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October 28, 2008

<a href="http://www.gtherald.com/local/local_story_302173727.html">'South Pacific' brings new direction</a>

By CAROL SOUTH

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TRAVERSE CITY -- Student talent is always there -- singing, dancing and acting -- but the high energy musical "South Pacific" represents a changing of the guard.

When the Traverse City Central High School student cast debuts the Broadway hit next Thursday, the leadership team offstage features veteran singing teacher and director Marilyn Tilley as director and producer. She is teaming up with dance teacher Lisa Reehorst as the show's choreographer.

For 21 years and 32 musicals combined at the two Traverse City high schools, West Middle School teacher Pat Gallagher was the producer and director. Her daughter, Erin Peck, pitched in as choreographer and assistant director at both schools for the past 10 years.

After years of 12-hour days during production -- which amounted to 20 weeks of the school year -- the team passed the baton after last year's musicals, shifting focus to family and their summer professional musical theater company, Miracle Productions.

With South Pacific auditions held just after the school year began, Tilley and Reehorst charged into production and have kept up a lightning pace ever since. They have managed the cast of just over 50 students and a crew of 20 students through daily rehearsals since the second week of school. The show includes a pit orchestra of 25-30 student musicians.

"Marilyn and Lisa have been nothing shy of a miracle," said Tami Grove, choral director at Central High School and musical director for the show. "Their creativity and enthusiasm for the show is apparent and their organization has kept everyone on their toes."

"This is our first time working together, and I am honored to work with them and so thankful for their talents," she added.

A classically trained singer who worked professionally in musical theater as an actor and director, Tilley also runs the theater program at Woodland School, a charter school in Traverse City. After collaborating with Reehorst on various shows there, the two have fit seamlessly together with Grove as the show developed.

"I have loved working with Tami and Lisa because I respect them as artists," said Tilley, adding of her directorial style: "I seek out their opinions and ideas, I think a team approach yields the best result."

Tilley also has a particular affinity for the show Grove selected last spring. She appreciates that the somewhat lighthearted musical, which debuted in 1949, also boldly addresses racism and showcases the ability of people to grow and change.

The top-notch songs don't hurt either.

"The musical score is one of Rodgers' best and the music is very healthy for young voices to sing," said Tilley, who has a bachelor's degree from the North Carolina School of the Arts and a master's degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music. "The kids have done a great job. I think we will have a terrific show."

South Pacific features a strong male cast, which taps into the depth of voices available at Central High School.

"In the choral program this year, we have an exceptional amount of talent among our male singers, however a good majority of them did not audition for the show," noted Grove, adding that some singing roles were filled by non-choir students.

Cast in a lead role of "Joe Cable," senior Craig Manning will be appearing in his third and final musical at Central. A former student of Tilley's at the Woodland School, he is also a member of Central's Chorale and Choral-Aires ensembles.

"It's pretty fun, I think it's made more fun because South Pacific is pretty big on Broadway right now," he noted.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and may be purchased at Central's box office, 933-3573. Evening shows at 7:30 will be held Nov. 6-8 and Nov. 13-15. Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. will be Nov. 9 and 16.

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