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Requested in home 04-09-09 CountrysideCountryside ❖❖ PotomacPotomac FallsFalls ❖❖ LowesLowes IslandIsland ❖❖ SterlingSterling The Hard Mandie Plowman learns some dance moves for her role in the upcoming production of “The Pajama Game” at Park View High School on April 30, May 1 and 2 and Work May 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. Of Make Classifieds, page 13 Classifieds, ❖ Believe On Stage, page 2 Sports, page 12 ❖ Real Estate, page 11 Real Estate, ❖ Golf Classic Is Driving Calendar, page 8 Force for Dominion Sports, page 12 Governor’s Race Comes to Northern Virginia News, page 6 Photo By Robbie hammer/The Connection www.ConnectionNewspapers.comApril 8-14, 2009 ❖ Volume VI, Number 9 online at www.connectionnewspapers.comLoudoun/Cascades Connection ❖ April 8-14, 2009 ❖ 1 On Stage Photos by Photos Robbie Hammer /The Connection Assistant choreographers Jessica Stopa and Allison Pritchett help the actors of Dominion High School’s Amy Young, theatre director at Dominion High School, directs her students during a production of “The Music Man,” with dance moves during recent rehearsal at the school for their upcoming production of “The Music Man”. a recent rehearsal at the school. Production dates for Production dates for “The Music Man” are April 30, May 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m. and on “The Music Man” are April 30, May 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m. May 3 at 3 p.m. and on May 3 at 3 p.m. It’s Hard Work To Make Believe addition to two-plus hour rehearsals each attest to that. Martinez has run track and she has a major role as Auntie Em and has As they learn lines, day after school, there is the work of memo- played basketball through her four years but a solo song. students also learn rizing lines that must be done at home, in this, her final semester of high school, “Every single little thing — just like in a which is the same place that the student Martinez gave up track to focus on theater. sport — affects every second of a show,” about themselves. actors often rehearse the intricate dance She had only taken part in one show be- Martinez said. In fact, in some ways the- steps in their bedrooms, and those who are fore — last year’s production of “Arabian ater is harder, she said. Instead of relying truly committed to acting become students Nights” — and had never had a lead role or on four teammates on the basketball court By Aaron Stern of human nature and avid people watch- performed in a musical before. This year at a time, the entire cast and crew — 30 The Connection ers. people or more — must rely on one another “It’s hours of work that they put into it,” to ensure a successful production. And un- n one year Jessie Bhamrah made the said Potomac Falls drama director Renee “It’s hours of work that like in a sport where there are moments one transition from stoic cowboy to ren- Haynes. “It’s every bit as much work as a they put into it.” can fade into the background, in theater Iegade chocolate tycoon. It was a lot sport is.” that is not an option. Every movement, ev- of work. Stone Bridge senior Vicky Martinez can — Potomac Falls drama director ery note, every gesture has to be precise, “You have no idea,” said Bhamrah as he Renee Haynes Martinez said. broke from rehearsal last week at Briar “Once you get it right it’s the Woods High School. A junior, Bhamrah best feeling,” she said. took up acting last year. His first part was a small role as a WHAT KEEPS ACTORS coming High School cowboy in “Crazy for back is not just that feeling of get- Theatre You,” but now, just a ting it right but the thrill and chal- year later, Bhamrah lenge of acting itself. played Willy Wonka “You can step out onto the stage himself in the Briar Woods performance and be anyone you want. There’s of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” nowhere else you can do that,” earlier this month. Last year he had to said Dominion senior Chris memorize seven lines. This year he had Wolfe. over 100. Being someone else isn’t always “Learning lines was a killer,” he said. easy. Musicals are one thing — Bhamrah’s rapid ascension from an af- the characters and subject mat- terthought character to a lead role is ter tend towards the lighter side atypical in high school theater, where — but dramas can be difficult, students typically rise from minor roles said Potomac Falls senior Heather as freshmen to lead roles as juniors and Ellis. There are times in drama seniors, putting in hundreds of hours class that Ellis is rehearsing the rehearsing, memorizing and performing Park View choral students