By LANCE FLEMING
Abilene ISD Communications
One year after the Abilene High and Cooper theatre departments combined to present “SpongeBob The Musical,” the departments are returning to producing their own shows in 2024.
Cooper will present Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella Jan. 25-27, at the CHS Auditorium. Shows are scheduled for Jan. 25-26 at 7 p.m. and Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 apiece (adults and children).
Abilene High, meanwhile, will present Meredith Willson’s Music Man the same weekend at the AHS auditorium. Shows are scheduled for Jan. 25-26 at 7 p.m. and Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 apiece (adults and children).
While one show will be similar to what theatergoers have seen for decades, the other differs slightly from the classic fairytale. Here’s a short preview of each show:
Cooper Presents Cinderella
Those attending Cooper’s presentation of Cinderella are in for quite a few surprises, including what director Kimberly Lewis calls a “major plot twist” to the story made famous by Disney. The Rodgers and Hammerstein version, however, is derived from the fairy tale, although it still centers around a young woman forced into a life of servitude by her cruel stepmother.
In this version, she still dreams of a better life, and with the help of her Fairy Godmother, Cinderella is transformed into an elegant woman, attends the ball, and meets her Prince. However, in this version, she helps the Prince see the injustices in his kingdom.
“It’s fun to have a twist and surprise the audience, and there are quite a few surprises in this version of the story,” Lewis said. “It’s been a challenge to direct kids who know the original story and get them out of that mindset. But it’s also been fun and allowed for a lot of creativity for character development and telling the story in a new way. The kids are more excited about it because of the plot twists. The first time I watched this version of the story, I was shocked and thought it was such a fun twist. But the kids’ reaction when I showed it to them got me excited about this show.”
Cooper sophomore Amelia Rockett, who plays Cinderella, said those twists aren’t the only changes in the show. More thorough character development throughout the story has made for a more engaging process in preparing the show.
“This show does differ from the story we all know … probably quite a bit,” Rockett said. “In the original, we don’t see the prince’s background or even know his name. But in this story, we learn about Prince Topher, his background, and how he’s learning to rule the kingdom. We dive into the family dynamic between the evil stepmother, the stepsisters, and Cinderella. It’s an interesting show, different than what I’ve grown up with. But I love the storyline; it’s fun to portray on stage. There are quite a few surprises and twists and turns I think the audience will enjoy.”
Main Cast
Cinderella – Amelia Rockett
Prince Topher – Kamonie Ford
Sebastian – Gaven Aguirre
Marie (Fairy Godmother) – Lauren Valentine
Madame (Stepmother) – Samantha Young
Charlotte (Stepsister) – Zoey Klohn
Gabrielle (Stepsister) – Alyssa Del Castillo
Jean-Michel – Alexander Hall
Lord Pinkerton – Aiden Enriquez
Abilene High presents The Music Man
When AHS Theatre Director Kyle Martin chose The Music Man last spring for this year’s musical presentation, he selected one of his favorite shows that he first saw as a 5-year-old when his father played the lead. He also knew he had picked a show that holds a place in the hierarchy of the American theatre, along with Oklahoma, Les Miserables, Chicago, Rent, Wicked, Hamilton, Phantom of the Opera, and The Lion King, to name a few.
But the two leads in this year’s production learned which show they were presenting, they weren’t sure about the pick after watching the 1962 movie and the 2003 remake.
“One thing that helps us – even though Music Man is such a well-known story – is that it’s not common in our generation,” said AHS senior Barrett Roberson, who plays Harold Hill. “I had never seen it before I got the part and started working on it. We’re telling a story that’s new to us, and that’s been good. I’ve watched the movie since we started working on it, and I love the music. But the plot is … interesting.”
After arriving in River City, Iowa, Hill cons the community into starting a band by purchasing the uniforms and instruments from him. He intends to leave the city as soon as he receives the money. Librarian Marian Paroo, played by senior Hope Arrazola, suspects Hill is a fraud but holds her tongue because her moody brother, Winthrop Paroo (played by Jasper Kennedy) is excited about the band. As Hill develops feelings for Marian, he faces a difficult decision about skipping town.
Roberson has developed a unique way to get into his characters, one he put to the test for the role of Harold Hill.
“When I get a part, I want to figure out their enneagram number,” he said of the theoretical test that assigns a number that fits your personality. “I’m a 3, and I believe Harold Hill is a 3. I’ve been able to tap into that seeking approval piece and being able to improvise, adapt, and interact with other people. But I see why he was the person he was, and then playing that transformation from con man falling in love with the town and the people. I can sadly see a lot of myself in Harold Hill.”
Arrazola has found a connection to her character and the other characters as rehearsals have intensified as the show nears.
“I’ve seen both movies, and they’re not quite the same as being on stage,” she said. “When we started, the biggest challenge for me was that I wasn’t sure I loved the character of Marian, and I had to find a way to like her. I wasn’t sure how to connect with the character, but now when I see it on stage vs. the movie, I feel like I’ve made the connection to Marian and the other characters.”
Main Cast
Harold Hill – Barrett Roberson
Marian Paroo – Hope Arrazola
Marcellus Washburn – Jackson Riley
Mayor George Shinn – Ben Jeter
Eulalie Shinn – Kelsie Patterson
Mrs. Paroo – Lauren McGrew
Charlie Cowell – Caleb Irwin
Tommy Djilas – Brady Westmoreland
