'The Crucible' earns ovations

For Sisters High School's performing arts department, the word on the street is all positive. Gary Bowne and his drama students are quickly receiving a reputation for staging near-professional productions.

Bowne's students last week finished a four-performance run of Arthur Miller's chilling historical drama "The Crucible," and audiences expressed their appreciation with rousing rounds of applause.

By the third performance on Friday night, folks from Bend had heard some Sisters people talking about the play. They were convinced about its quality and journeyed to Sisters to see the students in action. They were not disappointed. One Bend attendee remarked that he has seen the play many times, and Sisters' production ranks at the top of his list.

The students captured the personae of their roles naturally, as real people rather than actors.

Both superintendent Ted Thonstad and his wife and principal Bob Macauley and his wife attended Friday's performance.

Macauley could not say enough about both Bowne and the students.

"I was just excited to see the talent and then how true they were to Arthur Miller's work being presented, but I was really impressed with the students' work," he said. "I couldn't be any happier and just want to congratulate Gary (Bowne), as well. What a fantastic job he did, garnering all the support he did. There were so many people involved behind the scenes and then, to put on a production of that quality, I was just really proud of the kids and proud of what Gary was able to accomplish in such a short time."

Glenda James, whose son Kanoa played John Proctor, was one of the behind-the-scenes helpers to whom Macauley referred.

"I am just so excited that he (Bowne) was brought here," she said.

When Kanoa's family moved to Sisters, there was no drama program.

"I was really disappointed because my son was really interested in drama," James said.

For James having Bowne join the Sisters High School team is a dream come true.

"Drama is so important to kids. It shows them confidence and poise and every thing else. It will carry with them throughout their lives no matter what field they will go into," James said.

Students' dedication to the performance was outstanding. Cast members put in 65-plus hours in rehearsal time beyond the hours that were required from each to memorize his or her lines.

"What a commitment. They get no grade. They're given nothing but the pleasure and they love it," said Fred Woodworth, whose son Nathan played Reverend Parris.

"And they're not getting any slack from the teachers," James added.

Wednesday's opening performance was energetic, and Thursday's stepped up a notch or two. Characterizations "were spotless," said director Bowne. The path was well laid for Friday and Saturday's sterling presentations.

Kanoa James as the stern farmer John Proctor played his role with bluster and intensity.

"You've been living the lines with such fury," Bowne said.

Lily Hicks convincingly played the role of Abigail Williams, the alluring teenager who, because of her infatuation with John Proctor, is responsible for all that transpires in the drama. Marissa Tosello captured the role of Proctor's virtuous wife Elizabeth with subtle intensity, and Judge Danforth, Nolan Titchener, was credible as he molded the law to build a case for the absurd.

Bowne showed his gift of inspiring and bringing people together during his pre-performance rally with his actors. Asking them to form a circle and join hands, they repeated after him: "Some people capture our souls in such divine ways. They become a beacon of hope. Their shining belief in us helps us to believe in ourselves."