TOP STORY OF THE DAY, brought to you free by WICU: NHS drama students have first live performance in three years

For the first time in three years, Northview's Drama Department returned to the high school's stage Thursday and Friday as they participated in the school's Spring Musical production, “It’s A Musical…Revue." The show, which was directed by Tammy Emmert, Brenda Buchanan, several, along with numerous student actors, actresses and crew members, was a compilation of selections from a variety of musicals, with songs from Newsies, Annie, Into the Woods, Hamilton, Something Rotten, Dear Evan Hansen and The Greatest Showman.

Adler Ingalsbe photo

Over 40 high school students participated in Northview’s Spring Musical production, “It’s A Musical…Revue”, last Thursday and Friday in the high school’s auditorium. The show was directed by Tammy Emmert, Brenda Buchanan (Northview H.S. Choral Director), and numerous other assistant directors and volunteers. This was the first full performance in three years after the 2020 show was cancelled due to Covid-19. Many members of the community attended, in support of these hard-working students. The show was a compilation of selections from a variety of musicals, with songs from Newsies, Annie, Into the Woods, Hamilton and more. Whether working on stage or with crew, students had the opportunity to create and contribute, giving them the chance to take responsibility and personal ownership of the show.

When students were asked what they enjoyed most, senior Liam Donathan said, “The thing I enjoyed most was getting to meet new people. I had both the opportunity to meet new people and form closer bonds with the people I already knew.”

Senior Miles Haviland said, “Musicals have become an art form of pure joy to me. Participating in Northview’s musical has shown me that people can do amazing things when they love what they do. Yes, there is lots of labor in musical theater, but when I went out to play and sing my characters, I was not working a job as much as I was loving an act, though I would not have loved the performance as much if I were not performing alongside lovely people. The props, dancing, acting, singing and even the lights came together in the end because of our shared loved for performance.”

Sophomore Will Wilson said, “Being part of a musical takes all the quirks and unique abilities in a person and turns them into talent and inspiration. The experience takes strangers and turns them into family.”

It’s safe to assume that we haven’t seen the last of NHS Drama and live theatre on the Northview stage.