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Show AMERICAN FORK CITIZEN Thursday, March 20, 2008 NEWS AND IDEAS FROM CLASSROOMS AND EDUCATORS Page 4 'i notesj Stephen Hill and Brooke Nielsen with (standing) Rebecca Woahn, Kelton Davis and Emilie Elmont, in the cast of "Les Miserables" at American Fork High School. AFMS drama to present les Miserables' Shenlyn Frost NORTH COUNTY STAFF Opening night for the American Fork High School's production of "Les Miserables" will be Wednesday at 7 p.m. The school's drama director, Neal Johnson, said, "Broadway's "Broad-way's legendary musical has been specially adapted to meet the needs of young performers. The energetic young cast of over 55 comes from all areas of the student body: football players, play-ers, basketball players, soccer players, choir, orchestra, band, drama, foreign language, journalism, jour-nalism, drama. Auditions drew seasoned performers as well as first timers." Auditions were held months ago while Johnson and his department de-partment were in the midst of "Taming of the Shrew." This is Johnson's first undertaking of Forbes Elementary students Barbara Christiansen NORTH COUNTY STAFF Forbes Elementary School is continuing its tradition of presenting pre-senting musicals each spring, with "Cinderella's Glass Slipper" Slip-per" March 25-28. It will be at 7 each evening at the school. Tickets are $5 for adults, $2 for children and $10 for families. fami-lies. The proceeds will be put toward next year's musical and will be used to pay for the royalties roy-alties and purchase equipment. Director David Maughan said the school staff had been trying to decide which play to produce this year and finally decided on "Cinderella." "It has turned out good," he said. "We are excited about it. We have a great cast and they are wonderful kids." He pointed out the benefits the students receive from doing do-ing dramas and musicals. "It is a program to help kids after school and develop skills," he said. "A lot of our students have gone on in junior high and high school. It has been fun to go and watch them up there." Forbes has been doing musicals musi-cals since 1997. Doing musicals instead of plays has been by design, Maughan said. "We want to include as many students as are interested," inter-ested," he said. "With a musical you can broaden your base a little. That is what we were interested in." Some of the lead roles have been double cast in order to provide opportunities for more students, he said. Maughan said the story was similar to Disney's "Cinderella," "Cinder-ella," but had a few changes. "There is a little twist that makes it fun," he said. "The songs are wonderful and darling. dar-ling. It is still a good, high-quality production." He said the performance is expected to run about one hour. Executive director Evelyn Fowles said the show would appeal to the public, "This delightful large cast f i V . z L I the timeless classic at American Ameri-can Fork High School and with a cast of nearly 60 members, and a live orchestra, everyone involved is anxious for opening open-ing night. As possibly one of the most popular and familiar Broadway musicals around, the show is sure to sell-out each night. Playing the role of Jean Valjean is Kelton Davis, Marc Nielson will be playing the antagonist, Javert, while the leader of the revolution, En-jolras En-jolras will be handled by Chris Weaver. Brooke Nielsen and Stephen Hill play the young lovers Cosette and Marius while Emilie Elmont enacts the role of Fantine and Rebecca Woahn portrays Eponine. The comedic characters of the Thenardiers will be played by Brandon Pack and Alina Rea. Originally adapted from Vic TWF,l -j," 11 BARBARA CHRISTIANSENNorth County Morgan Lunt, Elyse Johnson, Natasha Bowen and Derrick Cain, who will portray Cinderella and Prince Charming in the double cast "Cinderella's Glass Slipper" at Forbes Elementary School March 25 through 28. musical will charm audiences of all ages," she said. "The story is age old, but you'll meet playful new characters in this fresh adaptation a brave mouse, a hesitant cat and the amazing Pumkinhead, who changes into a coach." "This well-known classic is filled with songs by Bill Fran-coeur Fran-coeur that create their own magic," she added. Taking the role of Cinderella Cinder-ella will be Natasha Bowen and Elyse Johnson; Prince Charming will be portrayed by Derrick Cain and Morgan Lunt. Michaela Kammcrman, Kenedy Wright, Kayla Taylor and Baylee VanCamp will be the stepsisters and Magan Gale and Kelly Bryan will be the