Director's Notes from JJ:
Students always question the choice of their high school musical. It's only natural to want to give input for the choice of something that means so much to you or to what you will be investing so much time into and performing on stage. The choice of this musical was based on our current students and also our "DREAM" theme for the year. When I saw Something Rotten in July of 2015, I knew it would be an incredible show to do at the high school. It is a show full of curricular connections. My theater teacher brain raced with excitement as I watched the Renaissance come alive with a contemporary musical score and a script full of wit and theater references. The dream to connect our musical to curriculum came true as our assistant director, Miss Jackie Leibowitz came into our lives. Her dramaturgy work is exquisitive-a work of art and research and love for musical theater and all of the details that keep her up until 4 am to create a resource for our students that enhance their performances, open their minds and makes our show the "dream connection" that we always strive for. I confidently believe that is what makes CGHS productions unique and more than just a "high school musical". So the following notes are for all you musical theater lovers and my partners in crime out there-for Jackie, Eliza, Janine, Emily V, Josh, Andy, Tyler, Natalia, Jody, Linda, Mom & Dad, and especially my incredible cast and crew of students:
(A Modern "It's a Musical" from JJ) I love you!
These words are for our safe place, for our family and for everyone to know how much we love musical theater here in CG. See if you can identify these shows :)
In whatever time we have, for as long as we are living, we can face whatever comes, if we face it now as one. There is one thing that's eternal. That cannot be torn apart. There is one thing that remains forever true. Past the thinking, past the breathing. Past the beating of my heart. It will all fade away but you. I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason. Bringing something we must learn, and we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them. And we help them in return. Well, I don't know if I believe that's true. But I know I'm who I am today because I knew you...There's a place where we don't have to feel unknown, and every time that you call out, you're a little less alone. If you only say the word from across the silence your voice is heard. Who cares what other people say and when we're through, no one can convince us we were wrong. All it takes is you and me and a song. Make people see how the world could one day be. It might come true if we take a chance but 'til that day comes, I say cue the drums. It's time to dance. Everyone has someone special in the world, and I have you; Give me a task to do. Now, you've seen me goin' through it. It may seem there's nothin' to it. But I simply cannot do it alone! I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind that I put down in words, how wonderful life is, now you're in the world. Nobody but me is gonna change my story. Let's hear it for the dreamers. Who never stop believing. One grain of sand becomes a pearl. A great idea can change the world. They can see what others don't try things others won't. So this one's for the dreamers, who live on inspiration. Go as far as they can take it. Even if they don't quite make it.
This one's for the dreamers,
JJ
