Madison Messenger - November 13th, 2022

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PAGE 2 - MADISON MESSENGER - November 13, 2022 www.madisonmessengernews.com LHS puts cyber-punk spin on ‘Romeo & Juliet’ By Kristy Zurbrick Madison Editor London High School’s drama department is putting their own cyber-punk, futuristic twist on an old (very old) classic, “Romeo & Juliet.” Think dark costumes, neon accents and lighting, fog machines, and martial arts bow staffs in place of swords. “There aren’t a lot of science fiction plays to do on stage. I just started teaching a scifi class this fall. And I grew up in the ‘80s Dwyer Chiro 2x6 when ‘Bladerunner’ was a thing. All of that was in my head when I was deciding what to do for this year’s play,” said Scott Blanton, English teacher and play director. This marks the third time Blanton has staged “Romeo & Juliet” at London High School. He’s done a contemporary version, but this is the first time he has set the wellknown story of star-crossed lovers and feuding families in the future. “I didn’t know how the students would react to the idea,” Blanton said. “They were really excited when I said I wanted to go in a cyber-punk direction, and they got on board immediately when I said we were doing it with ‘Romeo & Juliet.’ They were all in.” While the setting is different, the language is not. The cast is sticking with Shakespeare’s original wording, and Blanton is impressed with how well the actors have taken to it. “What I like about all these kids is they really try to understand what they’re saying. We’ve taken time to make sure they know what the lines mean and how to say them,” he explained, adding that the text’s rhythm and rhyme has proven easier for students to memorize than traditional dialogue. Isaiah Capell, a sophomore, plays Romeo. Blanton said Capell was an easy pick for the role. “Trying to do a cold read of Shakespeare can be difficult, and Isaiah read well the first tryout. He has a lot of enthusiasm for the part,” he said. Playing opposite Capell as Juliet is senior Kyleigh Wilson, who, according to Blanton, has really dedicated herself to memorizing and knowing what Juliet is saying with her lines. Blanton describes Wilson as a confident, reliable performer. Other seniors in the cast include Evie Gillilan as the nurse. “She’s another one who when she tried out, you just knew she was right for the role. She wanted to play that part and played it well from the beginning. She’s a really talented actress. Playing an older character can be difficult for a high school student, but she really pulls it off,” Blanton said. Seniors Olivia Davitt and Jordan Anderson are each holding down two jobs as part Madison County Board of Developmental Disabilities is seeking people interested in performing in this year’s Christmas Cabaret. The event will take place at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at London Christian Fellowship Church, 255 U.S. Rte. 42, London. The board is looking for individuals they serve, as well as family, friends, staff, and other community members interested in PICKLEBALL Continued from page 1 bines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong using a paddle and a plastic ball with holes. Anyone of any age or skill level can play. The sport can be played one-onone or two-on-two. Rules of the game can be found on the village’s website, plaincity.com; go to the “Parks & Rec” tab and click on “Sand Volleyball/Pickleball.” “It’s something new and fresh,” said Denton Kitts, Plain City parks and recreation assistant, about the multi-use courts. Messenger photo by Kristy Zurbrick Among members of London High School’s cast of “Romeo & Juliet” are: (front row, from left) Gael Juarez Perez, Tate Wilson, Jamie Davis, Emmelia Rafferty, Kaity Chastain; (second row) Olivia Davitt, Sara Studebaker, Isaiah Capell, Kyleigh Wilson, Isabella Kerry, Chloee King, Kaelyn Thoman; (back row) Jordan Anderson, Lily Beyer, Ethan Davitt, Quinton Brown and Lucas Lister. of the production. On stage, Davitt performs as the prince in charge of Verona and breaking up the many fights; off-stage, she serves as the play’s stage manager. In addition to playing one of the fighters, Anderson oversees organization of the prop table. Senior Anthony Holfinger, who Blanton describes as a solid, reliable performer, serves as the narrator, showing up at the beginning, middle, and end of the show. His classmate, Sam Homan, is putting his athleticism and coordination to work as the bow staff-wielding Mercutio. A member of the high school band’s fall and winter guard, Homan has the skills to move well on stage. Yet another senior, Kelley Tuttle, is lending