Welcome to Dear Edwina

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Every year in the spring, FHTMS puts on a musical.  Although many students participate in drama so they can learn to act, acting is only one of the many jobs connected with theater production. Other areas of activity include technical stage work, stage managing, costumes, make-up, etc. Participating in drama is a unique way of working with others. Everyone who is interested can participate in some way.

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Play Summary

It's a beautiful summer day in Paw Paw, Michigan , and all the neighborhood kids are on their way to Edwina Spoonapple's house. Edwina, creator and star of the Dear Edwina show, anxiously awaits her cast and crew, as they introduced themselves to us in "Paw Paw Michigan ." Finally the kids arrive at Edwina's ready to start the weekly episode of The Dear Edwina Show, where folk from around the world send letters to Edwina Spoonapple in hopes of receiving her invaluable advice.

Today Edwina is especially excited and even more bossy than usual; the talent scout from the Kalamazoo Advice-A Palooza Festival (the biggest advice-giving convention ever!) will see the show; their act might have a chance to fill in the slot abandoned by Dr. Joyce Brothers. Alas - right before showtime one of Edwina's cast members breaks his leg. Who will fill in for this all-important episode? Bobby, the new next-door neighbor, arrives with brownies from his mom. Edwina - after introducing her siblings playing drums and piano - instantly drafts him to perform. Bobby, however, is immobilized by stage fright.

Edwina, crestfallen, explains herself in "Up On the Fridge." She tells Bobby about the wonderful accomplishments of her three siblings, and their ribbons or report cards tacked up on her parents' fridge. Her talent, however, has no tangible award - except for the chance to go to Kalamazoo Advice-A Palooza Festival. Bobby is convinced. He joins the show.

The show begins with the full cast, a wheelbarrow full of letters, and "Dear Edwina," promising with song and dance that their marvelous Edwina can answer any problem posed. The first letter is introduced with "Here Comes A Letter" and a cast member Scott's bumbling admission for his adoration of Edwina. In "Aphrodite" the letter writer explains how her brother is a picky eater; she begs for Edwina's advice. Edwina invites the rock group Susie and the Napkins to explain that it's not what one eats but what one says that allows one to be polite. They sing it in "Say No Thank You."

Becky, cheerleader of the Paw Paw Wildcats, gives "Becky's cheer" to remind the talent scout from Kalamazoo Advice-A Palooza Festival that Edwina is the best. "Another Letter" is sung in preparation to move on. Scott, however, has a special letter that he wants Edwina to read. She chooses a different letter and in "Abigail" the letter's author, tells us of the woes concerning her obnoxious brother. Edwina illustrates a solution with the story of her Scary Uncle Vladimir from Transylvania in "Frankenguest" where Frankenguest is just about the rudest guest at a birthday party one could have.

In order to choose the next letter, cast member Kelli performs the "Poshkonozovich Dance." In this next letter/song "Carrie" tells about her monstrous lack of knowledge in setting a dining table. Edwina give her solution in "Ode to Oneida " where she explains how to set a table.

With a big bow and "Time For Intermission" the company takes a break from The Dear Edwina Show by the lemonade stand. Scott again tries to get Edwina to read his special letter to no avail. As the company looks for the talent scout, they discover that she's been sleeping!

All are called back to the second half of The Dear Edwina Show with "Here Come More Letters." The first letter/ song is "Periwinkle." Periwinkle is very blue because she must move to a place where no one knows her and she is very shy. Edwina replies with "Hola, Lola" which gives the lesson that anyone can make a person feel welcome in a new and strange place just by saying hello. With the end of "Hola Lola" comes "Becky's Second Cheer" where Becky tries to wake up the lethargic talent scout.

Again Scott tries to get Edwina to read his special letter. Another letter/song saves her. In "Ziggy," a steel band has lost all the money it's raised to go to Jamaica . In "Put It In The Piggy" Edwina explains the benefits of resisting the temptation to spend foolhardy and to save, save, save! With "Thanks for Coming" The Dear Edwina Show ends - or tries to end. Scott insists on reading/singing his own special letter in "Edwina" which is about - what else? A boy who is in love with girl who pays him no mind. Edwina wants to dismiss his pleas but the company supports Scott and Edwina is momentarily swept away as the company gives its audience their second and true farewell in "Thanks for Coming 2."

All is interrupted by a call from the talent scout. She wants Scott to perform the National Anthem at the Kalamazoo Advice-A Palooza Festival. The rest of the company, including Edwina, did not make the festival. Edwina is crushed, despite parting words of support from her exiting cast members. Once alone, she reprises "Up On The Fridge" which is interrupted by her little sister, Katie. Katie has run away from the Summer Math Olympics. It turns out, she has been slighted by her jealous competitors. In "Sing Your Own Song" Edwina gives Katie the advice to be proud and remain herself despite people trying to knock her down. Katie tells Edwina to take her own advice - not to let the talent scout knock her down!

"Up On The Fridge" is reprised. Edwina expresses that what really matters is not a prize one can hold but one's family, friends, and aspirations. Lastly, the whole company sings "Hola Lola" as an encore for Grandma and her video camera.

Please contact director Kelly Kendall (kkendall@sbschools.net) if you have specific questions or concerns about the play.

For comments or questions about this web page please click here Barbara Gill
or write to bgill@sbschools.net

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Last edited 04/15/2008