Waukon High School to present "State Fair" musical production this weekend

The Waukon High School Music Department has selected "State Fair" as this year's musical production under the direction of Sarah J. Palmer and assistant director Louise Wild. Three performances are being planned for Thursday, November 2 at 7 p.m., Saturday, November 4 at 7 p.m., and a matinee Sunday, November 5 at 1 p.m. The performances will be held at the Waukon High School auditorium.

Imagine that it is the late Summer of 1946 on an Iowa family farm - the Frake family farm in Brunswick, Iowa to be exact. The Frakes are preparing to leave for the Iowa State Fair. Father, Abel (played by Nathan Smith), is confident his prize boar, Blue Boy, will win a blue ribbon, but neighbor, Dave Miller (played by Michael Benson), isn't so sure. He makes a $5 bet that something is bound to go wrong for at least one member of the family. Abel accepts the bet.

Abel's wife, Melissa (played by Katelyn Leiran), has her heart set on a blue ribbon for her pickles and mincemeat. Son, Wayne (played by Micah Treptau), is disappointed that his girlfriend, Eleanor (played by Emily Kolsrud), has to stay at home.

Daughter, Margy (played by Carley Sweeney), is feeling down and doesn't understand why. Her suitor, Harry (played by Ryan VanderVelden), pressures her for an answer to his long-standing marriage proposal; she agrees to give him an answer when she returns home.

Additional cast members include Pat (Denzel Decker), Emily (Oonagh Ahouse), Jeanne (Emily Kolsrud), Vivian (Leslie Halverson), Gus (Steven Shogren), Uncle Sam (Brennan Bedarski), Balloon Vendor (Megan O’Neill), Cotton Candy Vendor (Aislinn Goettel), Hank (Robbie Drew), Charlie (Noah Schellsmidt), Lem (Sean Liddiard), Clay (Aiden Jones) and Violet (Bailey Sherman), with other supporting roles, chorus members, and community children.

Mrs. Palmer and Mrs. Wild have been working with the cast and crew since August to bring another musical to community members, who should be ready to see much more dancing and get caught up in the romance of this year’s musical. The musical numbers include such tunes as “It’s a Grand Night For Singing,” “State Fair,” and “All I Owe Ioway”! The musical "State Fair" is based off the book by Tom Briggs and Louis Mattioli, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and music by Richard Rodgers.

For ticket information and purchases, call 563-568-8670 or email waukonmusical@live.com.