FINAL DRESS, (with a standing ovation!?!)

Who woulda' thought a rehearsal of a high school musical could get a standing ovation?! Well this one did! We invited two dozen teachers for a sneak preview last night, and they all loved it.

For every GDS production we like having a small test audience at the final dress rehearsal so that the actors and stage managers can better anticipate where to "hold" for laughter and applause. At the end of the evening the teachers left the Sloan Theatre with faces beaming. No doubt they will be showering the cast and crew with compliments during classes today.

Patrons take note: The lower seating section is now sold out for all four shows!

Marion is the consummate professional, both on stage and off. As a senior, she is a leader and role model for all those aspiring actors who play the king's children. Her performance as Anna culminates a four year high school career that included Juliet in "Romeo and Juliet", Miranda in "Return to the Forbidden Planet", Yonah in "Children of Eden" and Brenda in "Smile!"

Mr. Lowell's set design for "The King and I" is very simple, yet outwardly lavish. But it's the costumes by Mrs. McCarty and friends that really make the show pop.


Here you can see the production from behind the dimmer board in the lighting booth. Madison and Niklas punch light cues that were programmed into the ETC Expressions computer console by Mr. Lowell. The golds and magentas his lighting design are meant to draw out the colors in the costumes while setting the scene in a 19th century palace.

The new 1600 watt Xenon followspots are bright enough to illuminate Marion during her schoolroom song while allowing for nice golden lighting on the children and wives.

Claire, our Stage Manager, continues the GDS tradition of calling the show from the lighting booth under the balcony. (Many theaters chose to position their stage manager backstage, but Mr. Lowell feels that this vantage point hinders the view of the bigger picture). Our ClearCom headsets allow Claire to communicate scenery movement cues via her two Assistant Stage Managers left and right of the proscenium arch.

Edwin bowls the crowd over with his endearing portrail of the king. Here he sings a solo in the glow of the powerful new Super Trouper followspots.

The king's wives dance in their European hoop skirts at the top of Act II.

"Etc..., etc..., etc...!" Marion and Edwin have developed a very appealing chemistry as Anna and the King.

A standing ovation for the curtain call at our Final Dress. For opening night tonight we will do the show exactly the same way...except for the addition of 600 of our friends and family members! Break a leg!