2010-04-24 MVHS Theatre's first year & upcoming musical

Metea Valley Theatre has had a fantastic first year so far and its biggest performance is coming up next week.

Since the auditorium was not available until recently, space within the school was used creatively for the first three shows. October’s “I’m Getting Murdered in the Morning” was a dinner theater murder mystery in The Commons that presented the difficulty of performing with most of the actors on set for whole time, with audience members on three sides and some cast members interacting with the audience. The winter show “Twelve Angry Jurors” was performed three January evenings in the LMC. This show had a much larger audience turnout than anticipated and chairs were being quickly added up until show time.

Last month thirteen students presented “Holes” for Group Interpretation. They performed six times during the school day on March 18 for student audiences and once that evening for family and friends in the school’s Black Box Theater. The team took 6th place in sectionals that weekend. I’d never seen a GI performance and it was really impressive. In GI all actors are on stage all the time and there are no props, scenery, or costumes. The students each play several parts including props! One student narrates and the dialog and action moves along at a quick pace so they get through the entire story in just 30 minutes.

The first theatrical production in the school’s auditorium will be “The Pajama Game.” This musical comedy has been performed on Broadway many times and the 1957 film version starring Doris day is well-known. The story takes place in a pajama factory where workers are demanding a seven-and-a-half cent raise. Some songs that may be familiar from this show are “Steam Heat,” “Once a Year Day,” and “Hernando’s Hideaway.”

The cast, pit, and crew of over 100 students have spent many hours over the last couple of months preparing to put on this show. The show’s set was designed by director Jay Fontanetta and put together by technical director Jeff Schmela. Choreography is by Ryan Doherty with assistance from Waubonsie Valley grad Annie Stephens. Nathan Bramstedt is the music director, Don Devany pit, and Bunny Stanley costumes.

At the start of the year it was challenging to choose which musical would be performed since the talents of the students were unknown to the directors. Even though the school has only freshmen and sophomores, the directors told me the students have been hard-working, dedicated, energetic, and enthusiastic and have really risen to the occasion.

Other challenges have been learning how to work the new light and sound board. Even people with years of experience had much to learn with this new state-of-the-art equipment. Time management was another big issue. The auditorium became available late in the school year and even then had other events being held in that space such as Orchesis and the grand opening music concert. Student availability presented other conflicts including GI, which overlapped musical rehearsal for weeks, and the band trip to Disney World.

When I spoke earlier this week with Jay Fontanetta and Ryan Doherty, both mentioned to me the terrific support they’ve had from the administration as they have gone above and beyond with helping out. They also both said that the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation is providing a grant for a lighting system in the Black Box Theatre, which is an alternate performance space.

My son is fortunate to have been involved in these outstanding opportunities as a freshman and has enjoyed being a part of all of the shows this year. From what I’ve seen, the students and staff have done a phenomenal job and I look forward to seeing Metea’s first musical.

“The Pajama Game” will be performed on April 29, April 30, and May 1 at 7pm. Call 630-375-5900 ext. 8220 to reserve tickets. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens.