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Bjorg Johannesen and April Amromborirak are not the typical Blue Springs South High School students. Johannesen, who is from the Faroe Islands near Iceland, and Amromborirak, who is from Thailand, are AFS exchange students this year at the high school.
Arriving in August, both girls have spent the last few months adjusting to life in the United States and participating in a variety of sports and activities. To embrace the full American high school experience, the two students decided to get involved with this year’s theater production of “Brigadoon” as members of the stage crew. Johannesen is operating one of the spotlights and Amromborirak is part of the running crew.
“I wanted to do it just for fun, something I haven’t done before,” Johannesen said. “I have met a lot of new friends and learned to do many things I have not ever done before. It has been a lot of fun.”
“Brigadoon” tells the story of a mysterious village in Scotland – a village that only appears one day every 100 years. In a place where family, home, security and stability mean everything, the enchantment is seen not as a curse, but a blessing to those who live there. Their world is turned upside, however, when two American tourists stumble upon the village, which has implications for everyone. It has appeared on Broadway and on film, in a 1954 production starring Gene Kelly and Cyd Sharrise. There was also a television version produced in 1966.
“Brigadoon” is at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Blue Springs South, 1200 S.E. Adams Dairy Parkway. There is also a matinee performance at 1 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $8 in advance and $10 at the door.
Susan Cooper, director of the theater production, said a member of the staff has asked for years to put “Brigadoon” on stage. She said this year, the right cast and blend in voices was in place to accomplish that request.
“The students are loving that this is about a simple group of people who love their home and love their family. They are devoted to it,” she said. “I think a lot of people are looking for that safe place, so it has really resonated with the whole cast. They are doing a great job.”
Junior Tanner Boots is playing Charlie Dalrymple, the guy “all the girls want.” Boots said he likes how his character is outgoing and confident in himself, making it a fun role to play.
Bjorg Johannesen and April Amromborirak are not the typical Blue Springs South High School students. Johannesen, who is from the Faroe Islands near Iceland, and Amromborirak, who is from Thailand, are AFS exchange students this year at the high school.
Arriving in August, both girls have spent the last few months adjusting to life in the United States and participating in a variety of sports and activities. To embrace the full American high school experience, the two students decided to get involved with this year’s theater production of “Brigadoon” as members of the stage crew. Johannesen is operating one of the spotlights and Amromborirak is part of the running crew.
“I wanted to do it just for fun, something I haven’t done before,” Johannesen said. “I have met a lot of new friends and learned to do many things I have not ever done before. It has been a lot of fun.”
“Brigadoon” tells the story of a mysterious village in Scotland – a village that only appears one day every 100 years. In a place where family, home, security and stability mean everything, the enchantment is seen not as a curse, but a blessing to those who live there. Their world is turned upside, however, when two American tourists stumble upon the village, which has implications for everyone. It has appeared on Broadway and on film, in a 1954 production starring Gene Kelly and Cyd Sharrise. There was also a television version produced in 1966.
“Brigadoon” is at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Blue Springs South, 1200 S.E. Adams Dairy Parkway. There is also a matinee performance at 1 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $8 in advance and $10 at the door.
Susan Cooper, director of the theater production, said a member of the staff has asked for years to put “Brigadoon” on stage. She said this year, the right cast and blend in voices was in place to accomplish that request.
“The students are loving that this is about a simple group of people who love their home and love their family. They are devoted to it,” she said. “I think a lot of people are looking for that safe place, so it has really resonated with the whole cast. They are doing a great job.”
Junior Tanner Boots is playing Charlie Dalrymple, the guy “all the girls want.” Boots said he likes how his character is outgoing and confident in himself, making it a fun role to play.
“I think I like the song, ‘Come to Me, Bend to Me,’ the most,” he said. “It is a beautiful song, and I love singing it. I also love all of the comedic aspects of the musical. It is all around a great show.”
Senior Zac Salazar plays Tommy Albright, one of the Americans who finds Brigadoon. Once there, Tommy falls for a village girl and must make a choice – stay in Brigadoon or leave forever. Salazar said when Tommy meets Fiona, it changes the way he looks at things.
“I like that this musical is really different. It’s not like your average Cinderella story,” he said. “This one is not about the girl. It’s about the guy. He is the one in control, and he is the one making the decisions. That’s what I think will grab the audience’s attention.”
