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COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL April 15, 2015 9A Cottage Theatre hits all-time high with Les Misérables BY MATT HOLLANDER The Cottage Grove Sentinel I s there any production too big or challenging for the Cottage The- atre? After a successful opening of the epic Broadway musical "Les Misérables" this past weekend, the answer to that question is quite arguably ‘no.’ The show represents one of the most ambitious productions in the 33-year history of the theatre, and the excite- ment has been running high ever since its announcement last September, ex- ecutive director Susan Goes noted in the program. The cast of 33, the 16-piece orches- tra and the production crew deliver on all of those expectations and make the audience forget they are sitting in a community theater. “I think this production represents the very best of all the talent that’s avail- able to Cottage Theatre,” said director Alan Beck. “From the painters and the builders, to the technical crews and to the cast and voices; it’s as good as we are capable of doing at this moment.” Managing that amount of talent was a feat in itself. Beck said that the as- sistance of music director Larry Ken- ton and vocal director Mark VanBeever allowed for the cast to break up into groups during rehearsals and work on specifi c aspects of their roles. “Casting was the key to everything,” Beck said. “Because it’s so big, you’ve got to cast people who are self direct- ing and self correcting; people who know their business and can take care of themselves on the stage because there are so many other things to con- centrate on.” In the role of Jean Valjean, Beck cast Lanny Mitchell, a veteran of the stage but a relative newcomer to the Cottage Theatre community. While Valjean could be a bucket-list role for many performers, Mitchell had to convince himself to audition. “I wasn’t a 'Les Mis' fan because I’m a gospel singer,” said Mitchell, who fi rst appeared on the Cottage Theatre stage in "Assassins." “But then I started listening to the music, and I wanted to take on the challenge.” In "Les Misérables," Mitchell leads a talented cast of varying backgrounds and experiences, including many regu- lar Cottage Theatre performers such as Ward Fairbairn (Javert), Tracy Nygard (Fantine) and Marius (Kory Weimer). The show also received delightfully impressive performances from young actors Oceana Taylor (Little Cosette), Maia Wilhour (Young Eponine) and Owen Hovet (Gavroche). “This show could easily be regional production,” said Mitchell. “The only difference between this not being a professional show is we didn’t get paid for it. That’s it.” The challenging pace of the show — 20 scenes over two acts —required the very best coordination between cast and crew. Beck said that the fi rst tech rehearsal took six hours to complete, but, obliviously, they got it down to three hours for the show. The set, which Beck designed, is a simple yet versatile stone, façade that can be confi gured for steps, parapets or the barricade. However, there‘s more than meets the eye to this production. In several instances, the crew had to get creative with the available space — for exam- ple, staging the orchestra backstage in the Rehearsal hall. Costume designer Rhonda Turnquist produced a marvelous wardrobe, de- spite the challenge of a large cast with multiple costume changes. The production cost a bit more than a typical Cottage Theatre show, if only for the greater expense to obtain the rights, Beck explained. But the show has been selling very well, he added. Which brings us back to the origi- nal question: is there any production too big or challenging for the Cottage Theatre? “I think this is a big break through for us,” said Beck. “If we can do this, and do this well, there’s very little that we can’t consider doing.” "Les Misérables" continues at the Cottage Theatre through May 3 with Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows starting at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees start at 2:30 p.m. K INDER Continued from page 1A instructional materials can be moved from room to room for music instruction. At the District’s smaller schools, which have only one kindergarten class that is of- ten taught simultaneously with a fi rst-grade class, educators say the transition will be much easier, logistically. Such is the case at London School, where Mina Christianson’s K-1 class will soon host kindergarteners for the entire day. Christianson said that, aside from the need for more educational assistants at various times, the change shouldn’t be diffi cult to weath- er. Latham Principal Anne Fisk echoed that sentiment. “It’s not something that should have a big negative im- pact,” Fisk said. To the contrary, many teachers and administrators say they’re excited about the opportunities full-day kindergarten can pro- vide. “It’s a beautiful thing,” Har- rison kindergarten teacher Sar- ah Parsons said. “It’s amazing when I think about how much we can get done in a half-day, and the possibilities of how much further we can go with a full day are so exciting.” Parsons pointed out that, with about 2 ½ hours of instruction time at her disposal, reading and math understandably take prec- edent and transitions and behav- ior issues sap precious instruc- tion time. But with more time, more subject matter can under- standably be considered. “There should be more time for science and social studies,” Parsons said. Educators also believe that having kindergarten students at school all day will foster a greater sense of connectedness to the rest of their schools. “We’re a small school that focuses on doing things school- wide,” said London Principal Bill Bechen. “Inviting our kin- dergarteners to stay for a full day can mean those students get to be a part of a lot more of what we have to offer.” South Lane