Students perform Guys and Dolls

IOLA-SCANDINAVIA – The Iola-Scandinavia school district is gearing up for their yearly musical and this year it is “Guys and Dolls.” It will be performed from Feb. 14 to16 at the Iola-Scandinavia High School Theater.
Shannon Huettner, one of the directors, said they decided to deviate from the normal Disney-type productions and try something a little more classic.
“We wanted to bring a classic in and we thought that we had the kids that would make a good cast for it,” said Huettner. “With the kids we have and the numbers we had, we thought they would run with the characters.”
The cast rounds out at 48 on-stage participants—high for a small school district.
“Guys and Dolls” was first produced in 1955 with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser. It focuses on the story of a gambler whose betting leads to love, going from the streets of New York to the beauty of Havana.

Students took to the stage with their best New York-style accents to perform the longtime popular musical comedy.
Ella Thompson plays Sarah Brown, a character she thought would work best because they have a lot in common.
“We are both religious and want to help as many people around us as possible,” said Thompson.
Thompson has participated in musicals since eighth grade and is currently a senior.
“The change is a good way to not only introduce the students to a new era and style but also connect with the parents of the students,” said Thompson. “I am excited to show everyone the powerful feelings of my character and the story we have all come to love.”
Huettner and her crew of directors, along with the students, have embarked on a journey to raise funds to renovate and update the Iola-Scandinavia theater.
There is a list of things that need to be updated with a goal of raising $450,000 over the next couple of years in order to pay for the renovations.
Huettner said she believes they have enough money currently raised to purchase a new sound board and new lights prior to next year’s show.
The list will also include things like new curtains as well as a booth devoted to sound and lights.
Huettner said at a school board meeting earlier in the school year that upon doing some research she cannot find any information on when things were updated, leading her to believe much of the theater is original to the school from when it was first built.
The ticket sales and sponsorship programs will continue to help raise funds for this endeavor.
Opening night is Friday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m., with additional shows on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 2 and 7 p.m. and the final show on Sunday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at the high school office during school hours or email a ticket request to ishsmusicals@gmail.com.