The Lorax

To gush a bit:

The Lorax was amazing!! The costumes and make-up contributed so much to the show from when I had last scene a rehearsal – brilliant, adding whimsy, color, and character to the show. The Old Oncler was PERFECT and the orange Young Oncler was bold and worked. While I was watching I kept giggling about how great it was to see JM students pulling off that level of abstract theater so well! It’s one thing to do HSM, another entirely to dance, cavort, and create at this level. It was pretty much bodies in space creating the story, with just the tiniest bit of set. The popping of balloons thrilled me, a perfect sound to convey the horror of loss. I was floored at the handing of the cane moment, as it conveyed to me a real reluctance to hand it off, starting the destructive chain of events again but needed to tell the story. Watching the “child” read and experience the text paid tribute to the author. Constructing the industrial complex from the remains of the trees through the simple act of facing out a gray side of the blocks. To tell what could be a complex story by shaving away everything extra and focusing on the key images was much more powerful. I was hooked throughout (and even before with soundtrack clips from HSM2 and Moulin Rouge). Well done cast of the Lorax!!

Oklahoma Cast

Oklahoma!
Thank you all for auditioning. Triple threats – singing, dancing, and acting – led the casting decisions. Scripts available upon receipt of $60.00 or discussion w. Mr. Decker. First rehearsal is next WEDNESDAY, second is FRIDAY. “Meet the Director” is FRIDAY. Check edecker.blogspot.com for additional changes.

Assistant Director Chrissy Jordan

Curly Ben Hanson
Will Parker Michael Manansala
Jud Fry Andy Phillips* Discuss schedule w. Mr. Decker
Ali Hakim Philip Muehe
Ike Skidmore Aaron Savage
Fred Wyatt Sander
Slim Anthony Schliessman
Andrew Carnes Jacob Korinek* Discuss schedule w. Mr. Decker
Cord Elam John Deiltz
Jess Keenan Berg
Chalmers Rik Vanmecheln
Mike Kevin Greentree

Aunt Eller Lizi Shea
Laurey Olivia Allen
Ado Annie Katie Eberhard
Gertie Cummings Danielle Humphrey
Sylvie Emily Gresbrink
Ellen Garlyn Brentner
Kate Laura Weiss
Sylvie Rachel Sobczak
Armina Katrinna Koehler
Aggie Sarah Stevens
Vivian Hannah Frost
Geniveve Sara Krolak
Margaret Elizabeth Pankranz
Mary Cate Mahr
Helen Katelyn Benavidez
Ruth Lacey Patzer
Ballet Cameo Katie Baker
Ballet Cameo Pam Baker
Lead Student Choreo + Ballet Cameo Izzy Merrill

Set Jennifer Norgren Karyn Olsen
Set Tori Kee Kelsey Macken
Set Mikayla Ward Illeana Guerrero
Set Marcela Vargas
Running Crew Alyssa Mueller
Rehearsal AD Meg Kuhlman

Rehearsal Cuts and "Meet the Director"

Rehearsal Cuts

I overscheduled the calendar. The following rehearsals are cut in February: 11, 12, 14, 22, 29.

Next Wednesday, February 13th, is the first rehearsal, a full cast read-through.
Next Friday, February 15th, is the first sing-though with the full cast. The "Meet the Director" potluck will be that night and I dearly hope everyone -- and your families -- can attend. It's a nice calm before the storm when we can get to know who we'll be spending a very intense period of our lives with for several months.

Chrissy will have more details and invites for you on Wednesday. We'll need some families to cover main dishes so please consider that. I would especially like to meet the set and running crew then, too!

RehearsEase [updated]

We purchased RehearsEase this year, so every cast member can download the MIDI files and play through the show! I think you'll love how you can bump up individual parts, replace instruments for some voices, and lots of other features. Here's the web address [now working] (select Download, then Oklahoma. After downloading and installing, you can upgrade by entering this information:

Full name: Brian Mueller
Organization name: John Marshall High School
Title: Oklahoma
Email: choirbri@yahoo.com
Unlock Code:
HLbf-leQI-E8GZ-uRVG-Ne2N-Ujky-Hxzu-b4xj-RKFZ-tUbr-HWAE

Then, here is the cut list for the show:
Cut List for Oklahoma! 2008

Overture - No cuts

1. Opening Act I (Oh, What a Beautiful Morning) – No cuts

2. Laurey’s Entrance – No cuts

3. Surrey With the Fringe on Top – No cuts

4. Kansas City –
Measure 37 once through only, no repeats (use second verse lyrics)
cut 173-240 beats 1-3

5. Surrey Reprise – No cuts

6 and 7. Cain’t Say No and Encore
No DS at end of #6, go straight to #7 Encore measure 5

8. Entrance of Ensemble – No cuts

9. and 10. Many a New Day and Dance
cut 56-89 in #9
cut 1-53 in #10 (straight from end of #9 to #10 meas. 54)

11. It’s a Scandal
cut all music EXCEPT meas. 19-52

12. People Will Say We’re in Love
cut 69-End

13. Change of Scene – No cuts

14. Pore Jud is Daid – No cuts

15. Lonely Room
cut meas. 2-35

16. Change of Scene – No cuts

17.a. Dream Sequence
cut 45-78
cut 87-110 beats 1 and 2

17.b. Interlude to Ballet – No cuts

17.c. Dream Sequence
cut 45-250
cut 307-456

18. Entr’act – No cuts

19. Opening Act 2 - Farmer and the Cowman
add repeat of 228-end for the dance (no lyrics until 252)

20. Farmer Dance – CUT

21. Change of Scene – no cuts

22. All or Nothin’
cut 126 beat 3-203 beat 3

23. Change of Scene – No cuts

24. Reprise People Will Say We’re in Love – No cuts

25. Change of Scene – No cuts

26. Change of Scene – No cuts

27. Oklahoma – No cuts

29. Bows
Start at No 3 (Surrey) meas. 1-52
Jump to No 29 (Finale Ultimo) meas. 17-36 (will need key change)
Jump to No 28 (Encore Oklahoma) meas. 36-End (will need key change)

30. Outmarch – No cuts