Times-Advocate, 1987-05-13, Page 2Times -Advocate, Mo 13, 1987
SHOWSTOPPER — Anmarie Hoffman's solo "What
was a highlight of the musical "A Chorus Line".
I Did For Love"
'A Chores Line' is smash hit!
"A Chorus Line' -was_a smash hit.
The musical, the serendipitous result
of a partnership between SHDHS and
the surrounding community, played
to enthusiastic audiences for three
sold -out performances. The cast of
students, teachers and other talented
people in this area acted, sang and
danced expertly and professionally
without an intermission through the
two-hour performance.
Many in the first -night audience
were not aware that the fainting
episode was not part of the script. Co-
director Debi Homuth, on stage at the
time in her part as Lorraine, super-
vised the young actor's departure and
then, in a hurried conference behind'
the scenes, divided his tines among
some of the other male performers.
The ad lib, substitution was ac-
complished with the aplomb of
seasoned veterans.
- Unlike most musicals where a
tenuous plot serves merely as con-
tinuity
on-
tinuity between the spectacular song
and dance numbers, "A Chorus Line"
focuses attenton on the personalities
of a number of people auditioning for
a job in the chorus- of a Broadway
production. -
The dispassionate, probing voice of
the show's choreographer Zak, played
flawlessly by SHDHS teacher Dennis
Nielsen, jabs down from -the upper
balcony, coolly spotlighting one
hopeful after another with the
businesslike efficiency of a collector
pinning butterflies to a board. The
future of each dancer waiting
desperately or confidently below
hinges on his decision:
Melanie Lovell turned in a stellar
performance as Sheila, the worldy-
wise perennial showgirl.
Anmarie Hoffman's superb rendi-
tion of "What I Did For Love" was the
highlight of the show.
Gail Little as'Vassie,.who had walk-
ed out on an affair with Zak to try her
wings in Hollywood, makes an impas-
sioned plea for a job in the chorus, and
makes us care about whether or not
she gets it.
Student Kerrin Mehagan was ex-
cellent as the cynical Val, bowing to
the=inevitable and resorting to silicone
supplement when she discovers that
although her talent rates a 10, her
lack of bodily endowment top and bot-
tom earned her only a three in
previous auditions. '
Rob Hoffman carries off the role of
budding socio-psycopath Bobby
perfectly, and skilfully partners his
mother Anmarie in one of the dance
numbers.
John Farwell is eminently
believeable as Paul, still battling with
his homosexuality.
Music - that vital ingredient of
every_ musical - was provided by
pianist Carol Carter, assistant Jan
Mowat, bass guitarist Jim Marshall,
lead guitars Peter Snell and Jeff Mit-
tleholtz and Chris Miller on drums
under the capable direction of Ric
Graham, who also played trumpet.
The little band was the source of a big
stereophonic sound.
All sang and danced as if They had
been training and performing all their
lives. 1t was as difficult to pick out
those with previous training as it was
to distinguish between the students
and the adults.
All involved in "A Chorus Line"
deserve a standing ovation. There .
-vas nothing •' small .town" about-this---
presentation.
botk this ---
presentation.
There are also enough disappointed
people who left ticket -purchasing too
late to fill the SHDHS gym for another
three performances of "A Chorus
Line".
HIGH KICKING — Debi Homuth. co-director of the hit musical presented last week at SHDHS,
leads the Chorus Line cast in a highkicking routine.
MUSICIANS-- Providing the music for "A Chorus Line" were assistant pianist Jan Mowat, pianist Carol
Carter, bass guitarist Jim Marshall, drummer Chris Miller, lead guitarists Jeff Mittleholtz and Peter Snell
and director Ric Graham on trumpet.
DRAMATIC MOMENT — Melanie Lovell and Scott Fields are at cen-
tre stage in a scene from "A Chorus Line". They are watched by Ker-
rin Mehagan (left), John Farwell, and Michelle and Marcie Ellison.
BEHIND THE SCENES – Loris Pepper from Concept 11 makes up John
Farwell for his role in "A Chorus Line". Concept 11 did all the make-
• ' up for the show.
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DUET -- Dwayne Butler (left) and Trevor Cottrell perform their dance
number in "A Chorus Line", with Liam Brennan (left), Bobbi -Jo
Richards, Kim Crawford, Ron Steeper and Gail Little looking on.
Photos by Ric Graham
DOUBLE TROUBLE — Twin sisters Marcie and Michelle Ellison played
the high-spirited French Canadian, starlets Diana and Darcie in the
three -night performance of "A Chorus Line" at SHDHS.
Anieti
;Ir
.,4•1
46
*77
It Stays
Here.
We've -got
400 helpers!
The largest number of canvassers wove ever
had... volunteers who are helping us help those
citizens who aren't as fortunate as we are.
Now we need your help when they come to your
door with their packet of seeds. The bright
marigolds will give you enjoyment all summer
but more than that they'll remind you of the part
you played in enriching the lives of our fellow
citizens.
•
We, as trustees of your contributions, carefully
use these funds for programs not covered by
government grants, special equipment for train-
ing and community awareness and prevention
activities.
Your response tb this army of helpers has, to the
best of our knowledge, been the best of any area
in Canada. That's great encouragement to those
of us who serve on the board and some fifteen
committees.
Flowers of Hope Goal $20,500
All proceeds from the Flowers of Hope campaign
are used to support the local work.
South Huron
and District Association
for the Mentally Handicapped
OFFICIALS - Victor Knip, President, CTEE Anne and Gerry
Boersma, John Gray, Executive Director.