partici- role of a troubled character, try- along the way. pate in a dress rehearsal at the ing to connect with the depth of It is difficult for those not involved in school on March 31 while prepar- emotion that her character is ex- theater to appreciate the amount of work ing for their upcoming production periencing. that students put into a show, said Do- of “The Pajama Game.” minion drama director Amy Young. In See Cast, Page 15 2 ❖ Loudoun/Cascades Connection ❖ April 8-14, 2009 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Loudoun Connection Editor Steven Mauren On Stage 703-917-6431 or [email protected] Looking Ahead Practicing ‘The Wiz’ STONE BRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL Stone Bridge High School’s upcoming spring Multi-Hat musical has Dorothy, Auntie Em, and the Wicked Witch, but it’s not exactly the “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” “The Wiz” reimagines the classic tale of Dorothy’s trip through an alternate world, but puts a 1970s urban spin on the story. Wizardry “I like how it’s crazier than the ‘Wizard of Oz,’ crazier and funkier,” said senior Vicky Martinez, who plays Auntie Em. Dorothy will be played by Abi York, the Wicked Witch by Austen Willis, Drama directors and Erik DeLong will play the Wiz. The show runs at Stone Bridge High School master multi-tasking, April 16, 17, and 18 starting at 7:30 p.m. long hours, and the ‘Music Man’ personal growth of Stone Bridge drama director Glenn Hochkeppel works with senior Vicky DOMINION HIGH SCHOOL Martinez to perfect the opening musical number to “The Wiz.” As a sleazy salesman and con man bent on their students. making a profit at the expense of the poor in leading a cast and crew of 30-some high Photos by Aaron Stern/The Connection inhabitants of River City, Harold Hill doesn’t By Aaron Stern start “Music Man” as a sympathetic or very school students who are themselves still likeable character. Over the course of the show, The Connection growing up while juggling busy academic, though, Hill begins to embrace moral responsi- extracurricular and social lives. Conse- bility, prompted in part by his love for River City untie Em loves her niece, but tak- quently, drama directors alternate between resident Marion, and the town comes to benefit from Hill’s con scheme. ing care of her wasn’t her first coach, cheerleader, confidante and whip Director Amy Young said the show’s message choice of ways to devote her life. cracker. of unity and support for children during hard A economic times is particularly poignant these Conveying such sentiment in “You wear every hat in the book,” said song is no easy task, and two weeks before Dominion High School drama director Amy days, particularly as school systems consider cutting arts programs to save money. opening night Stone Bridge Woods. “Strong families still need kids to be involved drama director Glen Then, of course, there is the [in] constructive activities and the arts,” said Hochkeppel was trying to help “You wear show itself to direct. Directors Young. senior Vicky Martinez, who is choose shows based on the stu- The show runs April 30, May 1, 2, and 3. The every hat in Thursday, Friday, Saturday shows start at 7:30 playing Auntie Em in the dents they have, while consid- p.m. and the Sunday, May 3 show starts at 3:30. school’s upcoming perfor- ering the themes of recent Tickets are $7 for students, $10 for adults. mance of “The Wiz,” find her the book.” shows and what will appeal to inspiration. — Dominion High the audience. ‘The Pajama Game’ “It’s kind of a hard thing to School drama “The way I look at theater… hear, it’s like ‘Yeah, I love you, director Amy Woods is you have to be responsive to PARK VIEW HIGH SCHOOL but not a million,’” the community,” said Marilyn A standoff between a union and corporate Hochkeppel told Martinez. Gilligan, who is in her third executives at a pajama factory may be an unlikely setting for a love story, but that’s what Then he quickly walked through the paces year as the director at Briar Woods. “You happens in Park View High School’s upcoming he wanted to see from Martinez while giv- want the public to come out and if our spring musical “The Pajama Game.” ing his stage directions in a grave musical neighborhood is created of little kids on up, The show has lots of catchy tunes and a singsong — “It’s kind I want to do pieces where someone’s little mixture of adult humor and good clean laughs for youngsters, making it a good show for the of like ‘ah da da da, brother can come see it.” whole family, said Park View junior and stage you’re running away, To get the most out of students who are manager Joy Urban.