Leadership Often Takes Many Faces

Xavier Cannon as Kerchak – Certainly part of the magic of theatre is what occurs behind the scenes. This is no exception. The incredible task of taking on fundraising is a challenge and difficulty that can be an uphill battle. The journey that Xavier has always taken seems to be done in the most earnest and seeing him push towards being the top fundraiser for the theatre company was just one face of his commitment to the art. In being in Elf, Emma, and Legally Blonde, you might have seen how impactful he is with his voice as well as following his voice through the commitment to something he loves.

Being committed to Select ensemble, Concert Band, and Concert Choir, it is not too far fetched to see just in the description above how he could serve as a mentor and leader in many aspects of his commitment to arts. You notice with the repeat of the words commitment above, it is not difficult for Xavier to quietly lead, yet lead without sometimes saying a word. In Tarzan the musical, it seems the more dominant and loud of a leader makes the path in the jungle. It is difficult outside of this realm to imagine Xavier as loud, physically attempting to lead with large movements being made, and filling the space in the room from his actions. His quiet demeanor, effortless decision to make things happen, and commitment to putting his all into everything are part of who he is, and on stage, he wears this dominance well and makes room for everyone else to follow.

As said by a faculty member, Ms. Redmond, “I was also impressed by Xavier Cannon.  IDK maybe it is what was expected from him- but to see him transform from his role in Elf to the first king of the jungle was incredible. His voice is comparable to men I’ve seen play Sweeney  Sweeney Todd. If the performances I’ve seen are an indication- think he could have a professional career in opera.“

Whether Xavier chooses to lead by voice or by the actions of the role he is currently in, he just makes it happen, and there is no escaping that fact is evident in this musical.

Strength in Your Outlook and Ability to See What is Possible Ahead of You

Madison Moore as Terk. There are a few characters that instantly, you feel you fall right in step with, fall into a connection with from audience to actor, characters you just genuinely like and enjoy form the beginning. What is ironic is that is how Madison is in real life as a student as well, One of the most pleasant and positive, and capable individuals outside of the stage, seeing Madison absolutely soar into her roles in legally Blonde, Ghostlight, and Emma, her overall eclectic ability to liven any role tops the charts. Her voice grabs you, keeps you in place without any other details needed, but her enthusiasm and general talent to keeping roles riveting, electric and part of the equation of the overall plot – it is just who she is when you see her on stage.

Additionally, having had the advantage of seeing Madison sing at Baccalaureate with the ensemble and perform with the handbells, seeing her perform at games in band, one asks, what actually could she NOT be able to do? No one wants to know as all want to see her succeed due to her genuine and real personality. You just want to continue to see her succeed, and her optimism and ability to pull you along with that same characteristic just makes any role work. You are connected from the beginning with the relationship presented between Tarzan and Terk, and navigating the height of the jungles with ease, it would be difficult to imagine anyone else being able to master this like Madison. Such an asset to WHS and to the theatre program and so many ways, it is a complete joy to know she is a part of this production, and you definitely know in seeing her on stage! Were you as impressed as I that she made seeming being in air as natural as the way she is on the ground? Just asking.

Reflection and Action as a Tool to Guide You

Lauren Smack as Young Tarzan/Ensemble just WORKS. I wondered what? A Young Tarzan? How does that work? Watching Lauren on stage, and having the privilege to see her clear obstacle after obstacle off-stage – I am tired at the end of a week from just seeing her accomplish so much, but a type of tired that one cannot erase remains. You feel the same in seeing how Tarzan faces decision after decision brought in front of him, and the rapidity of insight required to move forward. Lauren’s ability to portray a younger version of the man we see later, in addition to pulling off a double split of older Tarzan alongside a younger Tarzan on stage, makes this production brilliant. From the actions of being bullied, to the actions of taking that same bullying and turning into a leader that holds onto the dreams that could come her way – I can tell you in watching her in high school, she applies the same determination, ability, and grit to all that arrives in her path.

I honestly could not imagine a production without Lauren due to her commitment to the roles he found herself in from Frozen, (during a Covid era that the cast brilliantly overcame), Legally Blonde, Ghostlight, Emma, to Peter Pan – she is always present in any role she is give and the audience feels this presence in some form or fashion. There is a character to Lauren’s voice that allow her to be part of the ensemble and character cast that you can count on, that is simply who Lauren is.

You would think this involvement and success would go to anyone student’s head, as any of the previously mentioned students – but not, as the others, Lauren remains rooted in the task at hand right in front of her and carries it to the utmost height of success. Often I have seen Lauren question her own ability to pull off the success of this or that but she never lets that question hold her back. it is exciting to see a student come into her own way of success through finding her way to do so. She is such a well-rounded, willing to give it what it takes student, as an actress her confidence she comes into pushes her forward every time. So proud of you Lauren!

