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February 9, 2007
As J.J. Pearce High School theater students geared up for the school's annual musical, one department was hard at work long before the first actor was cast, writes correspondent Lynn Shaw, theater director. Read in this weekend's Richardson Neighbors about the students behind the scenes who help make 'Peter Pan' fly through Feb. 11 at Pearce Theatre.
-Photo submitted by Lynn Shaw
Taylor Knight, Peter Pan set designer, shows off the model set design she created while sitting on the steps of the completed project.
Posted by Mark Macesich 
at 5:30 PM (E-mail this entry)
This review of Peter Pan at J.J. Pearce High School ran in the Feb. 3 edition of Richardson Neighbors:
By KELLY ROSE
On stage, John, Michael, and Wendy Darling lay tucked in their beds.
Suddenly a dot of color flickers around the room, opening drawers and searching shelves. An instant later, the windows of the room fly open and in glides a mysterious figure in green searching for his shadow. It is a magical moment in the J.J. Pearce High School theater production of Peter Pan, which itself was nothing short of magical.
-Photo submitted by Lynn Shaw
Brett Thiele, right, as Peter Pan, with Elizabeth Judd as Wendy, Tyler Miller as John and Charlie Gibson as Michael.
The show, which opened the weekend of Jan. 26-28, runs through Sunday, Feb. 11.
Peter Pan is a story by J.M. Barrie about a boy who refuses to grow up.
In visiting the Darling home to retrieve his lost shadow, Peter meets Wendy, who convinces him to take her and her brothers to Neverland, where she will play "mother" to Peter's gang, the Lost Boys. After a series of events Wendy's heart gets the best of her and she goes back home, taking her brothers and the Lost Boys with her.
The Pearce Theatre production was anchored by the exceptional talent found in the acting and singing abilities of the lead performers and chorus. Seemingly simple choreography complimented the cheery songs, making the show a delight to watch. Characterization could be seen in even the smallest roles, which further helped to set the mood.
Brett Thiele did an outstanding job as Peter. His constant energy and childlike mannerisms were captivating, and he carried them out through the entire show. The chemistry between him and Wendy, portrayed by Elizabeth Judd, was evident as they worked great together. The chemistry between Captain Hook, played by Will Hughes, and Smee, portrayed by Daniel Schnider, was equally noticeable and refreshing.
As strong as Brett Thiele's performance was, he would have been nothing without his chorus of Lost Boys, Pirates, Indians and others. Numbers such as "Hook's Tango" and "I Won't Grow Up" really captured the spirit of the play.
Another major component of the success of this show was the technical support.
The sets were key to setting the mood of each individual scene as well as the overall production, and lights were used in an extremely clever fashion as the elusive Tinkerbell.
It goes without saying that Peter taking flight was extremely important to the outcome of the show and went as smoothly as could be imagined.
While the show did experience a few mishaps, Pearce students put on a charming show. Whether you're a Pirate, an Indian, a Lost Boy, or a "mother" at heart, the show provides something for everyone.
Kelly Rose, a student at L.V. Berkner High School, wrote this review for the Cappies high school theater criticism program.
Posted by Mark Macesich at 3:32 PM (E-mail this entry)
Last weekend, I attended the Richardson High School production of the musical CATS. I listened to what were surprisingly strong voices for a high school production and was pawed at (if that's the appropriate term) when the cats ventured into the audience.
This weekend, I'll be searching for my next read at the 25th annual Richardson ISD Council of PTAs used book fair (see Feb. 8 blog entry). Since my bookworm tendencies usually cause me to visit Half Price Books instead of spending a good chunk of the 'ol paycheck on brand new titles, I'm especially excited about having yet another cheap selection at the fair, which promises more than 70,000 used books for sale.
Richardson Neighbors editor Mark Macesich informs me he might also be seen perusing the books.
Posted by Angela Chambers at 3:11 PM (E-mail this entry)
Here's a chance to help out Scouting's 25th annual food drive for the needy in our community - and you hardly have to leave your house.
On Saturday, Feb. 10, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturers from the North Trail District, which covers the Richardson ISD, will be retrieving plastic bags placed last weekend on door steps across the community for food donations, writes Donald Birdsong, of Pack 516 the district's food drive chair.
Donations should be placed on doorsteps for pickup before l0 a.m.
Food donations needed include canned items such as vegetables, meats, chili, soups, juices, and baby formula, while boxed or bagged meals and pastas are also welcome. The ideal food donation bag would include one of each.
