Old-fashioned musical to be performed by high school students
Published 10:00 am Saturday, November 14, 2015
Heather Wirkus consoles brides, from right, Cali Mowers, Tianna Abrego, Jessica Weiland, Kendra Manges, Justine Nelson and Camryn Keyeski in “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.” Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune
On old-style musical will come to the Albert Lea High School stage starting on Thursday with the production of “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.”
A cast and crew of more than 50 students will present the musical of Milly, a young bride who marries Adam, played by junior Travis Nemec, the oldest of seven brothers living in the Oregon woods in the 1850s.
Milly, played by junior Heather Wirkus, plans to civilize and marry off her six rowdy brothers-in-law to ensure the success of her own marriage when this backfires, and the brothers, in their enthusiasm, kidnap six women from a neighboring town to be their brides.
Suitors Jens Lange, Aaron Zogg and Brayden Boettcher perform at the school on Tuesday. – Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune
Director Diane Heaney said the school hasn’t done an old-style show for a long time. It is based on the Academy Award-winning musical film from the 1950s with the same name starring Howard Keel and Jane Powell.
Heaney is being assisted by co-director and 2008 ALHS graduate Ross Pirsig. Pirsig, who is now an English language teacher at the school, was active in the theater when he was in high school and was in several plays, including “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and “South Pacific,” along with others at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center. He will be a part of “Dylan Kaercher’s Lights, Camera, Christmas” in December at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center with actor and director Dylan Kaercher.
Heaney said “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” includes choreography from choreographer Joey Miller from the Twin Cities for a few scenes.
The students started practicing in September and have worked their way up to where they are adding more and more into their practices each day.
Heaney said the large cast and crew has allowed many to be involved and get a taste of theater.
“Everybody gets along so well,” Pirsig said. “Everybody’s respectful and supportive.”
Heaney and Pirsig credited geography teacher Erin Losinski for heading up much of the work on the sets, along with Kaercher.
The brothers kidnap the brides in “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.” – Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune
Student Brayden Boettcher, one of the suitors in the musical, encouraged people to attend.
“Musicals are one of the best things this high school has,” Boettcher said.
He said the cast has been working hard to prepare themselves.
The students will present a matinee on Wednesday for seniors and fifth-graders from the district, with the presentations for the general public beginning on Thursday.
Cast list
The Brothers
Adam: Travis Nemec
Gideon: Josh Englin
Benjamin: Logan Petersen
Caleb: Ryan Nelson
Daniel: Sam Ehrhardt
Ephraim: Jack Buendorf
Frank: Schafer Overgaard
The Brides
Milly: Heather Wirkus
Alice: Tianna Abrego
Dorcas: Jessica Weiland
Ruth: Kendra Manges
Liza: Justine Nelson
Martha: Camryn Keyeski
Sarah: Cali Mowers
The Town Suitors
Jeb: Aaron Zogg
Nathan: Noah Iverson
Luke: Brayden Boettcher
Matt: Alec Wendelboe
Joel: William Kreun
Zeke: Jens Lange
Mr. Hoallum: Sam Ellis
Mrs. Hoallum: Natalie Weiland
Mr. Sander: Kyle Nelson
Mrs. Sander: Emily Wangen
Preacher: Simon Knettig
Townspeople: Cain Quickstad, Alexis Tasker, Waytt Reed, Flora Marko Amponsah, Matt Edwards, Maddie Willey, Dane Duenes, Natalie Day, Ashlee Webbee, Audrey Laite, Bethany Tennis, Liana Schallock, Maddie Schei
Stage Manager: Raelin Bizjak
Tech Crew: Carson McGivern, Charley Fleek, Nathan Reichl, Sawyer Nelson, Jake Ware, Logan Alfson, Jazmyn Sellner
Pit Orchestra: Grace Chalmers, Gigi Otten, Rachel Wangen, Terri Wolfe, Morgan Philips, Darin Guildner, Kylie Brown, Kyle Neidermeier, Sam Ware, Michal Hanson, Vern Frydenlund, Abby Sencio, Kayla Overland, Diane Heaney
