It has made Woodrow Wilson High School legendary throughout the City. Hundreds of people participate, pouring their hearts, sweat and hours into it. Thousands come to watch.
The school’s annual musical, now in its 40th year, is the feather in Woodrow’s cap.
Woodrow is preparing to dazzle our community March 6-9 with “Crazy for You.” Anything less than a remarkable performance on stage would be unusual, says parent Maggie Felicetti.
Programs such as the musical publicize the good things that are happening at Woodrow, says musical director Marca Lee Bircher, who heads the school’s choir department.
Many students at Woodrow are remarkable in their ability to juggle the fine arts, athletics and other clubs while maintaining high grades in their classes, Bircher says.
About 125 students are participating in this year’s production, and they have been rehearsing nightly and on weekends since Jan. 6, Bircher says. About 75 parents have been volunteering their time selling tickets, sewing costumes, making props and building sets.
Woodrow receives no funding from the Dallas public school district for the musical, so Bircher directs efforts to raise about $30,000 to stage the show, she says. The money comes from business and individual donations, ads sold in the musical’s programs, ticket sales and funds raised at choir performances throughout the year, she says.
The show is a massive community effort, says Felicetti, whose daughter plays a showgirl this year in “Crazy for You.” Felicetti saw her first musical when her daughter was attending Stonewall Jackson Elementary seven years ago.
“The first Woodrow musical I went to, my daughter dragged me to,” Felicetti says. “I thought: ‘Oh, a high school musical, how terrible.’”
“But I was amazed at what they did. It’s an incredibly professional performance. A lot of the Woodrow kids go on with performing arts scholarships to colleges.”
More than 2,000 people attend Woodrow’s musical each year, says Chris Clore, a parent in charge of ticket sales. Reserved seats cost $7 in advance and $8 at the door. General admission costs $6 in advance and $7 at the door.
“Crazy for You” is known for its music, written by George and Ira Gershwin, including such tunes as “I Got Rhythm,” “Someone to Watch Over Me” and “Bidin’ My Time.” The story, set in the 1930s, is about a New York man who goes to Nevada to repossess a theater for his wealthy family, which is in the banking business. There, he falls in love and decides to save the theater by putting on an extravagant show.
Patricia Hardman, a Woodrow theater arts teacher, is choreographing the performance. This is her 20th Woodrow musical, and Bircher’s 22nd musical.
Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday in the school’s auditorium, 100 S. Glasgow. A reunion reception celebrating the musical’s 40th year will be held after the Sunday matinee for all Woodrow alumni who have performed in a school musical.
For tickets, call Chris Clore at 214-823-8663.
News & Notes
Magnet Schools Accepting Applications: The Dallas public school district is accepting applications for its magnet school programs through May 8. Interested students should turn their applications in immediately for the best chances of admission since these programs fill up quickly, school officials say. Applications are available from neighborhood school counselors or from the magnet school office at 401 N. Carroll. Call 214-989-5650.
ELEMENTARY
Zaragoza Musicians Need Help Funding Trip to San Antonio: A 12-student keyboard orchestra from Zaragoza Elementary, 4550 Worth, has been chosen to perform for the Texas Music Educators Association Feb. 13 at the River Walk in San Antonio. The trip, however, is expensive, says Zaragoza piano teacher Tobizena Williams. Williams needs to collect $3,500 to be able to take the students, she says. Zaragoza has been offering electronic piano as part of its music program since 1990. Williams founded the program, which is one of 10 offered in Dallas public schools, she says. To make a donation, call the school at 214-841-5260.
Students Make Stained Glass Windows for Lakewood’s Lobby: Fourth, fifth and sixth graders at Lakewood Elementary, 3000 Hillbrook, recently designed and created stained glass windows, which were permanently installed in the school’s lobby. The project was directed by visiting glass artist Mary Lynn Devereux as part of the school’s “Artist-in-Residence” program, which brings volunteer artists into the classroom to teach their medium to students. For information about the program, call the school at 214-841-5250.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Long Gives Tour to Sixth Graders: J.L. Long Middle School, 6116 Reiger, will hold an orientation for sixth grade students and their parents from 7-9 p.m. Feb. 3. A tour of Long will be given, and information about Long’s programs will be presented. Call the school at 214-841-5270 or Tammy Vines at 214-823-8374 for information.
Long Reaches Finals in Science Bowl: For the first time, a team of students at Long Middle School advanced to the finals of the Science Bowl Competition at the Winston School. The team placed third overall. Team members were Blake Wilson, Ty Halasz, Ed Cloutman and Ben Wright. Since three of the four members are seventh graders, Long hopes for an even better showing next year, says science teacher Armelia King. A second team – comprised of Jane Lilly, Jimmy Miller, Danielle Moreno and Becky Odeski – qualified for the competition, but lost in preliminary rounds. Students had to pass a written test to qualify.
HIGH SCHOOL
Rotary Club Donates $3,000 to Woodrow: The Park Cities Rotary Club recently donated $3,000 to Woodrow Wilson High School to buy science equipment. Moody Alexander, a member of the club, attends the monthly meetings of Woodrow’s School Centered Education Council and heads Rotary projects to help the school. Earlier this school year, Alexander presented Woodrow’s library with a six-volume set of encyclopedias on Texas.
PRIVATE SCHOOL
Lakehill Accepting Kindergarten Applications: Lakehill Preparatory School, 2720 Hillside, is accepting applications for its 1997-98 kindergarten class through Feb. 13. Children must turn five years old by Sept. 1 to qualify for admission. Call Dianne Harris at 214-826-2931 for information.