Where the wind goes whipping down the plain

Cara Spilsbury

March 14, 2007 11:35 am

— BOXFORD -- In early January, Masconomet Middle School teacher Jill Hasselbacher was stunned to have 60 Masconomet middle-schoolers audition for this year's musical. Rather than dash any young thespian's dreams, she decided to keep every student. Just two months later, those seventh- and eighth-graders have transformed the school's auditorium into the setting for a classic Rogers and Hammerstein musical.
The curtain goes up on their performance of "Oklahoma" on Friday and Saturday, March 23, and 24. Show times are 7:30 p.m.
"The kids have been working really hard," said Hasselbacher, who teaches acting, music and performing arts. "They're doing a great job."
At a recent rehearsal, the cast performed Act 2, saying their lines, perfecting body movements and hitting high notes. The students have become well-versed in the classic musical, with timeless songs like "Surrey with the Fringe on Top" and "Oklahoma!"
"It's a good show," said eighth-grader Alex Staub of Middleton, who plays Curly, the romantic lead. "Back in the day, it was really big, and everyone knows the songs. My grandfather loves all the songs, and when he heard I was in it, he started singing them all."
Joining Curly in many of the songs is his counterpart Laurey, played by Diana Hughes, also of Middleton. The eighth-grader, who showcases her talent with the Handel and Haydn Society in Boston, says she's enjoyed her chance to play one of the lead characters, as well as the opportunity to be a part of the production.
"It's been amazing," she said. "I've loved it. We have a really good cast, and a lot of them are my really close friends. I never dread coming to rehearsal. It's always 'Oh, cool! Play practice!' "
She admires the work of the cast, and recommends that people come see the show.
"My mom always said that when actors are having fun up there, you can tell," she said. "And when I've watched the scenes I'm not in, I can definitely see that they're having fun."
Any pre-show jitters were something the middle-schoolers had to get used to.
"It's really fun, because I'm not usually the main character," said Staub. "It's pretty powerful. I was nervous in the beginning, but I got used to it."
Even though there are only a few lead roles, the ensemble is quite a sight, with 60 actors costumed in a rainbow of period skirts and cowboy get-ups. Almost every costume was made by parent Karen Moriarty, including several changes in costume for the dancers and main characters.
"It was no small task," Hasselbacher said. "They look great."
Hasselbacher also has the help of five Masconomet Regional High School students. Melissa Jessel and Nicole Soriano choreographed, Danielle Matfess and Becky Harding are stage managers and Jack Moriarty is assistant director.
"It's been a big commitment," Hasselbacher said in recognition of her cast and crew.

Want to go?
What: Masconomet Middle School's production of "Oklahoma"
Where: Henry F. Long Auditorium, Masconomet, 23 Endicott Road, Topsfield
When: 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 23 and Saturday, March 24
How: Tickets are $10. For more information, call 978-887-2323

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