Rainy River High School's Groovin' to "Musical Stories of the Heart"

Corey O'Neill, at right, led a small team in the Before the play the high school actors were out wel• Isaiah Srivastava, Kirsten Horton, Taylor Jack, Re• kitchens to prepare a burger dinner, diner style, com• coming each table. Here you can see Alayla Paypom• becca Brown and Morgan McDermid from the grade plete with a myriad of toppings, home made potato pee centre right. 11 guitar class, practice before things start. They ac• fries and banana splits for dessert. It was like crazy companied the performers in some of the songs. Their man! From left, pictured with Corey, Corey Dyck, music really set the tone. Greg Armistead and Laurie Kuzyk.

Remember that duet in Grease? Summer Nights? Here Rizzo and the Pink Ladies back up Sandy, played by Kayla Brass. Oh, Oh those summer nights! Sandy Well, Sandy met Danny but he was strutting for his Much of the cast for Grease, led by the Pink Ladies, doesn't know that Danny is going to her high school greaser group and was rude. In this pic he is trying to belted out the opening song, "Wise Men Say". yet. win her back, trying to get his ring off his finger to give to her, and having trouble with both.

Danny tried to become more of a jock to please Sandy "Beauty and the Beast" opens with the townsfolk but that didn't work very well. Finally graduation singing, "What a beauty and a funny girl is Belle". They The enchanted people in the castle are delighted to came and to everyone's surprise Sandy decided to be• cannot understand the girl who is not interested in have Belle stay with them, well most of them. The come like all the other girls, the kind Danny was used Gaston, does not want to marry and wants "more than clock isn't too sure. The rest prepare a great feast. to. Wise men say, they lived happily ever after. this provincial life". Lumière leads them in singing "Be Our Guest". This by Charleen Gustafson " There were so many surprised the heck out of wheeled trays of food in was a delightful routine including the grade 4/5 class A "far out" meal topped amazing musicals to pick me with his incredible vo• and out of the Diner while as the dinnerware, Luminère and the clock and Mrs off Rainy River High from, that we decided to cals and willingness to try we feasted on a "peachy Potts and everybody. School's fifties themed create our own that com• anything! He was a force keen" burger meal served fun." Danny, but Danny has to "Musical Stories of the bined three of our to reckon with... I believe in a basket. But the "snazz• Finally, after an elegant act tough and is rude. This Heart" performance last favourites. The AEA class that he helped gently guide iest" part of all was the sufficiency, we sat back for goes on, with Danny try• Friday night. collaborated on the script the others into pushing dessert! Oh Wow! A classic the main attraction. The ing to be more of a jock in The school gym looked and rehearsals began in past their comfort zone to banana split with a whole actors who were rushing to order to impress her, but like a 50's diner with early February. try their best... and the banana, at least three serve us minutes before, failing. At the end of the brightly coloured table• "My AEA students did proof was on stage... these scoops of ice•cream, came on stage looking re• story, at graduation, Sandy cloths,Tootsie rolls and most of the choreography guys were phenomenal!" whipped cream, strawber• freshed and elated with a surprises everybody by be• Double Bubble on the ta• and taught it to the other Each student involved did ries, pineapple, chocolate classic Elvis song, "Wise coming a hip chick and bles. Immediately one re• students. I have two stu• many jobs. Way before the fudge syrup and cherries Men Say" to begin the singing "You're the one alized that this was a dents graduating this year. supper was to begin, on top! How they were Grease story. During