Never Wander Far from Your Commitment to What is Right…and Laugh

Jared Rios as Porter/Ensemble. Wow, Let me say again. WOW. Often the unexpected hits you like a freight train. That is exactly what happened when Jared hits the stage from the very first “step.” His step is unlike anyone else’s and it defines his success in Tarzan the musical, without a doubt. HIS FIRST SHOW and I am asking myself, WHYYYYYY? I would have wanted to see him in many more and can only image the laughter and the expressive interpretation he has the potential to bring to any role if he wanted to. There is little doubt the strength Jared’s voice brings to the ensemble,

I think the most noticeable thing on and off stage is seeing what Jared is capable of and not knowing whether he himself has realized it, In realizing this, when you see his character having to confront what is right versus what is wrong, when moral decisions have to be made, when fatherly advice and decisions have to be made, when a clinical view and a himan.social view needs to be separated out, and when Jared has to ACT in something versus just being verbally supportive, Jared owns that in his role on stage. In fact, I would go as far as to say Jared has the ability to own that on and off the stage, and I feel he has a confidence that could really do anything he wanted; you get that feeling when you see his role as Jane’s father work through so many revolutions in the plot.

I was super surprised, excited, and proud of how Jared brings this role to life. I have seen Tarzan the Musical to compare to a Cascade Theatre version, and there is NO WAY I would want that role, to be this role. Jared is able to bring a personality and ownership to this role that deserves to be in front of the WHS audience that just works above and beyond what you would hope for. That is a success as is he in this role. You do not want to miss when Jane’s father first encounters the family of apes alongside the dialogue happening on stage, HYSTERICAL and a good example of how multiple events are occurring at the same time on stage that make this performance full of details.

When Wrong is Wrong and Carries the Audience to Heights

Keaton Macinta as Clayton. Have a read that correct? 8th GRADE? What? How is that possible you night ask? I was asking myself this question when I read the description of his character in Tarzan the musical but yes, believe it. Keaton does an excellent job of pulling you in more and more in loving to hate him as character in the scheme of the plot. His betrayals, his plotting to betray, his aim to represent that part of human nature that Kerchak battles against constantly filters through the audience all through the musical.

While you do not see a confrontation between Clayton and Terk until the very end of this production, you sense the pushing, pushing, pushing, against what is right with the characters of Jane, Jane’s father, the entourage that Clayton brings into the forest, and the remaining dark motives that match the motives seen against the main and all minor characters.

I would guess and infer that having a sense of presenting a negative trait in a character, while alternatley supporting yourself and others in a production, takes a heavy amount of responsibility that waits in the back and filters slowly in through the whole cast; yet it works so successfully in this case. Actively a part of past productions such as Annie, The Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast, the fact that Woodbridge has a commitment to the stage in years to come, one you can count in through each role, year after year, is often what makes a great production team for all productions. This can be as powerful as the first time an individual finds the arts and has such an initial impact on a production. It is fortunate that WHS has been able to see Keaton and one can only be excited about what future roles will have such an impact. Wanting the audience to feel so strongly about the actions of a character was a strength that shows the ability Keaton has through the role of Clayton in this production.

As Brief, Constant and Committed as You Can Imagine

Olivia McCarron as Mother and Ensemble. There is little that I have noticed Olivia does not worry or fret about. She is a master worrier of how her role will impact the audience, if her involvement is significant, if what she has to offer is something important enough to warrant impacting the audience. Outside of the stage she is a worrier, maybe even a doubter.

Then comes the time she takes thew stage and you are asking yourself, “Is this the SAME Olivia that was worried what she was bringing to the stage? She answers those doubts as soon as you see her, production after production after production giving what she enjoys, what she feels, what she is able to to do to the audience. In this case, Suessical Jr., Legally Blonde, Frozen, Ghostlight, and Emma have all benefitted in her being involved, taking a role and making it her own.

As a member of the Girls Who Code, you might expect this techy- meme-loving aspect to not really allow a space for theatre or acting. Nope. She embraces such a wide-range of interests I think it probably matches the diverse roles she jumps into and owns. it also seems fitting that she is at the start and finish of this production as she does indeed that, take a role and puts her all into it until completion. That helps define her as a person and despite having doubts along the way, I never have lost faith in the fact that she can bring the meaning of her role to fruition. Her brief appearances in productions as well as her permanent visible roles alike allow her to show everyone who sees and knows her, how capable a person she is, even when sometimes she seems to question that fact. She always answers that question on stage and that says a TON about who she is as a person.