The Magic Must Go On

Nicole Harbour

The house lights begin to dim, blanketing the auditorium in a gentle darkness and breathing life into the stage and the actors waiting in the wings. The familiar sounds of the pit orchestra fill the air and transport me to the world of theater, a world I haven't visited in two years. Sitting in Glenwood High School's auditorium, I remember my first musical and the heart-pounding anticipation I'd always felt before I stepped onto the stage. I remember the dancing, the blinding lights, the makeup, and most of all, I remember the magic. As the curtains went up and the stage lights come on, as the music begins and the spotlight centers on the cast, the same magic I'd felt begins to return, transforming a cast of high school students into a family and reality into a world of music and make-believe.

As I watched Glenwood's dress rehearsal for this year's spring musical "Pippin," I became even more immersed in the world of musical magic. I yearned to be on the stage performing, wearing the flashy costumes and dancing. Suddenly, my friend, Jessica Wilson, tiptoed towards me and laid her hand on my shoulder. She snapped me back to reality. Adorned in a flashy, sequined gown, Jessie leaned over my shoulder and whispered, "Nikki, President Bush has just addressed the nation; we are beginning to attack Iraq." She didn't have to say we were going to war; I already knew. The message that haunts me to this day was shattering the magical world I had just inhabited, and in its place, I was left with a painful reality. I rose and left the auditorium, following her down the silent and somber after-school corridors to the chorus room. I had a feeling that what I was to find in this room was going to be very important. Upon entering, I knew my feeling had been right.

Huddled on risers around the room, clusters of three or four students watched a small television in stunned silence as explosions ravaged the small, outlying cities of Iraq. Their bright costumes and stage makeup couldn't hide the sadness, confusion, fear, and anger they projected as they witnessed the beginning of war, and I couldn't hide the pain and awe I felt as I watched them.

But the magic of a musical is capable of uniting actors and allowing them to cast their troubles aside. As a cast member ran into the chorus room and cued several others for their next scene, I was reminded of this fact even more. The small clusters of students united into a whole as they scurried toward the stage, and determination dominated their faces. In the play's main song, "Magic to Do," the actors join in singing:

We've got magic to do - just for you
We've got miracle plays to play
We've got parts to perform. ...

These students shared in that magic. And nothing, not even a war, was going to stop their show.

"Pippin," a musical written by Roger O. Hirston with lyrics and music composed by Stephen Schwartz, is based on the life of Pippin, son of the Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne. On a quest for complete fulfillment, Pippin goes through war, murder, politics, and love, attempting to find his life's true calling and direction - being tempted and seduced by an actor called the Lead Player along the way. Settling down with Catherine, a kind widow with a young son, Pippin discovers his fear of commitment. But after nearly committing suicide under the instruction of the Lead Player, he realizes he is happy with the simple life. Although this musical centered on ancient Rome was written in the 1970s, it certainly retains its retro influences, as is evident in the costumes and themes of the musical. A more modern musical, "Pippin" allowed Glenwood director Laurie O'Brien and Glenwood students to try something new and become more exposed to different types of musicals, and from the various conversations I had with cast members, the general consensus was that they really liked it!

As a journalism student who wasn't actually in the play, I found the easiest way for me to speak with cast members was by journeying to the makeup room and interviewing them while they frantically searched for base, liberally applied lipstick, got their hair curled, and sometimes even allowed me to help them get ready. Although the makeup room was a flurry of activity, it was the place where the students seemed to be the most relaxed and natural, and this really allowed me to get to know the actors and actresses behind the characters of "Pippin."

I caught up with Zach Forbes, a Glenwood junior, while he was getting his hair curled the second night of dress rehearsal. Having acted in many Glenwood and Muni productions, Zach was cast as Pippin. And, naturally, I had a few questions I had to ask him. While allowing a fellow cast member to curl his hair, Zach was very pleasant and willing to talk to me. What I discovered was that he is very humble and definitely a team player. Having a lead role allowed him more chances to really interact with other people onstage and to get into the show more. Although a lead generally has more pressure than other supporting roles in the show, the hardest part for Zach was not really pressure or nerves but the number of lines he had to learn in a limited amount of time.

"I had to learn my lines in two trips to Rockford and back," he said with a laugh. " It was hard!" Leadership is another characteristic that seems to come along with the role of a lead. Zach said he likes leadership because it allows him to bond more with other cast members, and as a lead this year, he has definitely been depended on more.

"I feel I have more of a leadership role," he said. "People seem to be coming to me with questions more now than they have before, but it hasn't been harder."

In rehearsal and opening night, Zach practiced his leadership, giving very inspiring and motivating performances. His vocals were wonderful, clear, and strong, and his acting was superb. Zach remained poised and dedicated to his character, helping to make "Pippin" a very memorable Glenwood musical!

Kellen Fant is another junior whose awesome performance helped to make "Pippin" the wonderful musical it came to be. The Leading Player in "Pippin," Kellen ran into me in the makeup room while he was working on his stage makeup. He was pretty open about his experiences this year in the musical, and he definitely made the interviewing process fun and interesting! Having been in several Glenwood productions, Kellen is not a stranger to the stage. He loves to play in the jazz band and sing in jazz choir, and this year, Kellen had several reasons for trying out for the musical.

"Pretty much, it was just something to do," he said. "Singing stuff - it's cool! You can quote me on that!"

The Leading Player, Kellen's character acts as the devil, wearing a white, sequined jumpsuit while tempting and seducing Pippin throughout the entire musical. Kellen gave a very poised and relaxed performance, and his strong vocals lent themselves to his character. He really put everything he has into his character, and it definitely showed. So what was Kellen's favorite part of the musical?

"The hat and cane dance," he replied. "Oh, and the costumes are great! That white jumpsuit is amazing! I'm thinking about asking Nancy [one of the costume ladies] if I can buy it!"

For Jessie Wilson, a senior this year, this musical experience has been one of her favorites. In her last high school musical, Jessie plays Fastrada, Pippin's cunning and manipulating stepmother. Having been in every musical throughout her high school career, Jessie tried out for "Pippin" because she "loves the music and being a part of it all." Jessie also liked the fact that the cast was smaller this year.

"I've had a lot of fun with a smaller cast," she said. "All of the leads get along really well, and there's awesome music."

Jessie had a lot of fun with her character as well. Her strong acting skills and the high amount of energy she put into her performances really allowed Fastrada to act as a memorable character.

"Fastrada is very fake and untrustworthy - constantly flirting with anything that moves - deceiving everyone and loving it. She's a lot of fun to play!" Jessie explained with a laugh.

Rachel Hoffman enjoyed participating in "Pippin" as well. A freshman, this was Rachel's first musical at Glenwood, but it was one she definitely enjoyed. A featured dancer, Rachel's favorite part of the musical revolved around the people that were in it with her.

"I really liked meeting new people and hanging out with old friends," Rachel said. Seeing director Laurie O'Brien coming down the hall, she added, "And - of course - Mrs. O'Brien!"

If there was anything that Rachel didn't especially like about the musical, it was the long hours of practice. But "it's worth it," she said emphatically. As to whether or not she would do another musical, "of course I would do it again!"

My experiences with the cast of "Pippin" definitely gave me a different point of view as I watched them opening night. The energy they all had was wonderful, and the fact I spent some time with them really allowed me to see them both as actors, and as teenagers and young adults who can be serious but know how to have fun. Having seen them right after President Bush addressed the nation the night before, I was able to see how the events of the world really affected them, but I was also there to see them as they turned their eyes away from the television prepared to go onstage. There may have been tragedy in the world around them, but for the cast and crew of "Pippin," there was definitely some magic to do.