One Nation, Under God

MHS and MMS students perform The Wind in the Willows

A musical was put on Monday and Tuesday, November 29 and 30, by Malta High School and Middle School drama students.

An online description of this musical reads as follows: The tranquility of a summer's picnic along the riverbank is shattered by the incorrigible Toad. His friends, the winsome Mole and the stalwart Rat coughing in his dusty wake, but determined to reform him. Toad's bumpy path takes him to the Wide World, where he is arrested, put on trial, and sent to prison. Although he manages to escape disguised as a Washerwoman, he falls into the clutches of ruthless thieves. While searching for Toad, Mole and Rat become lost in the Wild Woods. Saved by the stern but forgiving Badger, the three animals rescue Toad from the Thieves in the rousing conclusion. The charm of the story and the love the animals share for their world is underscored by delightful songs. Audience participation is encouraged throughout the show.

What isn't covered in the online description is the wonderful interaction between the Malta high school actors and the middle school actors.

A case in point is the show-stealing scene between Toad, played by Sabra Sims, a sixth-grader, and the Judge, played by senior Emma Harms. The comedic interaction between these two, with Harms playing the straight man teeing up the laughs, and Sims hitting them out of the park received the biggest reactions of the night.

The set that was built was simple, yet versatile. Portraying a riverbank, woodland, wide-open road, and courtroom with very simple and quick changes.

All of the parts were played very well and the stagehands and lighting director did a wonderful job of getting the next scene set up quickly.

Play director Mrs. LaBrie said, "We had a great crowd both nights. It was interesting to see each crowd react to different scenes. Overall things went very well. We had a couple of hiccups each night, but they worked through them. I'm very pleased with how everything came together."

Toad was played by Sabra Sims (sixth grade), Rat by Jade Darrington (12th grade), Mole by Courtney Merriman (sixth grade), Badger by Emily Rettinger (12th grade), Judge by Emma Harms (12th grade), Washerwoman by Hailee Loven (11th grade), Engineer by Brittalia Drabbles (sixth grade), and the Thieves by Taya Wilke (sixth grade) and Kyle Mayer (eighth grade).

The light director was Izzie Hallenberg (11th grade), and the two stagehands were Scarlet Winkel (12th grade) and Colton Dean (11th grade).

The musical accompaniment was provided by Mrs. Murdock.

 

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