| Author |
Message |
    
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 2228
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 14, 2004 - 8:50 pm: |     |
I guess it depends on the luck of the draw with your seat. I had a woman near me engaged in a life-and-death struggle with a paper bag of popcorn for almost the entire first act. THEN she started eating the seeds. |
Nohero
Citizen
Username: Nohero
Post Number: 3035
Registered: 10-1999
| | Posted on Sunday, March 14, 2004 - 10:51 pm: | |
Okay, aside from the audience (and one can hear similar complaints about audiences in any theater from Broadway and beyond) ...
We saw the show on Saturday night, and it really is a great production. Leaving aside the flying (which is justly raved about), there is also the acting, musicianship, choreography, and technical achievements to enjoy. And the fact that these are all young people from our community just adds to the pleasure of the evening.
Seriously, it's a lot of fun. Call the number, get some tickets, and have a good time at the shows. |
deannel
Citizen
Username: Deannel
Post Number: 152
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 15, 2004 - 10:57 am: | |
I have to admit that got all teary when they started flying. The whole show is simply thrilling. My teen (who wasn't involved)dragged me to see it while he watched it for the second time.
It's a brilliant idea to put on a production that is so perfect for the rest of the community. I went to the matinee on Sunday, and although the number of toddlers in the audience was daunting, they were mostly quite respectful and even the 1 year old next to me was enchanted (naborly, i think he was the ooh you heard. He could belt that 'ooh'!)
Kudos all around. That was an inspiring way to spend an afternoon. |
naborly
Citizen
Username: Naborly
Post Number: 309
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 15, 2004 - 8:32 pm: | |
N O W . . . . Now that we all said how wonderful the show was --- and what fine children the community can be proud of --- and that the teachers and staff for the play are so dedicated and talented ---
Let's now remember that cutting the budget to do away with such "fluff" is like cutting off your nose to spite you face !!! |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 2231
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 15, 2004 - 9:52 pm: | |
Bingo, naborly. In what classroom can kids learn what they've learned from participating in (or even watching their classmates participate in) something as great as this?
(I loved that OOH, too. Reminded me why live theater can be so magical). |
Elizabeth
Citizen
Username: Elizabeth
Post Number: 279
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 6:53 am: | |
I thought the cost of the show (lion's share, anyway) was covered by ticket sales, program ads and concession sales. Does anyone know how much, really, comes out of the budget/taxpayer's pocket? |
LibraryLady(ncjanow)
Citizen
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 1283
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 8:25 am: | |
In a perfect world, yes, the lessons of putting on this terrific show are worth all the money it costs. HOWEVER, if I had to chose between the show and, let's say, calculus or world languages, I'd have to go with the academics.
It's hard to make choices, but we are dealing with finite resources.Why the school board can continue to raise taxes at the rate of doubling them in only a few short years and the local municipalities take a lot of s**t if they attempt to raise them by 5%, is a question without easy answers.
Nancy Chiller Janow
On a coffee break..or something like it. |
naborly
Citizen
Username: Naborly
Post Number: 310
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 8:55 am: | |
The play does rely mostly on donations from the CHS Music Parents Association, the Booster Club, the selling of program ads, ticket sales, and various fund-raisers (candy, t-shirts). But certain teachers get a stipend, probably a very small one considering all the extra hours. I assume that is included in the budget. Perhaps also included is some money for purchasing the rights to the play.
Yes, keeping academics is the most important part of deciding on the budget. My concern is that by saving probably a fraction of a percentage of the budget by eliminating funding for something like the All School Musical, we are affecting hundreds of kids who are learning as valuable a lesson as they would in Latin 101. We are affecting other kids who attend the play. We are affecting the soul of the community and its relationship with not only the school but with the community's children.
Yes, the taxes are huge. But no, they are not huge because of the funding of athletics and art and music. They are huge because we have been victimized by a system that is inherently unfair and that has been imposed on us from far away. We are at a crossroads. Do we cave or do we bite the bullet and put up a strong fight against those far-away forces? I say we start to fight, not remain complacent. We want an exceptional AND affordable education for our cildren and our children's children. We just won't get it as soon as we want. |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 2235
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 11:08 am: | |
The show itself may turn a profit, even, at $10-12 a ticket times 900 seats times six performances. There are a lot of expenses, music rental is very expensive, the flying crew also cost a lot.
