OCONOMOWOC, WI – February 15, 2017. Nature Hill Intermediate School is currently more alive than usual and that is due to the many rehearsals and behind the scenes work currently taking place as students, parents, and staff get ready for this year’s musical production, The Sound of Music G2K. Between 57 cast members, 25 tech crew members, 10 adult production staff, and countless parent and community volunteers are working around the clock to bring this timeless Broadway and Academy Award winning movie to the school’s stage.
Doing a show that is loved by so many and widely known is a challenge for students, but the G2K format gives it a new twist. G2K stands for “Getting to Know” Rodgers and Hammerstein. Like the Broadway Jr. Series, which is known for its Disney Theatricals, the G2K program takes well-known Broadway titles and condenses the storyline and rewrites the music so that it is performance friendly for middle level actors and audiences. The Sound of Music G2K includes all of the classic songs that audiences will be ready to sing along with, but they are not found in the usual order in the show.
“Having the songs out of order seemed a bit strange at first, but now that we’ve been working on it and know how we want to portray the characters and this story, we’re excited that this version allows us to give a little twist on the classic,” states Amy Jappinen, director. “This allows us to make the show our own, adding in our own special touches that we how will thrill our audiences.”
An extra special touch added to this year’s performance is having the actresses that form the nun ensemble showcased in a pre-show performance with music that you would expect to hear from this type of show. This group adds sparkle that will have the audience ready to sing and dance. In fact, with a medley from Sister Act, the audience will be asked to participate. The show’s vocal director and NHI’s choral teacher, Tracy Garon, selected the music for this pre-show and the girls involved in the ensemble couldn’t be more excited to perform for their upcoming audiences.
Garon states, “A personal interest and specialty of mine is working with women’s vocal ensembles, making this opportunity an exciting experience for myself and the singers. Working with a young women’s choir allows for new friendships and camaraderie as they build one another up in singing, and further embody the spirit of the music to share with others.”
Students in all grade levels at NHI are able to audition and be selected to perform as members of the cast and crew for the all-school musicals. This is one of a few opportunities at the middle school level where all four grade levels are able to work and perform together. “This makes our program very unique and special,” shares Amy Jappinen. “It is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn to work with others that aren’t the same age or have the same abilities. We started rehearsals in January and have worked together for about two months to create this piece of art. When we first get started, we have a blank canvas/stage and when we finish, we have a musical production that we are all very proud of. During this time new friendships have developed and lasting memories made. For many of our students these are the best memories of middle school.”
Ticket Information:
Tickets are currently on sale through the district and school’s websites. However, due to this year’s show being performed on site, there are a limited 250 tickets per show. Beginning in the 2017-18 school year, both intermediate schools will be performing at the Oconomowoc Arts Center. Nature Hill’s theater department is so excited that our community and school board is so dedicated to the arts and has found a way to give even more students the opportunity to perform at our beautiful Arts Center. Thank you to everyone for supporting theater for middle level students!
Link to purchase tickets: https://www.greateventseats.com/events.php?lID=106
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Quick Facts at a Glance:
Sound of Music G2K
March 2-5, 2017
Evening Shows on March 2 -4, 2017, at 7 p.m.
Matinees on March 4-5, 2017, at 1 p.m.
General Admission Tickets $10
Questions?
Amy Jappinen
Show Director
Jennifer Hogan as Maria and Callahan Cowles as Captain Von Trapp acting out their proposal scene.
Brooke Dunford as Liesl and Gage Mesick dancing to “You are 16 Going on 17”.
The Lonely Goatherd by the von Trapp Children – Brooke Dunford/Liesl, Ana Thiel/Gretl, Kade Ducklow/Kurt, Kiera Hemmerling/Marta, Cormac Wiese/Fredrich, Emma Holland/Brigitta, and Stephanie Hogan as Louisa