2 December 2010

    'Curtains' comment submitted

    Recently, I attended the MHS production of the whodunit musical comedy; Curtains. I thought that the students did a great job and that the production of the show was excellent. Once again, I was highly impressed with the talents of our high school students and the many hours of practice and toil that they put into the show was evident. Both cast and crew represented themselves well.

    The only aspect of the production that I found objectionable was the casting of the role of the director of the play, with Eric Brehm, the drama coach and a teacher at MHS, cast himself in the role. According to the cast members that I spoke with, Mr. Brehm did not audition any student for the role because he felt that there was no student who was mature enough to carry the role. I find this assertion preposterous and that, by casting himself in a major role in the production, Mr. Brehm denied a student the experience of playing a role in what is supposed to be a student performance.        I appreciate the many hours of effort and mentoring that Mr. Brehm has dedicated to his student actors, but it is my opinion that he has crossed the line and put his own ego ahead of the best interests of our students by casting himself in this role. In my opinion, this would be analogous to the football coach suiting up and taking a position on the field because he didn't think that anyone in the school would be a suitable linebacker on his team!

    Name withheld by request

  Editor’s note: Normally we do not print letters without names. But this writer did submit his name to The Thistle and the Thistle staff decided the reasons given for not printing the name were good ones. Others who saw the play may have a similar opinion or not. They are welcome to submit a rebuttal.

    9 December 2010

    Walker: Brehm only interested in what is best for students

    I was taken aback by the recent letter on the MHS musical, “Curtains,” and the opinions expressed toward its director, Eric Brehm. As a recent graduate of McFarland High School and an actor in the drama program, I disagree with some of the statements made, and feel they are in need of rebuttal.

    First of all, those who know Mr. Brehm would find the assertion of his ego coming before his student actors preposterous and ignorant; I have found over the years of studying under him on the stage and in the classroom that he only has an interest in what is best for his students.

    At the show on Friday evening, I asked him why he didn’t list his name in the program. His response: humility; he embraces acting, but he loves even more seeing his students shine. If he were out to flaunt his pompous ego, don’t you think he would be a little less humble about his abilities? Try asking him to show off his dramatic skill sometime, he will be quick to change the subject.

    I also spoke with Anne Nichols, the musical director of the show, and asked her opinion. What people do not seem to understand is this: high school drama programs are plagued by a lack of male singers. Brehm casting himself in the show allowed another male student to be cast in the chorus, subsequently adding another female to the show. Seeing as one of the main complaints from drama parents year after year is on the size (or lack thereof) of the cast, I can further understand the reason for his decision.

    Eric Brehm is an astounding director who has worked wonders for the McFarland drama program. The decision to cast himself in “Curtains” provided another comical aspect to the show, along with an energy to the cast that made it superior to any other musical done by the school in many years. I fully support his decision to cast himself, as it was one of taste and constraint, not one of magniloquence or self-admiration.

    Kolin Walker

    MHS Class of 2010

    16 December 2010

    Not enough male students auditioned for ‘Curtains’

    Dear Editor:

    The following is in response to the Dec. 2 anonymous letter to the editor about the musical “Curtains.”

    To Whom It May Concern:

    Thank you for coming to McFarland High Schools’ production of “Curtains” last month. What an excellent question you brought to the attention of the McFarland community; “Why would a staff member, one of the directors of the musical, cast himself in the show?”

    The answer to your question is not embedded with personal ambitions or selfish motives, but rather the simple fact that we did not have enough male students audition for the show. We cast every talented and hard working male student that auditioned. We changed the gender of the part of the stage manager, originally Johnny to Jenny to allow for another female to have a part. We decided to cast Mr. Brehm as Christopher Bellings to accomplish just the opposite of what you assumed. By casting himself it allowed for one of the males to move into the chorus, which would then allowed for yet another female to be cast opposite that male in the chorus. (We had over twice as many talented and hard working females try out as males.)

    Might I also offer a different perspective that you completely overlooked. Every student involved in this production had the rare opportunity to work side by side with a professional actor. The lessons Mr. Brehm taught in stage presence, character development & comedic timing (to name a few) were far superior to lessons learned in a textbook or lecture.

    Your letter provided a unique learning opportunity for the cast as many of the students came to me to discuss their frustration regarding your comments. I hope that in the future you would approach me or Mr. Brehm with your questions rather than post your comments anonymously in a public letter.

    Anne R. Pingel-Nichols

    McFarland High School Choral Director and co-Musical Director