Tag Archives: Alyssa Book

Weekly Playlist: Grammy Style

By Alyssa Book and Chase Gosman

This week A&E is popping it and locking it with a playlist inspired by the Grammys. Songs include nominees from this year along with previous nominated tracks.

1) “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga (2009)

2) “Make It Mine” by Jason Mraz (2009)

3) “Hey, Soul Sister” by Train (2010)

4) “The Only Exception” by Paramore (2010)

5) “Paradise” by Coldplay (2011)

6) “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster The People (2011)

7) “Firework” by Katy Perry (2011)

8) “The Cave” by Mumford & Sons (2011)

9) “Someone Like You” by Adele (2011)

10) “Moves Like Jagger” by Maroon 5 (2011)

‘Ashes’ to play next weekend on Studio One stage

By Alyssa Book and Lauren Holstner

Sarcasm and cynicism come to the FC stage next weekend in the form of the play “Ashes.”

The play, which will feature a variety of FC thespians, will be performed Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. and Jan. 28 and 29 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The play has eight different scenes, which all center around a common theme: cremation.

“It’s got funny things, serious moments and it’s unusual. It’s a variety of things,” said directer Chris Bundy.

Junior Laura Duncan said, “It’s set up like each scene has a different plot. The scenes are all connected through the theme of cremation.”

The theater students are excited to perform the play because it is based off of things that have happened to Bundy.

“Well, since I wrote it, it’s fun to see the things you wrote come to life and some of the things happened to me. So it’s fun to watch students act it out,” said Bundy

The play is described by Duncan as being sarcastic and putting humor to situations that are not normally humorous.

Senior Erica Mohler, who plays Elizabeth in the “Ashes,” said the show has a great concept and although preparing for the play in only two weeks was stressful, it was a learning experience and helped her with time management.

Duncan and Mohler both commented on how the show is a great opportunity for the underclassmen performers.

Mohler said, “Bundy added scenes to the play to give underclassmen more opportunities. It is a great way for them to gain experience and grow in acting.”

“Ashes” will be performed on Jan. 27-29 and begins the last semester of plays directed by Bundy, who will retire at the end of the school year. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens, and $6 for students.

American classic makes transition to silver screen once again

By Alyssa Book

From Photobucket.com
The Great Gatsby is the tale of lovers destined to be together, but meant to be apart.
The novel follows Nick Carraway, the honest and tolerant man from the Midwest trying his luck in the bond business in the East. Nick moves to the West Egg, right across the bay from his cousin Daisy and her husband Tom Buchanan.

Nick moves in next to a glorious Gothic mansion belonging to the young millionaire Jay Gatsby. Through whispers and rumors, Nick is soon to find Gatsby’s lavish party lifestyle is not all about sex and alcohol, like most things were in the 1920’s.

Gatsby, as you come to find, is in pursuit of the American dream. A part of that dream is getting the attention of Daisy Buchanan. Why is Daisy so important? She is Gatsby’s one true love. They embarked on a passionate romance before he went to war, and although Daisy is now married, Gatsby cannot let go of the sweet memories he has with her.

From this point in the novel, the real drama begins. With cheating, lying, and deceit spreading more quickly through the novel than the rumors of how Gatsby’s earned his fortune, the reader frantically flips through the pages totally engrossed in the story of young lovers trying to rekindle a flame lit long ago.

I absolutely loved the story and after reading it I understood why this novel has been acclaimed as an American classic. This love story is the first of its nature, and is the inspiration behind some the major romance novels and movies today. Fitzgerald’s novel opened the door for authors today to have the ideas of girls caught between two lovers.

The novel has been interpreted to film several times. Each film just never met the credibility or reputation of the novel that has been set through generations of praise from readers. On Dec. 25, 2012, Baz Luhrmann will be  adapting the film to feature talent such as Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, and Leonardo DiCaprio.