at that I Want". performance that included Kevin Cunningham and Patrick Boissoneault, a able to make all of those least one of the songs the And then, quick as a wink, many, many individuals in Abbey Tolen. They have grade 8 student at for all of us, all at once, is a grade 11 guitar class played the actors were back but in its set up. been in every drama pro• Riverview and one of the mystery. And there were along. different costumes and Katherine Williams was duction since grade 9. major actors, was already not that many back in the Grease, a favourite musi• roles for the next act. the reason this all hap• They are both extremely setting props. There was no kitchen. The kitchen crew cal set in the late 50s, is all Our narrator, Mariah Lau• pened. She said, "This was strong artists and will be prop manager or stage di• was led by Corey O'Neill, about teens in love. This zon, set the scene by telling a collaborative effort be• missed. rector. All the actors were who is in charge of the daily version was narrated by us that this fairy tale is a tween RRHS and "I am extremely proud of responsible for setting lunch program at the high Kirsten Armstrong who 4000 year old romance Riverview, Kelly Agar and all the cast but especially their own costumes and school. "She is the main filled in some of the plot story with the elements of her grade 4/5 class and my leads! Mariah Lauzon, props plus the stage props. lady," said Rebecca Brown, details so we could focus fairy tales, magic, charac• Michelle VanBeek and her Alayla Paypompee, Kayla Two of the actors, Abbey who gave me much of the on the singing. "Danny is ters facing dilemmas and a Grade 8 class. Also joining Brass, Madi Whetzel, Tolen and Madi Whetzel info. Helping her was Greg messed up." Danny Zuko, happy ending. The beauti• us were members of Abbey Tolen, Gethan did makeup and hair for Armistead, Laurie Kuzyk, played by Kevin Cunning• ful Disney version of Tiffany Rittau's advanced Woods and Kevin Cunning• everyone. Three of the ac• Corey Dyck, Alana Gerula ham, meets the new girl Beauty and The Beast has Guitar class. There were ham. Musicals are some• tors, Kevin Cunningham, and Cathy Sequin. When Sandy Olsson, played by universal appeal. It opens over 50 students participat• thing new to this school Alayla Paypompee and asked how they did the ba• Kayla Brass, at the beach with the selfish Prince, ing. and these students had a Kayla Brass, were in charge nana splits so quickly she during the summer and played by Gethon Wood, "Most of our rehearsals huge weight to shoulder... of costuming. said, "I don't know. It just then they find out in Sep• being put under a spell, and were done during school not only did they have to And before the show happened. We had an as• tember they are both in told he will look like a beast hours as the musical is part sing, but they also had to there was no hanging out sembly line and away they Rainy River High School. unless someone can love of my AEA class project... dance. They ended up ex• in the green rooms. All the went. That was homemade Danny is the leader of the him even in his ugliness be• The props and artwork ceeding not only my expec• high school actors were out hot fudge sauce on top. It local greasers. Sandy is re• fore the last petal falls from were done by my period 1 tations but their own. in the crowd, welcoming was good because almost fined but becomes friends the enchanted rose. Belle, grade 11 visual art class. So Three of the leads had everybody and later wait• everything we served was with the Pink Ladies, led by played by Alayla Paypom• this was a massive under• never been in a play before ing on them. healthy. When it was over I the cynic Rizzo. The Pink pee, lives in the village, taking! let alone a musical.... Kevin For an hour the actors was tired but happy. It was Ladies introduce Sandy to Please turn to page 2 Page 2, The Westend Weekly, May 17, 2017

