Students excited about musical production

May 6, 2005

CASEY RESSLER/Frontiersman Valley Life Editor

Cast members of Wasilla High School's "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" productions are finding out that musicals demand the most from actors.

Combining acting, singing and dancing is a tall order to fill, but many of the first-time actors in the production are finding out they truly enjoy being on stage. Now, if they could just get some dancing lessons.

"If you've ever seen a monkey stealing hub caps off a moving vehicle, which I haven't, but I'd guess it looks pretty funny, well, that's how good I can dance," said Robert Combs, a senior.

Kaela Larson, a freshman with extensive Valley Performing Arts credits, agreed that dancing is the hardest part of the production.

"I can't dance. I've got terminal 'white girl syndrome,'" Larson said. "I was raised in VPA, but I can't get the dancing down."

For junior Karen Rosevear, dancing wasn't the problem. She has danced for years at Ray's.

"The hardest part for me was learning the singing," Rosevear said.

All three said the cast has put in a lot of hard work since auditions in February. It's Wasilla High School's first major production in two years (see related story), and they said a lot of credit goes to director Larry Bottjen.

"Without Larry, certainly none of this would have been possible," Combs said. "And Deb Haynes (the choreographer), and Mrs. Easton (the musical director) and every other teacher and adult who has helped us."

Larson said Bottjen has turned a group of relative novices into a seasoned cast in just a few short months.

"He pushes everyone to be better," Larson said. "He has made the difference for us."

Many of the students are hoping their performances merit another - that after a two-year layoff, more major productions will be take place at the school.

"There are posters all over the school and everyone is excited about it," Larson said. "It would be nice to see that continue, even when this one is over."