TCHS introduces ‘Sound of Music’ to new generation
By Kayleigh Rahn
Much like raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, the TCHS production of “The Sound of Music” has been added to the list of a few of my favorite things.
The 2018 Tuscola Community High School spring musical successfully introduced a favorite classic to a new generation of theater fans.
Seniors Sydney Hoel, Connor Baer, and Jacob Craddock are no strangers to the Tuscola drama faithful. They’ve dedicated countless hours to the program during their four years at TCHS. They’ve matured into consistent leaders on stage, and they will be missed looking forward.
However, once again, the drama department will reload with both talent and dedication.
New face Adaira Beatty introduced her self to Tuscola drama fans in fantastic light as the slightly self-absorbed Elsa Schrader, a baroness hoping to land the captain as her husband. Beatty’s poise and confidence on stage will lend itself well for future school shows. Beatty, in many scenes, played opposite Craddock’s Max Detwiller, a sophisticated man whose loyalty to the Captain proved his character worthy. Craddock’s timing created light moments against a heavy theme in pre-war Austria.
The Craddock, Baer, and Beatty ensembles were delightful in every sense, and Beatty proved she can help lead the crew looking ahead.
A duet between Abbey Jacob (Mother Abess) and Hoel (Maria) showed the underclassman will be a delight to see carry the torch in future musicals. Jacob’s soprano matched Hoel’s as the mother encouraged Maria to explore what life waits for her outside the Abbey walls.
“The Sound of Music” proved there is truly talent district-wide in Tuscola schools as teachers down to a kindergartner had a hand in the production.
The children in the cast who portrayed the youngest von Trapp siblings (Thomas Spillman, Addi Fowler, Chloe Fowler, and Julianne Steffens in Cast A and Brady Urban, Lanie Yantis, Mia Vitale, and Lily Yantis in Cast B) held their place on stage alongside the eldest siblings and theater favorites Katie Smith, JD Barrett, and Anna Spillman.
Smith (Liesl) and Paul Nau (Rolf) gave their secondary romance weight as the story became heavier as the Nazi occupation of Austria settled.
The full story can be found in the Wednesday, March 14 edition of The Tuscola Journal.