Rockbridge Academy

2008 Musical

OLIVER!

Reviewing the Situation

by Angie Brennan

The costumes are back on the hangers, the Cockney accents fading, and the lives of cast members and Oliver! volunteers have (hopefully) returned to normal.

So was it worth it? The long hours of rehearsal, the effort expended memorizing lines and choreography, and the chorus of "Oom-Pah-Pah" forever waltzing around in one's head...What is the point of Rockbridge having a drama program, anyway?

One of the school's goals is to have older students serve as role models for the younger students. Oliver! provided an opportunity to put this objective into action. Says 11th grader Stephen Horst (who played the part of Fagin), "I love working with the younger kids and helping them in their roles." Senior Colleen McKenna (Nancy) suggests that a drama program also "develops in the students at Rockbridge attention to detail, a sense of creativity, and teamwork."

But the musical presentation isn't just about character development and training; it's also about creating something beautiful for its own sake, to imitate our Creator. "I think it's a way to honor God because it's using our abilities that He gave us--like having a good voice and dancing well," said third grader Jonathan Brenninkmeyer (Oliver).

What did cast members hope the audience would come away with? Senior Hugh Mitchell (Mr. Brownlow) expressed the desire that the show would "leave the audience acutely aware of man's sinful nature and their need for a Redeemer."  Senior Tyler Antkowiak (Mr. Bumble) offered a slightly different perspective on this question; he hoped the audience would leave the show "feeling a great desire to write Rockbridge huge checks to help fund such an incredible school."

If you haven't done so already, be sure to thank the many faculty members, parents, and other volunteers who gave much time and effort to provide Rockbridge students with this wonderful opportunity to use and develop their gifts and to present a first-rate performance.

And feel free to write one of those big checks.

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