Tonight is more than the opening show for the annual Eldon Drama Club's fall production. It is a night of firsts and lasts.
When the curtain opens on "Seussical Jr." at 7 p.m. tonight, it is the first time the high school drama club has presented a musical in decades. It is the first time any of the students and teachers involved in the production have used the newly built Eldon Performing Arts Center auditorium at the high school for a dramatic production.
It is also a final goodbye to longtime school janitor Lyman Burris, who was a cheerleader and supporter of many of the school's fine arts programs, and to whom "Seussical Jr." is dedicated. It is the last time a group of about eight seniors, most of who have been involved in the Eldon High School Drama Club since their freshman year, will perform and produce a fall production at their alma mater.
It is also one of the last times those same seniors are able to make their mark at their school with an award-winning drama program and for younger pupils to carry on their legacy.
"It is not just the seniors we have been around while in drama club. We are ending it with a bunch of new kids that I wouldn't want to spend this last year making a play with and in any other play in any other building under any other direction," said Eldon senior Codi Wilson, who is lead sound and light technician, and making a cameo as The Lorax in "Seussical Jr." "This is how it needs to end for us and the positive note for us to stop on."
The making of a musical
Eldon High School drama instructor Emily Jones started teaching four years ago and has known most of the seniors involved in "Seussical Jr." since they were freshmen.
Becoming the Eldon Drama Club advisor three years ago, Jones and her co-director and choir teacher Rachel Wyss realized that with the newly opened Eldon Performing Arts Center it could be the right time to try a musical.
"We had it narrowed down between (Seussical Jr.) and 'The Little Mermaid.' The majority of our seniors are all girls and all friends, and we didn't want just one to be the star since they are all so fantastic," Jones said. "We had never done a musical before, and this one is a little less well known."
Audiences are transported from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus as Cat in the Hat, played by senior Holly Wieneman, narrates the story of Horton the Elephant, played by senior Alyce Wilson. Horton discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos, connecting with JoJo, played by senior Esther George.
According to the summary, Horton must protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, and he must also guard an abandoned egg that's been left in his care by the irresponsible and sultry Mayzie La Bird, played by senior Ciara Stewart. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger and a trial, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community emerge triumphant.
"It takes some of Dr. Seuss' most popular stories and combines them into one It is cute, fun, whimsical and silly," Jones said.
Returning to a new stage
Another reason why Jones and Wyss were encouraged to present a musical this year was because of the drama club's new home: the newly constructed Eldon Performing Arts Center.
The district finished the estimated $3.3 million project, which was approved in April 2014 after a $5.6 million bond issue was passed. New classrooms were added on the front of the building and the existing auditorium was renovated to seat more than 600 people and includes a green room, full sound and lighting technician's board and space, and a large professional stage.
"Before we just didn't have the facilities to make it easier for us. We didn't have wing space and places to store things, the power and light boards were on its last legs, and the curtains were falling apart," Wyss said. "Having this nice new space has been a real blessing."
With the renovations and new additions to the high school's performing arts center last year, there were no drama club productions held. However, the drama club continued to compete in a variety of tournaments and held a showcase allowing the students who reached finalist status to deliver their various speeches, monologues, improvisational acting skits and other performances to their parents and the community.
This year, the students continued their competitive prowess, with several winning first place in the recent School of the Osage Forensics Invitational Oct. 29. Jones said George and Alyce Wilson took first in improvisational acting and Codi Wilson placed first in extemporaneous speaking.
Even though the drama club seniors continue to compete like they have since freshmen, they are even more excited to bring their talents back to the stage.
"Now, we have our chance to make our name again because people haven't seen us for a year. People get to finally see us and it is in a musical," Alyce Wilson said.
"Oh the places you'll go!"
All of the nearly 40 high school students involved in "Seussical Jr." can't wait to perform the musical Thursday and Friday evenings at the new facility. The diversity in the familiar characters, the audience interaction scenes, the harmonious marriage of song and script, and the elaborate make-up costumes, sets, sound and even colored lights, has inspired them. They know audiences are going to be dazzled by seeing their weeks of hard work delivered in the new facility.
For the seniors, performing their last fall production is bittersweet. Most of them have acted, performed technician work or backstage duties together in a variety of plays, such as "The Lottie and Bernice Show," "John Lennon and Me" and "Super Freaks" since freshman year. Others have moved to the area midway through their high school career, but fell right into the drama club family as if they had been there the whole time.
Yet, for many of these aspiring actors, scientists and teachers, theatrical performance will remain a constant in their adult lives, their legacy will be carried on with the involvement of enthusiastic underclassmen, and their final year as a drama family will be icing on the cake.
"These kids are going to be left behind and I'm not scared. They are going to do a great job The fact that we didn't have (the new center) before, but we did get to experience it before we graduate, that is an amazing privilege," Alyce Wilson said. "We are the drama club. We have been for a really long time. It is scary that we are all leaving each other. We are going our separate ways, but this is our last year, and it will be the best year we will ever have."
"Seussical Jr." starts at 7 p.m. tonight and Friday at the Eldon Performing Arts Center on the high school campus. Tickets are $1 for students with an ID card, $2 for other students and children and $3 for adults. Tickets will be available at the door.