Friday, April 23, 2010
By SHAIYLA HAKEEM
Springtime at Boardman High School, is the time for April showers, blooming flowers and flying students.
The BHS Drama Club performed its rendition of the classic tale “Peter Pan” last weekend. Opening night was April 16 and performances continued daily through April 18.
More than 90 students donated their time to participate in the production as a part of the cast, crew and orchestra. The club had been practicing for opening night since early February and continued to practice through spring break.
The play contained four different backdrops, scene changes and only two short intermissions. It featured classic Peter Pan tunes such as “I Gotta Crow” and “I Won’t Grow Up.”
Freshman Josh Abraham played Michael Darling, one of the students given the opportunity to be lifted into the air and maneuvered across stage with Peter Pan and the other Darling children. This was his first time being placed in a harness and lifted above the ground, but Abraham says it was an experience to remember.
“It was fun. The tug hurt a little, but then it was smooth,” he said. “I found it to be really cool that there was nothing underneath me, but I was still suspended.”
Students auditioned for the play by performing a cold read and singing a musical selection. David Mullane, BHS drama club director, said they were going to perform “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” but too many other groups were doing it.
“We wanted to do something original and something that would be a real crowd pleaser,” he said. “We wanted to do something that would bring in a young audience.”
The Performing Arts Center was nearly packed to capacity on opening night filled with children, student and proud parents.
Joan Dubiel, of Boardman, said she usually comes to the plays performed by the drama club. Her daughter, Leslie Dubiel, is a part of the orchestra that provides background sounds and music for the plays. She was impressed with the student’s performance.
“I loved it!” Dubiel said. “I really liked the Indian dance with the drumsticks — it was really good.”
The club is slated for a summer performance of “Footloose.” Opening night will be June 24 and the musical will be performed each night through June 27.