Thank you for attending today’s show. I hope you enjoy your time here at WLA and I thank you for your support of the WLA drama program.
When you have been a part of theatre for over half of your life, certain shows stick out as being extra memorable. While I probably couldn't name all of the productions I have ever worked on, this show in particular will stick with me for a long time because was my first ever "real" production. Back in November 2003 at Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School as a freshman, I was just a lowly chorus member, singing and dancing on stage. It is with great joy that I now get to bring a show so near and dear to me to you.
Hello, Dolly! has entertained millions of people since it first came out in 1964, winning 10 Tony awards that year (a record which would stand for 37 years.) The original cast album made it to the top of the Billboard Music Charts in June, 1964, replaced by the amazingly memorable and often reproduced hit, "Hello, Dolly" sung by Louis Armstrong. The musical itself has since been revived on Broadway three times, with a fourth revival opening in spring. A movie starring Barbra Streisand and Walter Matthau also premiered in 1969, one of the major movie musicals produced during the time that is still enjoyed today.
I have enjoyed every second of this show: planning, auditions, rehearsals, constructing a set, and now the performances. I praise God every day for the talents that he has blessed our students with, and I hope that they leave this show not only with fond memories, but also with a better understanding of acting and drama.
It is an amazing feat as well, and something I thank God for every day, that we are able to do shows like this. We have the involvement of 76 students this year - that's just over a quarter of our student body! It is a great pleasure to see them grow together as both a team on stage, as well as a family in Christ.
I’d like to take this opportunity to also thank my wife, Stephanie, for putting up with many long hours at WLA. A thank you also goes out to Kevin Ehlke, Dale Witte, Linda Lueck, Julie Wilson, Kate Schroeder, Gail Bates, Tonia Nebl, and Julie Waldschmidt for the many hours they also have put into this show, whether working with the students, putting together costumes or the set, or selling tickets. Finally, a thank you to the parents of all of our students in the production for helping me work around the many calendars at WLA to schedule practices and work days.
There is one final request of you: please continue to support the arts, both at WLA and in your community. The British playwright Lee Hall perhaps said it best: "The point of theatre is transformation. To make an extraordinary event out of ordinary material right in front of an audience's eyes." In front of you now are a group of ordinary high school students, telling the same story that has been told to millions through the same characters and music that have been played by thousands. It's something that can only be called magical, and we are very exceedingly excited to be able to share that with you today.
To God alone be the glory,
Justin Liepert - Director
jliepert@wlavikings.org
