Apple Valley High School Students Show Off Broadway Talents in 'Blue'

Fresh off its January production of “Amadeus,” Apple Valley High School has another ambitious theater production up its sleeve for February. In the variety show, “Broadway 2011: Blue,” more than 100 performers bring to life 23 songs that span several decades.

The show premieres for the public at 7:30 p.m. Friday, and runs through Feb. 27.

Director John Zimmerman has been directing plays at Apple Valley High School for 17 years, and said the show is meant to provide student performers of all types the chance to contribute.

 “This is the best thing we do at the school,” Zimmerman said. “We bring all of the performing arts together.”

Students comprise not only the cast, crew, jazz ensembles, vocal groups and dance team, they also created the artwork that adorns the theater, Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman drew on his years of experience teaching music and touring as jazz saxophonist to choose the songs. All of the show’s songs are tied to the theme of blue, from Frank Sinatra’s “Blue Moon” to Prince’s “Computer Blue.”

The costumers, lighting crew and set designers incorporated blue into their work, too, and fliers encourage theatergoers to wear something blue to the show. Those who do go blue receive a free pair of 3D glasses to enhance the viewing experience.

Students have appreciated the artistic outlet productions like this have provided them.

“These shows are the best memories of my time here," senior trumpet player Stephen Sutherland said.

Performers practiced their parts for months, but have only done full rehearsals for the past two weeks. Bringing together jazz ensembles, vocalists, dancers, and tech crew can be challenging.

“Everyone can feel 100-percent prepared,” senior saxaphonist Tyra Guldseth said. “But when we try to put everything together, things can go wrong.”

Sutherland said he feels they are ready for opening night, but daily practices can take their toll.

“Some of the instrumentalists have been nursing sore chops,” Sutherland said.

A 23-song production with more than 100 performers does require significant practice time, but the performers don't complain.

“The cast and crew like the show, and that makes it easy to do,” Guldseth said.

Carol Snyder was one Apple Valley resident happy to get a sneak peek at the show's senior citizen preview on Wednesday, and said she likes to watch all the school's performances. 

“There is a lot of good talent among kids everywhere,” Snyder said. “You just have to go in your backyard to find it.”

Snyder didn’t even have to leave her neighborhood to see "Blue."

“I live right up the hill,” she said.

If You Go:
Who: Apple Valley High School performing arts department
What: "Broadway 2011: Blue"
Where: Apple Valley High School theater
When: 7:30 p.m. each day Feb. 18, 19, 25 and 26; 2 p.m. on Feb. 20 and 27
Cost: $9 for adults, $7 for senior citizens, $5 for students. Tickets can be purchased at the box office one hour before each performance.