But of course they just didn't decide to do a show and hand a paintbrush to Joe, and a bassoon to Beth. A lot of training in years past went into preparing the kids for this.
But for my money, the really important thing for these kids is being involved in a really large collaborative project, something bigger than themselves. That is a real-world education that studying calculus, for all its merits, simply cannot provide. It's not just about the music, props and dancing!
|
LibraryLady(ncjanow)
Citizen
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 1285
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 12:47 pm: | |
So the question remains,do we fund academics, extracurricular, both? Do we raise taxes to support everything or some things, (while, at the same time, we fight for a fairer way of funding our schools?)
If we fund everything are we being financially prudent? What about citizens who can't afford increases of 7-9% a year?
Don't have the answers, just trying to figure out the questions!
Nancy Chiller Janow
On a coffee break..or something like it. |
Nohero
Citizen
Username: Nohero
Post Number: 3056
Registered: 10-1999
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 9:39 pm: | |
Okay, leaving aside the budget discussion ...- If you haven't seen the show, you have to go this weekend.
- Since you're going this weekend, you have to call for tickets.
You'll have a good time, really! |
naborly
Citizen
Username: Naborly
Post Number: 312
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, March 20, 2004 - 11:58 am: | |
Huge crowd for Friday night's show. If you want a good seat, come an hour before curtain, buy your ticket or pick up your reseved ticket, then wait for doors to open one half hour before show. The lines for tickets were pretty long last night.
|
pat
Citizen
Username: Pat
Post Number: 13
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, March 20, 2004 - 5:22 pm: | |
We heard that Sunday's show is sold out. Can anyone confirm this? Does anyone know if tonight's show still has tickets? |
Chasm
Citizen
Username: Chasm
Post Number: 167
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, March 20, 2004 - 5:22 pm: | |
I've heard that the CHS show is amazing, and I plan on seeing it on Sunday. If you want to see how school theater productions start out, check out South Orange Middle School's performance of "Anything Goes" next week. The kids (and teachers and parents) have been working very hard for many weeks and I'm sure it's going to be a great show. I was able to help out a little bit today, and I got to see the set they constructed. It is very impressive! You can see where the High School gets it's talent from.
Art & Music are very important aspects of the school experience, and we must fight to keep them - along with the academics. Support the schools - CHS, SOMS, MMS - and more importantly support the kids. 
thirdgearrocks |
naborly
Citizen
Username: Naborly
Post Number: 316
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, March 20, 2004 - 5:46 pm: | |
Friday's performance: Peter Pan blew the fairy dust on the Darling children. Heard from the back of the theatre in a wee voice, "Mommy, is that REAL fairy dust?" Precious. |
berry festival
Citizen
Username: Berry_festival
Post Number: 33
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, March 20, 2004 - 8:27 pm: | |
On Friday, as the Lost Boys were talking about how much they wanted a mother, my 51/2 year old (who was sitting on my lap) turned his body, gave me a huge hug and said, "I love you."
Priceless.
|
optimyst
Citizen
Username: Optimyst
Post Number: 69
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 12:06 am: | |
We went to see the show tonight...
What a wonderful production ... the acting, sets, orchestra, lighting, everything was first-rate !
Because I looked here first, I saw the suggestion of going an hour early to buy tix, so I sent my hubby over. When we came later, we went right in, despite the huge crowd ..
Thanks naborly !
We also can't wait to see Anything Goes at SOMS this week ...
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naborly
Citizen
Username: Naborly
Post Number: 317
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 9:46 am: | |
Your very welcome, Optimyst. So, that was your hubby buying the tickets from me.
YES, Sunday matinee is SOLD OUT.
Try your luck getting tickets on a stand-by basis when they put the unclaimed reserved tickets up for sale. Put your name on a list at the theatre. Last night, all the people on the list got in.
If you have reserved tickets -- PLEASE arrive way before 1:30 to claim your tickets or they will be sold!!! Doors to the seats open at 1:30.
Last night it was mobbed. (But a festive mob.) They had to start the show a little late to get everyone seated. I only counted a few single seats to the far left that were empty. Even the balcony was completely full. Thanks to all the wonderful community support!
