by Todd Orth – news@thenewsleaders.com
(Editor’s note: The following sampling of quotes from crew and cast members of the Sartell Middle School musical, “Guys and Dolls,” was submitted by the show’s publicity director, Todd Orth of Sartell.)
“Guys and Dolls,” which opened Thursday, will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22 and 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 at Sartell High School. Tickets are available at the door. Senior citizens are admitted free.
Directed by Rick Cicharz, the perennially popular musical features 48 actors, three stage managers and a crew of 45. It’s one of the most ambitious theater productions in the history of Sartell, with 105 students having tried out for the roles.
The following are reactions from those involved with the production about “Guys and Dolls.”
Blayne Gardner, lighting: “I love being in theater. It’s a great extracurricular activity.”
Raija Layne, stage manager: “Mr. Cicharz (the director) makes each play his own.”
Autumn Fosteson, who plays one of the Dolls: “I tried out for another play, but I did not make it. My friends said I should try out for a part in ‘Guys and Dolls’ and so I went for it.”
Katie Kulus, who plays Sarah Brown: “I love to sing and become a different person for awhile. I saw a little bit of myself in the character.”
Turner Kuhn, who plays Nathan Detroit: “I watched my sister play Sarah Brown a few years ago, and I wanted to play a character that was far from that part. It’s been fun.”
Camilo Hernandez, who plays Sky Masterson: “I usually do sports. This winter, I either did swimming or I did this play. Being in a play is not tough, but it’s harder than it looks. Learning lines is more difficult than it seems. This is my first play so I was curious as to what it would be like. I like singing best.”
Quinne Ingemansen, who plays Miss Adelaide: “I have high energy, and a good New York accent. My brother and I talk in a New York accent a lot for fun. I like meeting people I have not known before. When I got the role of Adelaide, I was super happy. I was jumping up and down! I have six costumes to get in and out of. Sometimes it’s hard to get in full character, and sometimes it’s hard to get back out of character.”
Aidan Speckhard, who plays Nicely Nicely: “Singing is the easiest. I am trying out for ‘Les Miserables.’ I like being a part of a group of students who shares an interest in theater, students I can rely on.”
Nikki Walters, stage manager: “Mr. Cicharz the director makes the play a lot of fun. He makes it unique. We get to meet students we did not know in seventh and eighth grades. I love working with people.”
Tracy Watkin, set design: “The crew really worked hard to put the set together. I put drills in their hands and they just went at it.”
Rick Cicharz, director: “This is a great cast. They are fun to work with. Many students put in 70-80 hours of rehearsals.”
