Becky Strickland
Special to the Tribune/Advisor
There is a tradition that has held at Maranatha Christian School for the past 14 years.
It is a tradition that begins with eager students waiting to audition for a fall production, way back in September; a tradition that continues for three months of rehearsal for sometimes up to 12 hours a week.
This tradition culminates in a fantastic, family friendly musical production.
It is a tradition that allows students to grow in confidence, dramatic skills and team work.
Most importantly, this tradition has always included entertaining the people of Williams Lake.
This year is no different. A group of Maranatha Christian School high school students, known as the Maranatha Players, have been working to bring to the stage the musical production, Don’t Stop Believin’! written by Craig Sodaro and Bill Francoeur.
The play takes place at The Ethel Lampert Community Centre, which has seen better days and may soon see its final days unless the teens, volunteers and staff find a way to save it.
Some sleazy city council members want to bulldoze the place to redevelop and commercialize the neighborhood, but that’s not stopping the teens who frequent the community centre.
From basketball players, to computer nerds, to artists, these down-on-their-luck inner-city kids have no place else to go, and losing the centre would mean losing their home away from home.
When they hear of a new television reality contest for glee clubs, they decide to form their own and try out. If they win top prize, they’ll earn enough money to keep the centre open.
They’re not sure they’ll be able to pull it off, especially with a city council that’s bribing the egotistical celebrity judges, and an annoyed neighbour harping on them at every turn, but they are eager to try.
This energetic, contemporary musical is bursting with large rock and pop chorus numbers and a powerful, anthemic finale.
The cast members have put in many hours working on intricate harmonies, as well as choreographed routines, one of which includes basketballs.
The student’s eagerness and enthusiasm was evident in the rehearsals and now that the musical is on stage.
In this group there are some students who have many years of experience, having been involved in the school theatre program since Grade 4, and some who are on stage for the first time.
Together they have created a cast that works together and helps each other out.
This is a show people of all ages can enjoy.
Come out and help us continue our tradition of family friendly entertainment. We hope we can continue entertaining the City of Williams Lake for many years to come.
Becky Strickland is a Maranatha Christian School teacher and director of Don’t Stop Believin’!
The musical finishes its two-week run this Thursday and Friday, Dec. 10-11 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 12 with two shows, at 1 p.m. and 8 p.m.Tickets are available at The Open Book.
