PART ONE: Lincoln High School’s Schoolhouse Rock Live! Cast Q&A

Lincoln High School will present the musical, Schoolhouse Rock Live! on April 12-14 in the high school auditorium, at 501 Crescent Avenue, Ellwood City (information about the show and how to get tickets can be found at the end of this article).

The production features a cast and crew of high school students and is directed by Rick Hudson.

We caught up with some of the leads in the show for a cast Q&A. Today’s Q&A is part one in a three-part series about Schoolhouse Rock Live!  Featured tomorrow will be PART TWO, and part three will be a review of the show.

Eric Woodend

Part in Musical: George

Current Grade: Tenth

Been in musicals/plays since: 4 Previous musicals with the school

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: Last year’s Godspell I played Telly

Favorite Song in this musical: Suffering Till Suffrage

What interested you in this role: Being able to perform in a musical

What is an iconic prop in the musical: It’s not really a prop but the capital building for “I’m just a Bill”

What’s the hardest part about your role: A song a song known as “A victim of gravity”

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: How a Bill becomes a law

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: I think it’ll be a great Blast from the past for the audience and be a great show to enjoy and watch

If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why: Beetlejuice From Beetlejuice as his character has always been enjoyable for me and I love the way he is portrayed

What other activities are you involved in: Band and Choir

Chase Ramsey

Part in Musical: Tom

Current Grade: 11th

Been in musicals/plays since: I have been in musicals since 7th grade.

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: I have been in Shrek, The Addams Family, Willy Wonka, Godspell. All of them being at Lincoln High.

Favorite Song in this musical: My favorite song in this musical is I’m Just A Bill.

What interested you in this role: Well after high school I want to become a teacher so, when I got casted as Tom I was ecstatic since he is a teacher.

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: Well I get to throw a large rubber rat across the stage and it makes for a very funny scene.

What’s the hardest part about your role: I would say the hardest part of my role is that I have to begin the show. I have to set the tone for the rest of the show.

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: Tom has taught me that it is ok to be nervous and that stepping out if your comfort zone is ok.

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: I think the audience will like the fun we have on stage and I think they will really get into it since we are enjoying ourselves.

What is unique about this musical: Well that there is no fourth wall. Meaning we know that there is an audience, and we can interact with them. It makes acting a lot easier when we have an entire audience to act with.

If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why: I would play Evan Hansen in Dear Evan Hansen strictly based on the wonderful songs that are in the musical.

What other activities are you involved in: I also play Tennis for Lincoln and I enjoy working at my church in the kids ministry.

Future plans: My future plans are to attend Geneva College and study Early Childhood Education.

Anything else you would like to add: I would just like to add that I am so proud of the cast we have. I am so lucky to have this great group of highly talented cast mates.

Arianna Salvucci

Part in Musical: I am in the chorus.

Current Grade: 11th grade

Been in musicals/plays since: This is my 5th musical

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: I was in Mary Poppins: kids chorus, I was the puritan ancestor in the Addams Family and I was in the ensemble for Godspell.

Favorite Song in this musical: My favorite song is Suffering Till Suffrage because it is all about women getting the right to vote and it is a very powerful song.

What interested you in this role: I’m interested because I get to play different characters within each song.

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: Something unique about my costume this year is that it is normal street clothes.

What’s the hardest part about your role: The hardest part about my role is to remember to interact with the audience during scenes.

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: I think the audience will enjoy the songs because they will bring back childhood memories.

What is unique about this musical: The set doesn’t really change but it is easy to see what the scene is about.

If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why: I would want to be Elphaba from Wicked because I love the character and I would love to fly in Defying Gravity.

What other activities are you involved in: I am involved in Tennis, Girl Scouts, NHS, Little Angels Softball, Concert Choir, EC3, and Choral Capers.

Future plans: I am planning to go to college for Early Education and become a teacher.

Don’t Miss the Show!:

• Friday April 12 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday April 13 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday April 14 2:00 p.m. *MATINEE

There are to ways to get your tickets. They are available for $12 by clicking HERE. You can also purchase them right at the door. Lincoln High School is located at 501 Crescent Avenue, Ellwood City, PA 16117. If you have questions, you can contact Schoolhouse Rock Live! HOTLINE at 724-971-1985 or email the producer at vhudspath@ecasdk12.org.

Schoolhouse Rock Live! is presented through special arrangement with MUSICAL THEATRE INTERNATIONAL

Stay tuned to Ellwoodcity.org for more coverage of Schoolhouse Rock Live!