stepmother. Daylene Paskett and Breanne Packer will be the fairy godmother. Morgan has been in "The Jungle Book" at Forbes last year. He said he enjoyed acting and performing. "It is exciting to do," he said. "It is surprising how fast the time goes." I le referred to the tor Hugo's timeless novel, "Les Miserables School Edition" introduces a new generation to the grand and inspirational story sto-ry that has touched the hearts of millions. Johnson added, "A common theme, within 'Les Miserables' lies the universal truth To love another person is to see the face of God' and this message is sure to have a lasting impact on the cast, crew and audience alike." The story line and one of the most important themes deemed by Broadway critics that the musical examines is that of transformation, in the individual and in society. Jean Valjean, the chief protagonist, is transformed from a misanthropic misan-thropic and potentially violent ex-convict to a man capable of heroic love and self-sacrifice. . The force that transforms him perform in Cinderella musical 4" r rehearsal time before the opening open-ing night. Natasha was also in "The Jungle Jun-gle Book" and in "Aladdin, Jr." "I think it is a lot of fun," she said. "I like to get up on stage and act. The best part is you are acting with your friends. It is also fun to sing." Derrick said he thinks he is inclined toward acting. "I am a dramatic child at home," he said. "This is something some-thing I can do easily. I have fun singing and acting." He said he might like to continue con-tinue acting when he grows up. "Maybe I would like to act in college or later get a job on Broadway," he said. Elyse had other parts she considered her favorites. "I really like to dress up and wear the costumes," she said. "I think it is really fun. I like to act. My friends say I am dramatic. I just really enjoy the feeling of being on stage." She had great hopes for the production. "It is really magical and done cleverly," she said. Neal Johnson is love. The Bishop of Digne offers Valjean unconditional love, trusting the former criminal with his life and giving him all that he can. Valjean finds inspiration inspi-ration for an entirely new life from this example. He learns to put another person first when he raises Cosette as his own daughter, and he endures moral trials, such as risking his life to rescue Marius, who loves Cosette. Choral instruction has been under the direction of Tracy Warby while John Miller is conducting the live orchestra. Tickets are available at the door at $7 for adults, $6 for students with an activity card or $35 for a family pass (two adults and four children, immediate im-mediate family members only). Attendees are encouraged to arrive early. If you go "Cinderella's Glass Slipper" Where: Forbes Elementary School; 281 N. 200 East, American Fork When: March 25-28, 7 p.m. Cost: Adults $5, Children $2, Family $10 No children under 5 allowed Morgan agreed. "I think it is a really good play for everyone," he said. "It teaches teach-es a lesson never give up, even if you think you have to." Natasha said she was looking look-ing forward to it. "I like the songs," she said. Derrick characterized the play. "It is a mystery and a romance ro-mance all in one," he said. It has a lot of drama." Asked whether students their age are interested in romance, ro-mance, the four responded virtually vir-tually simultaneously "No." - JH i American Fork High School Testing payment All AP tests must be paid by Friday at 3 p.m. No AP tests will be ordered after this date. The cost for each test is $84 and needs to be paid at the student stu-dent finance office. AP testing test-ing will begin May 5. Quarter to end Friday is the end of the third quarter. Students are reminded that all work for the quarter must be turned in by Friday unless other arrangements have been made with individual teachers. MORP dance The girl's choice MORP dance will be Friday from 8:30-11 p.m. in the school's gym. