SECRET GARDEN
TO OPEN FEBRUARY 17!

Director Steve Arnold gives staging directions to Colin, played by Matt Meyer

The cast of ACT I’s first production of the new millennium, “The Secret Garden,” has been rehearsing feverishly these past weeks, and will continue this excited pace right up until opening night at the Palace Theatre on Thursday, February 17. This is the twelfth show Director Steve Arnold has staged for ACT I during the past eight years.  Steve is excited to be teaming up with Musical Director Greg Douma, Washington High School Vocal Music Instructor, and renewing old friendships with Choreographer Joan Cooling, Assistant Director/Stage Manager Ray Bookmeier, and Technical Director Jay Appleby. 

This musical adaptation based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Bennett includes the musical and dramatic talent of many veteran ACT I members, including Erin Horst as Mary Lennox, Gerald Horst as Archibald Craven, Matt Meyer as Colin Craven, Larry Adams-Bowers as Ben Weatherstaff, Rhonda Westergard as Rose Lennox, Pat Lyons as Captain Albert Lennox, Sara Arnold as Claire Holmes, Alex Vasquez as Lt. Peter Wright, Aaron Murphy as Lt. Shaw, Mark West as Major Holmes, Kate Westergard as the Ayah, Jake Fowler as the Fakir, Kendra McChristian as Mrs. Winthrop, Shirale Hanson as Mrs. Shelley, John Westergard as William, and Bree McClenning as Betsey.

Newcomers to our ACT I stage include Dr. David Katz, Assistant Professor of Voice at Wartburg College, as Dr. Neville Craven, Kari Nordli, Independence High School Music Instructor, as Martha, Vinton students Jeff Cumberlin and Kayla Comer, as Dickon and Jane, respectively, and Benton County residents Lori Kerwin and Angie Olson. Lori plays Mrs. Medlock, Angie has the role of Alice.

Featured as Lily, a ghost who shadows the living characters of her husband, son, and niece, guiding them back to emotional well-being in the garden she left behind ten years ago, is Kathleen Berger, ACT I’s Artist in Residence. While Kathleen’s beautiful operatic voice is perhaps new to many of our ACT I audience, those who listened with delight to any one of her three local concerts in January will tell you Ms. Berger’s professional musical expression is an artistic treat not to be missed!

The ACT I production of "The Secret Garden" also showcases many local Benton County youth in the children’s chorus, including Sarah Allyn, Jacob Christy, Andy Hanson, Patrick Horst, Abby Larkin, Rachel Larkin, Kordereau Sellers, Sara Stephenson, Zach Svoboda, and Laura VanSteenhuyse. Supervising the children’s chorus is Shirale Hanson.

ACT I's production of "The Secret Garden" is sponsored by Frazier Nursery.

Show Dates and Times: 
February 17 at 7:30 PM 
February 18 at 7:30 PM 
February 19 at 7:30 PM 
February 20 at 2:00 PM 
February 24 at 7:30 PM 
February 25 at 7:30 PM 
February 26 at 7:30 PM 
February 27 at 2:00 PM 

Call 472-9957 for ticket reservations.

CAST OF "HANSEL AND GRETEL" FINALIZED

  The ACT I STAGE! production, “Hansel and Gretel,” a children’s version of the opera by Engelbert Humperdinck, will be presented on March 18, 19, 25, and 26 2000, at The Palace Theatre. Under the dramatic and musical direction of Kathleen Berger, accompanied by Assistant Director Aaron Murphy and Pianist April Noeller, the talented cast includes:

Ryan Calderwood......................................Hansel 
Megan Christy............................................Gretel 
Ray Bookmeier...........................................Father 
Cathi Calderwood.......................................Mother 
Darran Sellers/Sarah Zimmerman................Witch 
Kayla Comer........................ Sandman, Dew Fairy

 
Children’s Chorus Members: Robert Hanson, Becca Fisher, Chris Sojka, Annie Horst, Nathan Horst, Dustin Kearns, Chelsea Hessenius, Stephanie Svoboda, Marissa Eldred, Stephanie Ohrt, Lexy Cornell, Kensley Pottenbaum, Jason Long, Clare Horst, Megan Owens 

Corps de Ballet Members: Principal Dancers – Becky Stravers, Lori Strong, Erin Horst, Deanna Ferguson, Emily Hora, Clare Horst, Abigail Jakos, Elizabeth Huyck Wings and Halos – Amanda Hora, Becky Karr, Dana Kerwin, Danisha Pladsen, Tess Noeller, Brinkley, Gerber, Megan Horst, Savannah McChristian, Kali Timmerman, Clare Cooling, Emma Horst, Julie Nicole Cox

SECRET GARDEN SUPER BOWL PARTY-AN OXYMORON?