The council's goal this year is 500,000 items. Neither monetary donations, nor food that is perishable, frozen or packaged in glass can be accepted.
Since 2000, Scouts in Circle Ten Council, their families and volunteer leaders have collected over 3.1 million food items for our neighbors living with hunger.
For more information about the Scouting for Food drive, contact Birdsong at 972-238-8870.
Posted by Mark Macesich at 2:59 PM (E-mail this entry)
Richardson’s J. J. Pearce High School is one of 44 high schools in the state named to the Texas Business & Education Coalition honor roll, which recognizes schools for academic performance, reports correspondent Marilyn Moore, English chair at Pearce.
“This is big!” Karen Neal, high school principal, said of the award.
“We are quite honored to receive this award because of its prestige and because we didn’t apply for it. They selected Pearce.”
-Photo submitted by Marilyn Moore
Karen Neal, center, principal of Pearce High School, attended the Texas Business & Education Coalition awards event with Pearce’s Mary Eisenmann, left, Marilyn Moore, Donna Anthony and Adrienne Williamson.
Getting named a TBEC honor roll school is considered the most prestigious academic award given in Texas. “Schools get on our honor roll the old fashioned way – they earn it,” said Jack Lowe, the organization’s business co-chair.
RISD’s Parkhill Junior High School and Plano ISD’s Renner Middle School also were honored. RISD’s Brentfield, Canyon Creek, Forestridge, MST Magnet, Mohawk, Northrich, Prairie Creek, Prestonwood and Yale elementary schools also were named.
TBEC identifies honor roll schools by analyzing three years of performance data for every public school in Texas.
Look for more in the Page 2 "Spotlight" of the Feb. 10 edition of Richardson Neighbors.
Posted by Mark Macesich at 1:33 PM (E-mail this entry)
-Submitted photo by Trish Watson
Actors Jan Norton and Rocky Muether in Death Knocks a Homer.
There was another murder in the stacks of the Richardson Public Library on a recent Saturday night, reports correspondent Janet Vance.
The police weren’t called because the victim was an actor with the Murder Mystery Players and the crime was the scene of the annual fund-raising event at the library for the Richardson Adult Literacy Center.
Over 160 amateur sleuths attended the murder mystery, Death Knocks a Homer, to solve the crime, win prizes, and enjoy a great evening.
The performance featured Bill Keffler, Richardson city manager.
And, no, he was not the victim.
See Vance's full report in the Feb. 10 edition of Richardson Neighbors.
Along with some terrific photos by Trish Watson.
Posted by Mark Macesich at 11:20 AM (E-mail this entry)
Musical selections paying tribute to the beauty and love of romance will be performed by Ivy Camerata Orchestra 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Charles W. Eisemann Center, 2351 Performance Drive.
Selections include Gustav Mahler’s Adagietto from Symphony No. 5, Con Te Partiro by Francesco Sartori, One Hand, One Heart from West Side Story and Aria from Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 by Heitor Villa-Lobos.
The program also features several Ivy soloists performing the Hummel Viola Concerto and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.
Tickets are $8 adults and $5 seniors and students. To purchase tickets, call 972-744-4650 or visit www.eisemanncenter.com.
The Ivy Camerata Orchestra is made of young musicians, ages 14 to 20, from the Richardson, Dallas, Plano, Allen, McKinney and Carrollton areas. Many are All-Region and All-State members. For more information, visit www.ivyorchestra.org.
Posted by Angela Chambers at 10:15 AM (E-mail this entry)
The Merriman Park Elementary PTA is hosting the 2007 auction and dinner “Giddy Up” 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Eddie Deen's Ranch, 944 S. Lamar St. in downtown Dallas.
Auction items include trips to Rome, Vancouver and a Florida beach vacation. Live music will be provided by the Lake Highlands band, Wes Niles and the Texas Skeeters.
To purchase tickets and receive more information, contact D'Lane Maselunas at 214-343-4117 or dlane@maselunas.com.
Posted by Angela Chambers at 7:21 AM (E-mail this entry)
They may walk, jog, hop, skip or jump there, but every visitor to White Rock Lake will have the opportunity to learn more about personal health when they stop by Medical City's Ask a Specialist health information station, writes correspondent Ryan Eason from the North Dallas-Lake Highlands area hospital
The information station will operate from 8 to 11 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month, starting Feb. 10 and continuing through June.
The health information station will be set up on the south side of West Lawther Drive between Branchfield Drive and Fisher Road.
Posted by Mark Macesich at 5:06 AM (E-mail this entry)
