Honoring musical talent

On March 8, 9 and 10, Cape Girardeau Central High School will present "Fiddler on the Roof" in the Central Junior High auditorium. The production is a collaborative effort with Central's Red Dagger Drama Club and the Central High Music Department. In this, our centennial year, we are honored to recognize the rich tradition of musical theater at Central High School.

The first musical, "Pickles," was presented in 1926 under the direction of Miss Frieda Rieck. The following year, "The Belle of Barcelona" was presented on the New Broadway Theatre stage. In 1967, a biannual musical tradition was initiated under the direction of Judy Williams, Mel Gilhaus, Madelyn DeJournett and Bill Ewing. I had the great fortune to play in "The Sound of Music," "South Pacific" and "Oklahoma" in the '70s, under the direction of Mel Gilhaus.

We are blessed to have the talents of several community players -- most who are Central alumni. These folks have been invaluable in their assistance with the teaching aspect of a high school musical.

We would especially like to invite any former Cape Central Pit Orchestra musicians to opening night March 8, where you will be recognized before we begin the entr'acte for the second part of the show. We always know who you are because you hang around until we finish the exit music!

Rock on.

Steve Schaffner, orchestra director,

Central class of 1977, Cape Girardeau