Everyone knows that the fall musical and spring play are long-awaited events, filled with fun, friends, and fantastic acting! Here's an insider look at what's ahead from our amazing teacher leaders, Mrs. Ehlert, Ms. Bantel, Mrs. Houchins, and Dr. Cramer. 

"Cyrano De Burgershack" is a fun pop musical that is a modern twist on a classic play called "Cryano De Bergerac." Cyrano is king of the local BurgerShack, but he can’t seem to win the love of his best friend, Roxanne. When Roxanne confesses her crush on the new burger-flipper, Christian, Cyrano decides that playing Cupid is better than sitting out of the game. An updated, modern-day version of Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac, this rollicking musical features a mix of original songs and contemporary pop hits, including “Call Me Maybe,” “Firework,” and “To Make You Feel My Love,” that will have audiences cheering.

If you think that sounds interesting, good! The performances will be on Friday, November 21st, at 7 PM, and Saturday, November 22nd, at 2 PM. You will be able to purchase tickets online through HomeTown Ticketing and wtcdrama.com closer to the production.

And finally, the part I'm sure you've been waiting for: the interviews! 

Mrs. Ehlert (Teacher Leader) -

What role do you have in the play? Director

How do you feel about your role?  It's a lot to organize, so I'm so glad that I have an amazing teacher leader team with me!  Mrs. Houchins does vocal direction, Dr. Cramer is an Assistant Director, and Ms. Bantel is also assisting with choreography.  They're amazing!

What’s your favorite part about your specific role?  I love being able to see all of the moving parts come together and then hand it over to the cast and crew for the shows.  It really is an amazing process to watch over three months.

What’s your favorite part about being a part of the musical as a whole?  If the students feel proud of the production they have created, that is absolutely the best part.  Knowing you own a part of a magical thing is priceless.

Is there anything else that you’d like to add about your experience in the musical?  This musical is full of pop songs that will be familiar to everyone in the audience, which is a first for me to direct.  I'm hoping that makes the experience for the audience even more enjoyable.

Brennen O'Keefe (Cyrano) -

What role do you have in the play? I'm Cyrano, and I have a giant nose named Harold.

How do you feel about your role? I feel great, but a little nervous, with how many lines I have to memorize, and the songs I'm singing... They aren't exactly the ones I'd prefer to sing, but they aren't the worst.

What’s your favorite part about your specific role? My giant nose named Harold.

What’s your favorite part about being a part of the musical as a whole?  Just in general, I get to work with my friends, I get to go out after school and enjoy something that I love to do. I love to sing, dancing I'm okay with, if you see me in my room dancing I will fall over half the time. But generally I just love being in theater as a whole. 

Is there anything else that you’d like to add about your experience in the musical? When I get my classes, please do not mock me for having a giant nose named Harold. It's a certificate, and I would like to keep it that way.

Eden Turner (Roxanne) -

What role do you have in the play? I'm playing Roxanne.

How do you feel about your role? I'm very happy with it actually. This was kind of like dream role. Roxanne is the lead and I've been waiting to get a lead for like ever.

What’s your favorite part about your specific role? I really like that I kind of get to be the whole premise of the show. Like the musical kind of wouldn't have happened without her because it's kind of like they're playing for her. The two boys are kind of chasing her, and it just feels so important. 

What’s your favorite part about being a part of the musical as a whole?  I've been obsessed with musical theater since I was like nine years old, so it's really nice to be a part of a big show along with a lot of my friends that I get to totally goof off with.

Is there anything else that you’d like to add about your experience in the musical? Just that it's awesome, and you guys should audition for the play in the spring. We are doing Ten Ways To Survive A Zombie Apocalypse and you guys should come watch Cyrano De Burgershack!

Drew Rakey (Christian) - 

What role do you have in the play? I'm Christian, Cyrano's friend.

How do you feel about your role? I'm happy about it. It's really fun and he's a funny guy.

What’s your favorite part about your specific role? I just think his personality is really fun.

What’s your favorite part about being a part of the musical as a whole?  It's really fun, and everyone there is just so kind and caring. It's a great way to make friends.

Is there anything else that you’d like to add about your experience in the musical? Not really, it's just amazing and you should join it!

Charlotte Sakowski (6th Grader) -

What role do you have in the play? Joan Paul

How do you feel about your role?  I feel pretty good about it, except Mrs. Ehlert tried to change my role to a girl, for Jean Paulette. And in the musical, I have to pretend like I am flirting with the main role.

What’s your favorite part about your specific role?  I like how I have to do a French accent.

What’s your favorite part about being a part of the musical as a whole?  Well I haven't done much yet but I think I'd probably say that one of the funnest parts is just being around it as a whole.

Is there anything else that you’d like to add about your experience in the musical? Not much else, really.

Kai Rennels (Student Assistant Director) -

What role do you have in the play? I'm the assistant director.

How do you feel about your role? I feel pretty good about it. I had it last year for the Frozen musical.

What’s your favorite part about your specific role?  I like the power I have. It's kind of fun.

What’s your favorite part about being a part of the musical as a whole?   I really like the community. It's a really nice community, and nobody judges. 

Is there anything else that you’d like to add about your experience in the musical?  It's pretty fun. You should join for the play.

And that's all for this article! I hope that you decide to come to our incredible musical in November. In the words of Thornton Wilder, "I regard the theater as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being".

Article written by Mabel Samnee