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the student finance window for $10 or at the door for $25. Book drive The American Ameri-can Fork Youth City Council is collecting children's books to donate to Greenwood Elementary. El-ementary. These K-12 books should be new or gently used and can be donated to the front office at American Fork High School or the American Fork Library through tomorrow. tomor-row. Late ACT registration Late registration for the April 12 ACT test ends Friday. Juniors Ju-niors are encouraged to take the April ACT test. Tardy and attendance schools Tardy school and attendance school for third quarter make-up will be Monday, Mon-day, Tuesday and Wednesday Wednes-day mornings. Blood drive The HOSA club is sponsoring their second sec-ond blood drive of the year on Monday, from 1-7 p.m. The community, faculty and staff are invited and encouraged to participate. Appointments may be made by calling the HOSA advisor, Brenda Casper, at 756-8547 ext. 118 or with a HOSA club member. Walk -ins are also welcome and appreciated. Class schedules due All juniors are reminded that the deadline to build their class schedule for next year is Wednesday at midnight. Student Council elections Student council elections will begin next week. Online voting vot-ing for the primary elections will begin Wednesday. More information will be given during dur-ing morning announcements. Play to begin The drama department will present "Les Miserables" March 26-29,31 and April 1-2 at 7 p.m. in the school's auditorium. Tickets are available at the door for $7 adults, $6 students with an activity card or $35 for a family pass. Ballroom team places The ballroom team recently participated in the National Ballroom Championships at BYU where the team placed first in Latin Medley and third in team match. Locks of Love The Paul Mitchell hair school will offer of-fer free haircuts to anyone willing to donate their hair to "Locks of Love" April 9 during dur-ing lunch. For more information, informa-tion, call Vanessa at 644-5624. Senior party tickets Senior Se-nior party tickets to Boondocks Boon-docks are on sale at the student finance office for $35. The party will be May 29 from 9:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. All students that plan to attend must ride the bus. Homework center A homework center is available every Monday from 1:15-3:30 p.m. and Tuesday through Content does matter 48 of all adults in Utah County are OUR readers. Where else would you advertise? www.heraldextra.com Thursday from 2:154:30 p.m. in the Career Center, room 3. Computers are available for student use. Students in need of tutoring or help with homework are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. op-portunity. American Fork Junior High School Band and choir to be in festivals The intermediate intermedi-ate band will participate in a festival on Wednesday. The Spring choir festival will also be on Wednesday. Freshman celebration The third quarter freshman celebration cel-ebration will be March 28. Qualifying students will participate par-ticipate in a game of bingo. Ninth-grade picture The ninth-grade panoramic picture pic-ture will be April 4. Picture packets will be available for any ninth grade student who would like to purchase a copy of the picture. Forbes Elementary School Play begins run The school play, "Cinderella's Glass Slipper" will open Tuesday Tues-day and run through March 28 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available avail-able at the door for $4 for adults or $10 for families. No children under 5 will be admitted. Report cards Report cards will be sent home with students Friday, Mar. 28. BEAR reading BEAR reading ends March 28. Students Stu-dents are reminded to turn in their March reading forms. The BEAR reading parties will be in April. More information infor-mation will be sent home with students. Driving tips Parents are reminded to be courteous when dropping off or picking up students. Principal Larry Dean suggested that following follow-ing a few simple rules will help to keep all children safe and drivers' tempers down: I Do not double park in the drop off zone on the north side of the school or in the street on 200 East Do not pick up students in the bus zone Do not park in or block the bus zone Yearbook deadline nears The PTA is offering a 2008 Forbes Patriot yearbook this year. The yearbook will be paperback and in color. Order Or-der forms were sent home with students. The cost is $17 for non-PTA members and $15 for PTA members. Orders will accepted through April 5. Track requests Track requests will begin March 31 through April 4 from 8-11:30 a.m. and then again from 1:30- 3:30 p.m. Only track requests will be considered, teacher requests will not be considered. For more information, infor-mation, call the office at 756-8531. 756-8531. Greenwood Elementary School Pictures Spring pictures will be taken today by Cory Adams Photography. The pictures pic-tures are optional and picture packets may be purchased at the time that pictures are taken. Field trip The first-grade classes will go on a field trip March 28. |