"Musical Stories of the Heart" continued from page 1

Belle and the Beast learn to eat together. Then she The Beast shows Belle his library and Belle tenderly In "Hairspray" Tracy, played by Abbey Tolen, loves to tries to go back to help her father but is attacked by offers to read a story to him because he doesn't read dance and wants to be on the local dance show but wolves and the Beast saves her. well. They dance. And they live happily ever after. people tell her she hasn't got a chance. She believes in herself and keeps trying.

over the lines a few times songs. It was great being but learn more when doing with the high school stu• it. Emotions just come nat• dents and gaining the ex• urally. I just think it's fun to perience in drama." pretend to be someone Kiera Govier, Alyssa else." Kevin will be leaving Wenell•Jack, Avery Kreger, for college to do film pro• Ireland Blakney and Erika duction in TB this Fall. Gerula liked the "Born to "We practiced during Hand Jive" routine. "The class at first. Then we had group experience was re• three dress rehearsals that ally fun. We got to spend lasted all day. We went time with High School be• over the entire play three fore going into it." They all

times each day. I volun• agreed they were going teered to do the narrator into drama next year. Corny Collins the dance show's host, played by up and Tracy takes part in a demonstration that gets her in because nobody wanted Ms Williams continued, "I comer Patrick Boissonneault in grade 8, gives Tracy a to. It was a great experi• am looking forward to the chance and she is noticed by heart throb Link, played trouble. Link realizes that Tracy is the girl for him. He frees her and they live happily ever after. ence, and everybody got grade 8 class moving into by Kevin Cunningham. along. My favourite part grade 9 next year. This is loves books and dreams garty. The lead character is each play. Then we did "It's a Wonder• was all the interaction with the second musical for of adventure. The town Tracy played by Abbey Before and after the per• ful Life" and "Mulan". Then the other students" said many of them and as you hunk, Gaston, has decided Tolen, who loves to dance, formance some had time this year it was "The Kirsten Armstrong one of could tell, there is a lot of to do her the favour of mar• wears bouffant hair dos to talk. Brother's Grimm Spectacu• the grade eight students. talent there! There is al• rying her. Belle does not and is always optimistic. "Yes I am one of the ac• lathon". I think once you "It was a a great way to ways such a shortage of think this is a favour at all. She and her friends love tors," said Gethon Wood as do the part about 50 times help prepare for high males willing to participate Meanwhile her father gets the after school show, he served us our burgers. or more it just sticks. I love school," continued Mom in drama that it is my hope lost in the woods while try• Corny Collins, the host That was it. Talk about practice. I usually I don't Lori. that some of them will sign ing to get his invention to played by Patrick Bois• humble. He was The Beast, spend too much time Olivia Kreger was in all up to be a part of next market. He asks for shelter soneault, which has local and Kennicki in Grease and memorizing it but mainly three plays. "I loved every years production." in the enchanted castle of young people dance to the Dad in Hairspray. do it in rehearsals. I read song. I loved learning the modern music. When there "I like the pink lady cos• the Prince but is locked up for trespassing. When Belle is an opening for a dancer, tume best," said Abbey offers to take her father's Tracy applies and wows Tolen, "but I loved being them all with her moves. Tracy because there was by Kim Jo Bliss place, she is met by an Moos She bumps into Link the lots of singing." Her energy wonderful crew of en• Many are talking about heart throb, played by in Hairspray was electrify• the paper work but like I it is good that they were chanted people, including needing a nice warm rain Kevin Cunningham, and ing. After the performance said the rain will come and able to see how busy every• the eternally optimistic ro• and how our mornings are falls in love. Tracy takes she said, "I love perform• I will get that under control one is. Some parts of On• mantic, Lumière. Belle still cool. Both are likely part in a demonstration ing. It is sad that this is my as well. tario are still struggling tries to return to her father true, but I will take dry, cool supporting desegregation last year. It was a lot of fun. This week was supposed with weather. I didn’t have but is attacked by wolves. days over wet anytime. It and is imprisoned. Link re• We are all really good to be our sheep shearing much to show them yet The Prince saves her. They will happen as it always alizes he loves her and friends being in a small week but once again our here at EARS but we did fall in love and the spell is does. It is looking like to• frees her. They live happily school like this. I spent four person has cancelled. So if have a chance to share ended. Tale as old as time, morrow we will see some ever after. years with them and did you know of anyone that with them some of our ex• song as old as rhyme. rain and the grass will grow It was wonderful to watch lots. Next year will be busy might be interested at all • citing projects we have Hairspray, set in 1962, has and we will be wearing the students so obviously but I hope I can find time please get in touch with planned. a very serious political un• shorts and showing off our enjoying what they were for drama." me! We pay well and it is a Last week they also made dertone dealing with dis• white skin in no time at all. doing. They appeared to all Alayla Paypompee was job that needs to get taken an announcement in Tim• crimination, racism and The work you can accom• be friends and supportive Rizzo in Grease and Belle in care of! mins, ON – “Ontario Ex• perceptions of what is plish right now without the of each other. All of the ac• Beauty and the Beast. "I You may have noticed panding Agriculture beauty, but that is not part moisture outweighs the tors in the high school liked being an extra in Hair• that we were approved for Opportunities in the of the love story in this ver• other. We are slowly pro• drama group performed in spray because there was no our 2nd “Catch the Ace” North.” Ontario is working sion, narrated by Taya Ha• gressing here at EARS with stress, no solo." No one Lottery! Get your tickets to increase access to local a fair bit planted but we still could tell she was stressed quick – as we will be pulling food, create jobs and boost Booking have a fair bit to go. Many in any way. She was calm the ticket this week on Fri• economic growth in the farmers have seeded now for and centred. day at the Annual Rainy North by establishing a Blue’s 1000’s of acres in compari• Spring Kevin Cunningham River First Nations Fish Fry livestock farming pilot son but we have some fid• played the lead Danny in at 5 p.m.! If you are not project. I am pleased they Painting dley plots that take time to Quality Painting Grease and the heartthrob sure where to find the tick• are looking at the North, set up. We haven’t Service Link in Hairspray. "I have ets please let me know! but I think they are over• with Care switched over to small been in the plays ever since As well, this week the looking the producers that seeds (other than canola) I was in high school. First Riverside Foundation will are here and have been * Call for Free Estimate * but that will happen this there was "Treasure Island, be making their Early Bird here for many years. Our Hugh “Blue” Barrett, Rainy River and surrounding area week provided the weather then in grade ten it was Draw for the Canada Cash government keeps talking 807-861-0272 [email protected] cooperates. Let me tell "Arsenic and Old Lace". Day lottery. The Early Bird about access to local food Friendly Quality Service! you • I am very behind on is a Fishing Package for but yet we are all strug•