Willow Glen Resident
Education
Willow Glen High School's spring musical played to sold-out audiences
By Mayra Flores De Marcotte
The benefits from Willow Glen High School's fledgling music program are becoming apparent as its spring musical, Godspell closed its curtains.
The sold-out performances March 19-22 were part of collaboration between the school and the Children's Musical Theater San Jose.
The original musical performed in 1971 was based on the religious life of Jesus; Willow Glen High School's version was adapted to urban life and is set in 2007.
The emphasis was on faith, regardless of what a person believes in.
"There was a good lesson to be learned," high school senior Sharilyn Heinkel says, "and in the end, everyone really liked it. It was really cool."
Sharilyn, who has eight years of theater experience and been part of advanced choir class since her freshman year, played the role of Jesus. She describes it as metaphorical.
"I didn't have to look like a guy," she says. "I just got to be myself. I wasn't trying to portray Jesus per se, just a teacher with a good lesson."
In contrast, senior Arnel Cayabyab has been doing theater only for a year.
"I saw the musical last year, Once on an Island, and I thought it was fun," Arnel says. "I said to myself, I could do that. So the next theater production, the fall drama Ebenezer, I joined and played the role of Santa Claus."
The experience kept him interested, and when a chance to play Judas in Godspell came up, he jumped.
The success of the show and audience response was more than he thought possible.
"To me, it was special," Arnel says. "I hadn't done any musicals before. The feeling of being on stage, putting a lot of work into something and in the end, hearing the applause from the audience--it feels like you are doing a service to the community rather than something for personal pride."
Although Arnel had experience playing multiple musical instruments, the theater experience has been something he wishes he had begun earlier.
"I wish I could have done this all four years," Arnel says. "Now I feel kind of left out."
The music program has been a bit rocky during the last three years, with the loss of the school's music instructor, but recently hired music teachers Sarah Duarte and Kenny Williams rekindled the excitement.
Twice as many students as last year tried out for the spring musical, says parent Kathy Hopp.
"That's not bad for just one year, and if next year we double that, we will be in fabulous shape," she says.
The attendance for the show and the turnout of students to casting calls are among the pluses that have stimulated the school's music and theater program.
"The school's collaboration with the Children's Musical Theater along with the new teachers have been some of the best things to happen to the school in a really long time," Sharilyn says. "They are young and hip and know what's up. We are bringing Willow Glen back on the map."