And, no. Unfortunately, there will not be an "extended run". |
cody
Citizen
Username: Cody
Post Number: 503
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 10:38 am: | |
My son and I were part of the sold-out house last night and the show was truly fantastic. My only quibble is that I wish the sound system were better - some of Mrs. Darling and Wendy's dialogue and and Lost Boys lines didn't carry to the back of the house.
The flying was very professional, the chorus was super and it was an extremely enjoyable evening.
The orchestra was made up of students and their playing was very professional. If you couldn't get there to see it in person, I'm sure it will be shown on the CHS cable station sometime soon.
Perhaps someone from the show could post the air dates here when they are known?
To the cast and crew and orchestra and faculty advisors, thanks for a wonderful show! Go ahead and crow! |
Tom Reingold
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 2503
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 10:43 am: | |
Last night, we had to sit in the row in front of the back row, which was a bit distracting, but we loved the show anyway. The choreography was fantastic. I loved the Indians, and my wife loved the pirates. My sister I listened to the Mary Martin record often as a kid, and we watched as the film-of-the-play was shown on TV each year. This play is the most magical for me, as it is embedded so deeply in me.
Tom Reingold the prissy-pants
There is nothing
|
C Bataille
Citizen
Username: Nakaille
Post Number: 1683
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 6:10 pm: | |
What an ambitious, successful show! We went last night and absolutely LOVED it! Top-notch and a wonderful example of what our local adolescents are capable of with the right support. Kudos to all involved. You should ALL be proud of yourselves and one another. Thank you!
Cathy |
pat
Citizen
Username: Pat
Post Number: 14
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 9:19 pm: | |
Naborly, thanks for the tip re: standby list.We did go early and put our names on it and wound up getting seats together. They did a great job of quick and orderly ticket distribution, especially given the size of the crowd. Show was terrific: a production like that can only be the product of an amazing place! |
Giles Indic
Citizen
Username: Dreamingguy88
Post Number: 1
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 7:20 pm: | |
tax payers money was not used to pay people to fly others.
gotto so middle this saturday, 03/27/04, to watch their musical.
~a dreamer |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 2275
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 9:23 pm: | |
Peter Pan will not be shown on public access cable, this I heard right from the director's mouth Sunday night. Copyright restrictions, alas. |
C Bataille
Citizen
Username: Nakaille
Post Number: 1687
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 8:43 am: | |
Sorry to hear that, Tom.
Question - where/how did they get that wonderful gauze curtain? Did the kids make it themselves? Was it rented? Created by professional artists? It set up a wonderfully high expectation right from the outset of a delightful show. And then the cast/orchestra/cres went on to meet/exceed the expectation!
Cathy |
Barbara
Citizen
Username: Blh
Post Number: 232
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 9:13 am: | |
Cathy,
That's actually something I learned during this presentation. That curtain is called a scrim. Definition: A mesh-like curtain that is opaque when lit from the front, and translucent when lit from the back. Scenes behind a scrim often portray thoughts, memories or flashbacks because the faint haze of the scrim gives an other-worldly appearance to the scene.
In this case, the scrim was rented, as was Nana's costume. |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 2277
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 11:22 am: | |
The London backdrop (seen at the end of Act I when the kids are flying) was also rented. Everything else was painted by the students. |
C Bataille
Citizen
Username: Nakaille
Post Number: 1688
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 12:54 pm: | |
Excellent choice of rentals (along with the flying mechanism.) This was a show well worth the ticket price. I hope younger kids who saw it will be inspired to participate in these kinds of activities throughout their school years. I pointed out to my kid afterwards that students who work hard on their class plays in early grades get to do stuff like this when they get older. She thought that was pretty cool.
Cathy |
grw
Citizen
Username: Grw
Post Number: 263
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 7:56 pm: | |
Congratulations to CHS!Peter Pan was better than any $1oo.oo ticket on Broadway!Mr. Hely should be commended! The cast and stage crew did an outstanding job. The orchestra was was as good as any on broadway! We were so proud of our grandaughter.She was a lost boy that sparkled!!!!!Thank you all who worked so hard to make Peter Pan come alive! |
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