Franklin

Got milk? - Sophomore Cash Freeman and senior Mara Davis rehearse the show’s opening on Feb. 6. They prepared for the show in full costume and makeup.

Let’s go to Granny’s - Sophomore Robert Tadeo and junior Joelie Mountain rehearses a scene on Feb. 4 in preparation for opening night. The cast spent hours perfecting the show in the weeks leading up to the scheduled performances.

22 a&e Break the Internet, he did Fans become infatuated with new Disney character

By Abigail Culpepper

The Internet has once again been taken over. This time by a little, green guy dubbed “Baby Yoda.” Baby Yoda, whose real name is “The Child” first appeared to viewers in the Disney+ original “The Mandalorian,” a Star Wars spin-off series. His adorable looks is what swept the audience off their feet from the beginning. Since then, the little guy has evolved into so much more.

One thing Baby Yoda has done for the Internet is unite the entire Star Wars fandom. Putting differences aside, many of those who would normally never cross from light to dark have thrown out theories about Baby Yoda’s origin. Many of the vast range of theories relate back to Yoda in some way. One theory states he is the forbidden love child of Yoda and Yaddle, two Jedi Masters who have both sat on the high council. Another group theorizes that Baby Yoda is simply old Yoda that has time traveled, or that he is a reincarnated version of old Yoda. Steering away from the theories that he is connected to yoda, one group spectates that it is plausible that the dark side manipulated the force to create “The Child.” No matter how or why Baby Yoda was created, we know he is in danger. , ,

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No matter how or why he was created, Baby Yoda is in danger. The star bounty hunter of “The Mandalorian” was sent to retrieve “The Child” and turn him over for extraction. Despite these orders, the Mandalorian has turned into more of a parental figure and has been caring for Baby Yoda.

One thing known for certain is that the creators of “The Mandalorian,” have not given fans any sort of indication whether or not one will ever know the true origin of Baby Yoda. Although we have been told that his true name will be revealed. Although no timeframe was given, in an interview, Disney CEO Bob Iger said it would be “fairly soon.”

Just like many other characters in the Star Wars galaxy, Baby Yoda has powers of his own. Thus far we have seen his amazing force-sensitivity that allows him to levitate small objects. Another one of his powers that has been revealed is the power to heal with just a touch and some simple concentration. Fans also know that upon using his powers, Baby Yoda becomes extremely exhausted and must rest before carrying on. It is speculated that with age will come strength and possibly more powers.

With the little information that is know, the obsession over Baby Yoda is proof that the Star Wars method of leaving things up in the air has worked yet again. Society is drawn to the unknown and cute things. Baby Yoda is a prime example of both these things all bundled into one. For now fans are left to wait and hope to see more of Baby Yoda.

New decade, new albums

#1 “The Slow Rush” Tame Impala

By Abigail Culpepper

The slow rush: Tame Impala’s long awaited tracks gave listeners everything they had hoped for. In the decade since Tame Impala’s debut of “Innerspeaker,” the band, actually consisting of only one man, Kevin Parker, has completely transformed himself into a multi-festival headliner. In the five year gap since the release of “Currents,” the prequel to “The Slow Rush,” Parker has taken the time to put his own bit of perfection into every track.

Despite producing music known to escape the bounds of pop, rock and dance music, Parker has kept one constant, his ethereal falsetto. Meaning his music gives a certain sense of being “otherworldly” and having unusually high male voice present. Along with this, “The Slow Rush” seems to follow the theme of time and eluding the world’s definition of perfection.

The top three songs of the album include:

“Borderline,” “Lost in Yesterday”, and “It Might Be Time”

The song “Borderline” consists of a mellow tempo and is very calming “Lost in Yesturday” is slighty faster and does a good job at making you want to sway along with the music. “It Might Be Time” has a different beat to it, but can be considred relatable. It is the fastest of the three songs and very entertaining. T h e a l b u m has good flow and it is not like every other artist out there. 9/ 10

Lil Wayne “Funeral”

Weezy has done it again. Lil’ Wayne released “Funeral” and the title had fans worrying it may be his last. Realistically, no artist would end on such a career high. After the dark period before “Tha Carter V,” “Funeral” has reconfirmed Lil’ Wayne viability as an artist. The album managed to find the perfect mix of Lil’ Wayne’s mixtape type music and his album type music. This perfect balance proved to be successful in pleasing critics and fans alike.

Another aspect that “Funeral” brings to the table is the wide variety of collaborations. Artists such as the late XXXtentacion, Adam Levine and Takeoff, are all featured on the Jan. 31st release. 8/ 10

Selena Gomez “Rare”

Halsey “Manic”

Justin Bieber “Changes”

The transformed Disney star has produced her best album yet. “Rare” seems to be the biggest, boldest step Gomez has taken on her journey of finding her own true self. The album was produced after a stormy four year gap in which gomez battled with the media’s intense coverage of both her mental and physical health. Despite these setbacks, Gomez managed to produce an album that shows a strength rooted in moving on and self love. “Cut You Off,” and “Let Me Get Me” are just two of the albums 13 songs that radiate a mature, wise and grown up artist, something Gomez has been trying to accomplish ever since her departure from Disney. 7/ 10

Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, known in the music industry as Halsey released her fourth album, “Manic” on Jan. 17 2020. Halsey’s transition from indie to pop has allowed her to broaden her fanbase.

This album embodies the emotional struggles that normal, everyday people go through all the time. No better title than, “Manic,” could be given to this rollercoaster album. As an artist, Halsey is someone who leads with emotions rather than logic and the songs confirm this. Songs like “Killing Boys,” and “You Should be Sad,” radiate Halsey’s unpredictability.

Overall, her new album is worth one’s time for at least one good listen. 6/ 10

Bieber’s Valentine’s Day release could not have been released at a better time than the day dubbed “Love Day.” The album seems to be a tribute to his wife, Hailey Bieber. After a music hiatus to focus on his own self worth and his relationship to Hailey, Bieber has proved to have used that time in just the way he told fans he would.

At its surface, “Changes,” is rooted in Haileys intense love for Bieber and how it has changed him into the man he is today.

While the album is good, a lot of the songs are really similar and sound the same. However, there are a few that are killer and you could listen to all day long and not get bored. February 2020 5/ 10