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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Education Notebook: ‘Fiddler’ onstage at Mt. Spokane

Kelsey Bryceson, as Chava, pleads with her father, Tevye, played by Chris Hansen, to marry a Russian in the Mt. Spokane High School theater department’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof.”

The Mt. Spokane High School Theatre Department will perform the classic musical “Fiddler on the Roof,” a tale of a father’s love for his family and his attempt to maintain their Jewish traditions among severe oppression and changing times.

The musical is set in the small village of Anatevka, and Tevye, a milkman, must cope with his strong-willed daughters while instilling the importance of tradition in their Jewish community during the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia. The powerful story is told with wit and humor by Mt. Spokane’s drama students. It is a tale that has also become important to its cast. Ashley Wilhelm as Hodel said “It is hard not to respect this show. Being in such an iconic show has been really amazing because everyone realizes how much potential this show has.”

MSHS Theatre director H. James Brown said “I first directed ‘Fiddler on the Roof” in l976 when I taught theater at Ferris High School. It still has the same magic and wonder as it did over 30 years ago. It is a joy to see these students developing into these wonderfully vivid characters!”

Other cast members include Chris Hansen as Tevye; Nicki Niles as Golde; Anika Bryceson as Tzeitel; Kelsey Bryceson, as Chava; Summer Scott as Shprintze; Lexi Jose as Bielke; Richelle McDermott as Yente, the Matchmaker; Austin Sessoms as Motel the Tailor; Travis Widmer as Perchik; and Sam Stewart as Lazar Wolf the butcher.

The performance begins Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Theatre. Other performances include March 3 and March 9 through March 12 at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $6 for adults and $5 for students and may be purchased at the Theatre Office at (509) 465-7385 in the Business Office at (509) 465-7206 or in the main school office at (509) 465-7201.

LC Mardi Gras

The Lewis and Clark High School Booster Club will bring the annual celebration of Mardi Gras to LCHS to raise funds for student athletic activities and have a ball at the “Tigers at Mardi Gras” dance and auction on Saturday.

From 7 to 11 p.m., partygoers can enjoy live music by the Cronkites, eat food catered by Jane Harper, dance and bid on gift baskets in a silent auction. The celebration will be held at the Southside Senior Activity Center, 3151 E. 27th Ave.

Tickets are $20 per person and may be purchased at www.lcboosters.com or at the door.

eye4art on March 5

Teachers and students in the Mead School District, along with local artists, will share their artistic talent in the sixth annual “eye4art” on March 5, from noon to 5 p.m. at Mead High School.

The event will feature more than 200 pieces, including paintings, sculptures and unique art jewelry, from local artists, such as Harold Balazs, Ned Fox, Patty Osbold and Gordon Wilson, as well as Mead’s teachers and students. Visitors of the art fair may purchase the works and enjoy music from the Mead School District orchestras, jazz bands and choirs. Hors d’oeuvres will also be served.

Proceeds from ticket sales, along with 25 percent of art sales, directly benefit the Mead Education Foundation, a volunteer organization that provides continued support for the teachers, staff and students of Mead School District.

According to a press release from the Mead Education Foundation, Mead School District Superintendent Tom Rockefeller said the foundation continues to play an important role in Mead schools. “Both students and staff have greatly benefited from the additional technology, instructional materials and student activity support that the Mead Education Foundation has provided above and beyond basic funding,” he said.

Tickets are $10 per person or $25 per family and may be purchased by calling (509) 465-6032 or at the door.

For more information about the Foundation visit www.meadeducation foundation.org.

‘Hairspray’ at LC

Lewis and Clark High School drama department will present “Hairspray!,” beginning tonight in the LCHS Auditorium at 7 p.m. The show continues Friday and Saturday and March 3 through March 5 at 7 p.m.

The LC cast will take audience members back to 1962, where Tracy Turnblad, played by Shadey Dickinson, lives her dream of dancing on “The Corny Collins Show.” Tracy becomes an instant star and catches the eye of teen dream, Link Larkin, played by Teddy Brow. But, it turns out that the show’s producer is scheming against her and Tracy will need the help of her best friend, Penny Pingleton, played by Madisson Clarry, her mother, Edna Turnblad, played by Troy Nickerson, and Motormouth Maybelle, played by Keyonna Knight, to show everyone that all it takes to make her dream come true is a “toe-tappin’ beat and a lot of Hairspray!”

Other cast members include Jon O’Grady, as Corny Collins; Liz Connelly, as Velma VonTussle; Kaitlin Webster, as Amber VonTussle; and Thomas Heppler, as Wilber Turnblad.

Tickets are $10 per person and may be purchased at the door.

Student preview day

St. George’s Middle School is looking ahead to the 2011-’12 school year.

On Wednesday, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., students living in the Spokane area, headed into the sixth, seventh or eighth grade will be invited to St. George’s Preview Day.

Students will be a “Dragon for Day” and participate in a number of activities, along with a chance to explore the opportunities for St. George’s students. Current students will host visitors and lunch will be provided.

To reserve a space and for more information call (509) 466-1636, ext. 304 or e-mail debbie.duvoisin@sgs.org.

Rainey Coffin can be reached at (509) 927-2166 or via e-mail at raineyc@spokesman.com.