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 two in a three-part series about Schoolhouse Rock Live! Featured tomorrow will be part three, a review of the show and gallery of show photos. (VIEW PART 1)
Peyton Confer
Part in Musical: Dina
Current Grade: 10
Been in musicals/plays since: 7 years old
Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: I’ve been in numerous musicals, but my favorite was playing Veruca Salt in Willy Wonka at Lincoln High School when I was in 8th grade
Favorite Song in this musical: Lolly, Lolly, Lolly
What interested you in this role: I’ve loved School House Rock since I was little. My mom always had me listen to it growing up.
What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: my Elvis sunglasses
What’s the hardest part about your role: my voice has to be very strong in the song Suffering until Suffrage, but all the girls help me power through
Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: the need to be independent
What do you think the audience will like about the musical: how energetic and colorful it is
What is unique about this musical: I like the fact that it’s based off of a TV show. It doesn’t have a lot of dialogue but it has more props than any other show I’ve been in before
If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why: I would love to be the phantom in the Phantom of the Opera because I’ve always loved that show and his songs are in my range
What other activities are you involved in: band, history club, choir
Future plans: I want to become an astronomer by studying at the University of Hawaii
Anything else you would like to add: We almost didn’t have a musical at all this year so I’m very thankful to our director Rick Hudson for taking over and making the show happen. Please come and see it!
Beth Keener
Part in Musical: Dori, the happy bubbly dumb side of Tom
Current Grade: 12
Been in musicals/plays since: 6th grade
Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: the little mermaid (kids chorus), The Adam’s family (Alice Understudy), Willy Wonka and the Chocolate factory (Mrs. Beauregard), GodSpell (lead ensemble with featured song)
Favorite Song in this musical: as Rick would say, “I love Elbow Room”
What interested you in this role: I had no idea how I was going to do it at first, and that made me curious as to what kind of role it could be
What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: Heeles that appear in the second act, we use them to mimic ice skating, I never thought this musical would involve Heelies
What’s the hardest part about your role: Trying to ack like an airhead and laugh at everything, it’s very different than the other roles I’ve been in
Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: not everything needs to be serious, you can have fun and still learn
What do you think the audience will like about the musical: For some of our older audience, it should remind them of their childhood, for the younger ones, the fun colors and upbeat music
What is unique about this musical: it’s decently uncommon and yet very familiar
If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why: I would be Janice in Mean Gurls because she and I are symbiotic in the ways we fight for what’s right
What other activities are you involved in: marching band, choir, soccer indoor and outdoor
Future plans: to study marine and costal sciences at Costal Carolina University
Anything else you would like to add: I’m so grateful our Director Rick Hudson took over this year, he is an incredible person and inspiration to all of us
Calista Beth Poole (friends call me callo)
Part in Musical: ensemble/ chorus manager
Current Grade: 10
Been in musicals/plays since: 2014
Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: I’ve just been Ensemble with shows that I’ve been in but in 2020 I got casted as Tammy, which is the female version of Tom for the same show, and for high school musical the musical, I got casted as Miss Darby, but that couldn’t happen due to lack of interest.
Favorite Song in this musical: Suffrage
What interested you in this role: I’m just happy to help prop up the leads in their wonderful abilities in the background
What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: I got to choose my shirt and my pot is really fun because I get to shove it into someone!
What’s the hardest part about your role: It’s hard to sing the alto part because they’re so a few people singing it so I have to sing it loudly and correctly
Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: 30 something can start out small but if you do it great people will give you more responsibility
What do you think the audience will like about the musical: all the characters are really fun and everyone is just having fun on stage
What is unique about this musical: It feels like the kids are in charge, and I had a lot more responsibility than I have in the past
If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why: Maria from Westside story
What other activities are you involved in: I do marching band with my best friend who plays Joe. Noah (Who plays Joe) and I are trying to start a band with one of our other friends. We enjoy both playing music together.
Future plans: I would like to go to off-campus pit station in Ruffsdale and get my teaching degree
Noah Rhodes
Part in Musical: Joe
Current Grade: 9th Grade
Been in musicals/plays since: I’ve been in musicals since 2016 in Ellwood City’s production of Little Mermaid
Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: I’ve been in Musicals since Little Mermaid except for the Little Women and The Addams Family Ellwood productions
Favorite Song in this musical: My favorite songs would have to be Suffering until Suffrage or Conjunction Junction
What interested you in this role: I didn’t know I was going to get the role, but I was interested in the musical in general because I love being in the Ellwood City theater productions
What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: My favorite prop has to be my quill and parchment paper for The Preamble
What’s the hardest part about your role: The hardest part about the role of Joe is the song Rufus Xavier Sarsaparilla, it’s basically one big long tongue twister, hence the lack of pronouns in the song
Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: This role definitely taught me as an underclassman to practice and study the show you’re in
What do you think the audience will like about the musical: I think the audience will like how many 4th wall breaks there are, and how much interaction there is with the audience as a whole
What is unique about this musical: What’s unique about this musical is how much it flows and never really has any stops. In fact, we had to add an intermission into the show, as it didn’t have one! This is definitely a short and sweet one
If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why: I would have to say Beetlejuice from the musical, Beetlejuice, it’s such a comedical role and it has some of my favorite musical moments ever.
What other activities are you involved in: I’m involved in Band with my best friend, Callo, who is the Chorus Manager. We’re also trying to start a band together with our other friend!
Future plans: My future plans are to graduate College and go into a field of Biology or pursue a career in music
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!
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