Superintendent Krista Parent said the District absolutely needs full-day kin- dergarten, due in no small part to the disparity of experience kids get before school age. (Les- ter pointed out that about 60 percent of incoming kindergar- teners have had no experience with outside daycare options, let alone any form of schooling.) “So many of our kids are showing up to kindergarten without a lot of experience,” Parent said. “Our kindergarten readiness scores are absolutely awful — there’s such a range between students who can’t rec- ognize one letter and the few who show up reading already. There are all kinds of pluses to making school a richer experi- ence for our kids.” Parents of incoming kin- dergarteners have shared their concerns, and some have said they weren’t appreciative of the changes full-day kindergarten entails. “Parents have said that they don’t think their kids are pre- pared, that it creates problems with the schedules of their older children,” Lester said. Bohemia recently offered a question-and- answer session that was attended by about 60 sets of parents, and more such events are planned. Teachers and administrators say they’ve also been preparing for some time for the adjust- ments that need to be made to ensure the effectiveness of the school day for a brand-new kin- dergartener. “We have to think about pac- ing and the stamina of our stu- dents,” Christianson said. “Our teachers are sensitive to the need for more breaks and downtime, especially at the be- ginning of the year,” Bechen said. “Fitting in breaks as needed, providing time for movement — these are going to be espe- cially important,” said Harrison kindergarten teacher Stephanie Black. Funding for full-day kinder- garten is also a high-profi le consideration at present. In late March, Tina Kotek, Speaker of the Oregon House of Represen- tatives, congratulated lawmak- ers on passing a biennium bud- get of $7.255 billion that “will provide stability for most school districts while also funding full- day kindergarten for children throughout Oregon for the fi rst time in state history.” South Lane Superintendent Krista Parent stated, though, that the District anticipates a cost of about $350,000 to im- plement full-day kindergarten, adding that the $7.255 billion State School Fund fi gure of- fered by legislators will actually leave South Lane with about a $700,000 budget shortfall for the biennium. Still, Parent said the District will “be okay” even if such cuts are necessary. And, as teachers point out, the sacri- fi ces should be worth it. “The most important thing is that we will be able to consider the whole child,” Parsons said. “We’ll be closer to meeting all their needs, including social and emotional needs in addition to those of academia.” Notice of Director Vacancy: Row River District (Appointment to Board of Directors) A vacancy will occur on Lane Electric Cooperative’s board of directors for a position representing the utility’s Row River District. The early retirement of the incumbent director that served in the position caused the vacancy. Lane Electric’s board of directors will appoint a member/consumer to serve the remaining portion RI WKH WHUP RI RI¿FH IRU WKH GHSDUWHG GLUHFWRU 7KH ERDUG RI GLUHFWRUV LV FXUUHQWO\ accepting applications from members interested in being appointed to the position. The member appointed to the position will be eligible to seek election to a full three- \HDU WHUP ZKHQ WKH FXUUHQW WHUP RI RI¿FH H[SLUHV DIWHU /DQH (OHFWULF¶V $QQXDO 0HHWLQJ $SULO 0D\ RU -XQH Members interested in being appointed to the position should have an interest in their communities and feel a civic responsibility to their neighbors. Directors have the same basic duties as other public and private corporations. Primary duties will include setting policy, approving budgets, contractual considerations, hiring a general manager, and monitoring the operations of the Cooperative. Applicants must reside in the Row River District. Lane Electric members interested in being considered for appointment by WKH ERDUG RI GLUHFWRUV VKRXOG FRQWDFW /DQH (OHFWULF DW WR UHTXHVW DQ application and information packet. $SSOLFDWLRQV PXVW EH GHOLYHUHG WR /DQH (OHFWULF¶V RI¿FH QR ODWHU WKDQ )ULGD\ 0D\ DW 30 /DQH (OHFWULF &RRSHUDWLYH %DLOH\ +LOO 5RDG 32 %R[ (XJHQH 25 ZZZODQHHOHFWULFFRP DANCING WITH FARMERS London School Kindergarten Round Up Wednesday, April 22 nd 4:45 – 5:30 pm As a K-8 school, London focuses on hands on learning in a family centered environment. Come register your kindergarten student for the 2015/2016 school year. We have openings next year in our Middle School Classroom as well. Sunday, April 19 th 5:30 – 10:00 Dinner and Dancing sponsored by cgFEAST Will be held at the Cottage Grove Public Market (10 th and Washington) Dinner options include: wood fi red pizza, handmade tortillas and tacos, salad, and African vegetarian stew. First serving is donation based. Additional items are priced $2.50 to $6.00. There will be juice, soda, local beer and wine, plus dessert. Dancing to live local music from 7:00 to 10:00 Grab your partner for some swing lessons and line dancin’, then fi nish off with Polka. Enjoy a fun evening promoting our local food growers. For more information call 541-942-2360 Sustainable Cottage Grove • Meet the Staff • Enjoy Some Snacks • Tour Our Campus • Large Open Classrooms • Geodesic Art Dome • Library • Big School Garden • Computer Lab • Learn About Our: • Whole School Enrichment Activities • Mixed Aged Classrooms • Middle School Program You are welcome to stay after registration and be a part of our Title 1 Science Fair Family Night. Come see our student’s Science Fair Projects and meet our London Family! London School “Quality education in a rural community” 73288 London Road, Cottage Grove, OR 97424 Phone: 541-942-0183 Fax: 541-942-8849 http://blogs.slane.k12.or.us Bill Bechen, Principal—April Sexton, Offi ce Manager
