by Monica Brewer

The reviews are in.  With all the hard work involved with the production of “The Hobbit” for this year, the show was a success.

Being shown on Friday Nov. 7, Saturday, Nov. 8, and Sunday, Nov.9, “The Hobbit” was entertaining to audience members of all ages with students acting to their best ability for them.  From behinds the scenes to front and center on stage, the journey the cast had from just learning their lines to opening night turned out to be successful.

It was at the end of August that this play started to form.  Students were expected to audition, and were also picked by their physical attributes for which character they would be to make the characters more believable.  From then on, students were expected to have their lines memorized, their costumes in top condition, and to act their best for this year’s production.

Every cast member said that they have a favorite part for this production.  Freshman Jazmine Blevins (who played Dori) said her favorite part of “The Hobbit” was “being with everyone.”  Senior Ben Parker’s favorite part of this production was that he got to play Gandalf.  Sophomore Bryn Blanchette (who played Elven Queen and the voice of Smaug)’s favorite part was what happened backstage.  Senior Hannah McLean (who was Bilbo Baggins) said her favorite part was being the star in a book series she adores.

“The Hobbit” was the first play for drama teacher Matthew Smith to use special effects and stage combat, choreographed by Katie Kull.  All three showings went well, with the audience laughing and cheering along with the actors.

Acting in plays also means that the actors have their final curtain call.  Cast members have a part that they’ll miss about being in fall productions.  Parker will miss “having something to do ‘til 10 p.m.”  Blevins will miss “being with everyone” and is “proud of everyone who put the work into the production to make it amazing.”

The 2014-2015 musical has been chosen for this year.  Letters were posted on the wall and students had to figure it out, word scramble style.  More letters were up than needed.  After 15 minutes, eventually someone figured it out.  The musical that the music department is doing this year is Willy Wonka.

Choir teacher Jennifer Gaesser said that the reason why she and band teacher Jarrod O’Donnell chose Willy Wonka for the musical was because “Mr. O liked the show and it had the number of characters needed.”  The Trojan Guard did a Willy Wonka themed show in 2012-2013 school year.