 On Super Bowl Sunday, January 30, members of The Secret Garden Cast met at the home of cast members Erin, Patrick, and Gerald Horst to enjoy a relaxing evening off stage. Although Director Steve Arnold was heard sheepishly admitting he’d never watched a Super Bowl game before, and cast member Kari Nordli brought along a novel to pass the time, the majority of the cast, crew, and family members appreciated the great game as well as the terrific food and company! Way to go Rams!  

February Trivia Quiz

(Politics) 

With the caucuses fresh in our memories, we take a look at previous ACT I shows which contained political elements.

1. What was the political affiliation of Clarence Day, Sr. in “Life with Father?” 

2. In which past ACT I production did Jim Hilliard portray the national chairmen of both the Republican and Democratic parties, while never changing his tie? 

3. Which ACT I production featured characters who were members of the Nazi Party? 

4. Which ACT I production featured characters who were members of the Ku Klux Klan? 

5. Which ACT I production was based on a literary work written by a social liberal designed to protest one specific law? 

6. Which ACT I comedy took place in an unnamed Eastern Bloc Communist country? 

Answers to the December/January Trivia Quiz 
(Technology) 

1. “Twigs” 

2. “The Miracle Worker” 

3. “The Sound of Music” or “How to Eat Like a Child” or “Blythe Spirit” 

4. “Sleuth” 

5. “The Girls in 509” 

6. “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” 

7. “Steel Magnolias” 

Technology proved to be too tough for our readership! No one offered any guesses. 

Please submit February entries to 

Marcy Horst, 1307 C Ave, Vinton 52349 or g.horst@www.mebbs.com 

Member of the Month 

Aaron Murphy

Steve Arnold, Kathleen Berger, Aaron, and Charlie Vogl at the Lion and the Lamb B&B

Seasoned ACT I theatre goers know Mr. Aaron Murphy well. He first appeared on our stage in “Bye Bye Birdie” as Hugo Peabody, and has since been cast as Tumnus the faun in “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” his favorite ACT I role.

 
“Tumnus was such a funny character; he suited me to a T!” 

Aaron has also made his mark performing numerous roles for the Murder Mystery Series which is performed at The Lion and the Lamb Bed and Breakfast in Vinton. Recently he played psycho hair dresser Vidal Bassoon in “Murder at the Opera” during the welcoming Murder Mystery dinner party for Kathleen Berger. As well as performing in and managing the Mystery Series, Aaron works partime at The Lion and the Lamb where he does everything from giving historical tours to serving dinners.

In his very busy young adult life Aaron is supported by his mom, Paula and dad, Rick Murphy, his older, mentoring sister, Brooke, and younger brother, Ben. Aaron is active in show choir, chamber choir, mixed choir, band, and Jazz 1 at Washington High School in Vinton. As a sophomore, he has All-State plans again this summer. 
In the midst of all this extra-curricular activity Aaron has recently taken on the job of Assistant Director, working with Artist in Residence Kathleen Berger, in “Hansel and Gretel.”

“I’m very excited to be working with Kathleen and finding out what it’s really like behind the scenes, as I have only been up on the stage until now. I’m very anxious for rehearsals to begin!”

 
Working with Kathleen during tryouts and pre-rehearsal organizational meetings has been an honor and inspiration for Aaron. As Aaron plans to attend college upon his high school graduation, and continue his focus on musical theatre, it’s been a thrill for him to meet and work so closely with Kathleen, who’s already fulfilled so
many of Aaron’s dreams.

 
“Wow, Kathleen is amazing! She’s taught me so much, and not even by teaching me, but by me watching and studying her habits and way of doing things. She has such an amazing voice and career. I would love to have what she has right now. But I know that it will take a lot of hard work and determination to get to there from here….I’m so anxious I can’t stand it!”

 
Aaron is indeed a very determined young man, talented and conscientious. He works and relates well with both youngsters in the STAGE! program and adults in the regular ACT I productions. He looks up to director, actor, writer, and ACT I president Steve Arnold as a major role model.

 
“…he’s accomplished so much for ACT I.” 

Grease Paint salutes Mr. Murphy for his hard work, consistent participation, and exceptional talent. We encourage his dreams, share in his hopes, and won’t be surprised to see Aaron’s name in Broadway lights someday! 

Message from the Editor

With three family members cast in “The Secret Garden,” and four girls dancing in “Hansel and Gretel,” the Horsts are well-immersed in rehearsals, rehearsals, rehearsals these first months of the year. Every new show offers opportunities to gain new friends, develop new skills, and stretch our theatrical wings (literally for those ballet dancing angels in “Hansel and Gretel!”)

If you’ve never participated in an ACT I production, or have taken a few years of I urge to watch upcoming tryout notices. Being in a show, both on stage and off, is a huge commitment, but one worth every memorizing, ad-libbing hour!

Get your seat assignments now for “The Secret Garden.” It’s sure to be an inspiration!

Marcy g.horst@www.mebbs.com  472-5518

That's Grease Paint for February, 2000!

To look back at previous online issues, visit our Grease Paint Archives page by clicking here!

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