her talents to the production, by choreographing all of the fight scenes. Her training in stage combat is coming in handy. Blanton said he has been enjoying preparation for the play as much as the students. “It’s fun as an English teacher to work with kids on a Shakespeare play because you can really dig in. You have a greater appreciation of Shakespeare when performing it than when learning it in a classroom. It comes alive,” he said. London High School’s production of “Romeo & Juliet” is set for 7 p.m. Nov. 18-19 and 2 p.m. Nov. 20. Tickets are $8 at the door. DD Board seeks Cabaret performers helping to spread some holiday cheer. This event is back by popular demand after successful programs in December 2019 and the post-pandemic return in December 2021. Anyone who would like to perform in the Cabaret—sing, dance, juggle, play an instrument, etc.—is asked to contact Jeff Gates as soon as possible at (740) 852-7050, ext. 1814, or jeff.gates@madison.oh.gov. Linda Granger, parks and recreation director, said she hopes to find someone who can teach a pickleball class. Residents also have expressed interest in starting pickleball leagues. One pickleball set of four paddles and a ball are available to checkout at the park office, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For details, call (614) 873-3527, ext. 108. An $83,000 Nature Works grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources covered approximately one-third of the cost of the project.
www.madisonmessengernews.com November 13, 2022 - MADISON MESSENGER - Page 3 4,649 food items collected in BEE the Change drive By Kristy Zurbrick Madison Editor In support of World Food Day and Make a Difference Day in October, Mount Sterling Mayor Marci Darlington organized “BEE the Change,” a friendly competition in which London, Mount Sterling, Plain City and West Jefferson competed to see which community could collect the most non-perishable food items to donate to local food pantries. The finally tally is in. Together, the four communities collected a grand total of 4,649 food items, as well as cash donations. These donations were delivered to five food pantries around the county. London collected the most items at 2,147. Students at London Elementary School competed to see which class could bring in the most donations; the winning class enjoyed an ice cream party. That effort accounted for 1,700 of the city’s 2,147 items. West Jefferson collected 2,001 items, while Mount Sterling collected 379 items and Plain City collected 122 items. Darlington is pleased with the way she and her fellow mayors came together for a good cause. This is the second time she has rallied the four communities to help others. Late last year, they collected everything from bottled water to baby formula to send to tornado-ravaged Mayfield, Ky. “With BEE the Change, I threw it at them (the other mayors) and they were, like, ‘Yup, let’s do it,’” Darlington said. “I think it looks good for Madison County as a whole when the mayors can come together and do something that’s impactful for all of our communities.” The food pantries that benefited from the food drive are the Mount Sterling Community Center food pantry, Good Samaritan Food Pantry in West Jefferson, DNA/Plain City Food Pantry, and London Food Pantry and HELP House in London. Mount Sterling Mayor Marci Darlington, organizer of the BEE the Change food drive, stands among the donations her community collected. FREE Thanksgiving Dinner @ Phat Daddy’s Pizza Plain City Mayor Jody Carney bags up food donations for the county-wide BEE the Change food drive. 12 PM Until It’s All Gone Turkey, Ham, Potatoes & Gravy, Stuffing, Corn, Baked Beans, Rolls, Drinks, and Pumpkin Pie 15 E. FIRST ST., LONDON 740-852-3339 PICK-UP & DELIVERY London Mayor Patrick Closser and London Elementary fifth-grader Cameron Henderson hold signs representing the number of food items donated by the London community. Henderson collected the most items. London Elementary students as a whole donated 1,700 of the city’s 2,147 items. Come enjoy some chocolate, a free massage, “My Word” Porch Boards and many more new products. Do your Christmas Shopping as you make new friends! LADIES NIGHT * Local vendors & artists share their crafts * Numerous types of homemade and name brands * Enjoy being pampered * Sales at your hardware store West Jefferson Mayor Ray Martin presents Linda Collins, a Good Samaritan Food Pantry volunteer and board member, with food and cash donations. Nov. 16, 17, 2017 2022 55 - - 8pm
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Madison Messenger - November 13th, 2022

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