The film casting was very competitive and the role for Daisy Buchanan was a hot ticket on the Hollywood audition scene. Blake Lively, Keira Knightly, and Natalie Portman all took a shot for the role before Mulligan stole the show and ultimately landed the part.

I am expecting this star studded film to be the most successful adaptions of the novel. Luhrmann was the director of films such as Australia, Romeo + Juliet, and Moulin Rouge. This film will surely uphold his reputations that the other films established: having a passionate romance story line with drama and suspense intertwining to create a great movie, one that I think could be worthy of awards.

I would suggest all genders of all ages to read The Great Gatsby. I enjoyed the suspense and deep themes running through the novel. American dreams, 1920 parties, and social classes defining integrity all help the reader realize that love can drive people to do unimaginable things.

I expect the movie to exceed the book, because with an all-star cast including America’s heartthrob DiCaprio, the movie should be a sophisticated interpretation of a classic novel. Filming began in September in Australia, but until Dec.25, 2012, we will have to sit back and anxiously await to see DiCaprio as the the mysterious Gatsby in theaters. In the meantime, this is a great time to read the acclaimed novel and fall into the romance of The Great Gatsby.

Cast List

Winter Fantasia puts on final show Thursday

By Alyssa Book and Jared Murray

Winter Fantasia is an annual performance put on by all the musical art departments at FC. On Thursday, Dec. 8, students will showcase their talents by performing classic holiday pieces such as “Sleigh Ride” along with some more Christmas songs with a modern twist. This is a joint performance which includes the orchestra, band, choir, and handbells.

Winter Fantasia has taken a lot of preparation and freshman look at this as new and exciting, but still a challenge. Freshman Madison Eickholtz said she is eager to see what Winter Fantasia is like. She added lots of practicing and getting into the Christmas spirit is helping preparing her for today and Thursday. Eickholtz is a first violinist in the symphony orchestra.

This program is a culmination of all the musical departments at FC. Each program gets their own time on stage to perform several songs. At the end of the program all of the groups join together on stage and perform classics such as “White Christmas” and “Do You Hear What I Hear.”

Students use this performance to share in the holiday spirit with their community. This is an annual showcase that has freshmen through seniors eager to show talent to friends in family.

Senior Robin Fearheiley plays the bassoon in the symphony orchestra, concert band along with playing the saxophone in the Jeff sax choir. She likes Winter Fantasia because she gets the chance to appreciate the other musical groups at FC.

Orchestra director Doug Elmore, band director Harold Yankey and chorus/handbells director Angela Hampton are the excavators of this ambitious yet rewarding concert. They have prepared their students to give great performance; Thursday audiences will get to experience the show for themselves.

Both concerts will take place in the FC auditorium at 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday night.

Theater’s annual ‘Madrigal’ dinner this weekend

By Alyssa Book, Lauren Holstner, and Cody Repine

As December approaches, many theater students are prepare for the dinner that brings a Christmas spirit to the FC community. On Dec. 2 and 3, the theater department will showcase an event filled with food, acting, singing, and family bonding.

The event, called “Madrigal,” is a yearly spectacle that is held by the FC theater department for anyone who wants to come and join in on the fun.

At this dinner,families get to enjoy a five-course catered meal while enjoying the talented theater department’s holiday skits.

Not only is Madrigal a unique experience for the community, it is also an enjoyable experience for the thespians themselves.

Senior Erika Mohler said, “Madrigal is the first official thing everyone in the theater department gets to be a part of, so it’s a bonding experience. Everyone is an equal that night, no one is competing over leads.”

Junior Cherish Curry, who is a part of technical theater, said setting up for the dinner takes three to four hours of preparation. Technical theater also enjoys this show because it is easier to set up than other main stage productions. Curry particularly likes the artistic freedom they get while setting up Madrigal.

This experience bonds theater students and gives them a chance to do what they love while serving and entertaining their community and families.

Junior Laura Duncan explained how performing at the dinner is enjoyable because it’s lighthearted and low key.

The dinner is this Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. Check back Friday night for photos from the show!