MICHAEL C. UPTON
Review Correspondent
Irving Gonzalez was made for his new role as Ephrata High School’s theater director.
The 40-year old Gonzalez has spent most of his life on the stage and he is now doing what he always wanted to do — work with children of all ages who are interested in acting.
“I’m originally from Berks County and I’ve done musical theater all my life,” said Gonzalez, taking time from a recent rehearsal for school’s spring musical, “Into the Woods.” “I had a great mentor growing up in high school. My fondest memories are in my high school shows.”
After graduating from Reading High School, Gonzalez attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. During his time in the Big Apple, he studied with teachers from Juilliard and members of New York opera companies. After his formal schooling, Gonzalez hit the road touring in several shows, like “Aladdin” and “The Wind in the Willows.” He doesn’t have a favorite role in his performance repertoire; when pressed into answering the question, Gonzalez related fond memories of portraying Don Lockwood in “Singin in the Rain,” the part made famous by Gene Kelly. When he returned to the area he found a home at the Ephrata Performing Arts Center.
In 2005, Gonzalez auditioned for the EPAC performance of “Evita.” He started with the organization as a chorus member and eventually took on the roles of assistant director and director.
“I’m very fortunate. I started with EPAC in 2005 as a performer and (Ed Fernandez) gave me a chance to choreograph a small show and then it built from there,” said Gonzalez. “This was just a natural transition for me. We can really work together to promote the arts. It is really based on mentoring and educating (students) to provide them with the tools they need.”
During the summer months, Gonzalez has run EPAC’s four-week Center Stage Theater Camp. He also directs and choreographs the company’s Kids 4 Kids productions. This year’s production of “Annie Jr.” was a big hit and Gonzalez hinted at a possibly bigger show for 2014.
“Having done the junior shows at EPAC, some students came to me and told me there might be an opening at the high school,” said Gonzalez.
It was true. This is Gonzalez’s first year at the high school and his first show, the play “The Miracle Worker,” took him out of his element.
“I’ve had my first opportunity to direct my first non-musical performance ever, here at Ephrata,” said Gonzalez. “It was really a challenge, because oftentimes in musical theater we rely on the song and dance to tell the story. In a drama, you really have to be clear with the story line and its subtext. Simplifying things was a real challenge, but it allowed me to experiment and explore an avenue as a director I was not used to. I think that having the dialogue with the actors has allowed me to not shy away from directing plays.”
Having good dialogue between all members of the production is important to Gonzalez. He finds the interpersonal connections the most rewarding part of working with students.
“You know when a person connects. You know when someone is genuine,” he said. “The most important part of what I do is just being a teacher and a mentor, how I bond with the students. We are making this not just what the director expects, but we allow the kids to take ownership of the process and in the character. We give the students the freedom to discuss where they want the characters to go.”
He says the approach has allowed many students to “come out of their shell.” Gonzalez likes the students to explore the question of why. For example, why is the character doing the things he or she does? Or, why does a character act a certain way?
“You have to provide a fun and supportive atmosphere that (students) can take away the feeling of being a part of something that is grand,” said Gonzalez. “It is so important for everyone to know they are a part of it, that there’s no favorite, that there (are) no egos, that we promote a safe and supportive environment for them.”
“Into the Woods”
“This has been a real journey,” said Gonzalez. “My hope was to do a big musical and we were thinking of ‘Suessical.’ When we had auditions, we had less than 30 people, so I really had to regroup with the production team and sort of start all over. That put us a month behind schedule. We really didn’t start working on this until late January.”
The team decided to produce Stephan Sondheim’s “Into the Woods,” a tale of fairy tales, which balances morals with merriment as a group of characters (Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, etc.) travel into the woods in search of “ever after.” The entire on-stage cast is comprised of 26 students.
“What made me choose ‘Into the Woods’ was that our cast has such a strong acting and vocal background. I thought, ‘I have to pick a show that will really showcase these actors.’”
“Into the Woods” was always one of Gonzalez’s favorite shows. The story tackles themes like friendship, loyalty, commitment, consequences, and responsibility; this is why he wanted to produce this show using high school-aged players.
“This is the right show to do at this time for these students,” said Gonzalez. “This will make an impression on the high school. It asks, ‘what happens to the ever after in happily ever after.’ I didn’t want to focus too much on the darkness, but I did want to show the lessons learned.”
He wants students who see the show to ask themselves how they can apply the lessons told in “Into the Woods” to their everyday life.
“Into the Woods” had its Broadway première in 1987, featuring a score by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. The show has gone on to be one of the most revived of the composer’s work in both New York and London, with countless regional and amateur productions around the world.
Loosely based on Bruno Bettelheim’s, the characters finish Act One with the resolution of their tales, Act Two highlights the problems that occur when their wishes come true. A highly moral yet funny musical ‘Into the Woods’ is one of Sondheim’s most accessible musicals and an enjoyable show for all the family.
The cast for EHS’s production of “Into The Woods” includes:
Narrator/Mysterious Man:…Laird Farrington
Jack:…………………………..Ethan Fasnacht
Baker: ….………………….Brandon Straley
Cinderella’s Stepmother: Hannah Matangos
Cinderella’s Stepsisters: Melissa Kreider and Storm Wright
Little Red Ridinghood:…..Rachel Holochuck
Rapunzel’s Prince/Wolf:… Alec Lechlitner
Cinderella’s Prince:………Landis Wenger
Jack’s Mother:…………….Emily Vogt
Baker’s Wife:…………….Georgia Miller
Cinderella’s Father:……..Joseph Mateyak
Witch:……………………..Mackenzie Ruth
Cinderella:……………….Hannah Smith
Rapunzel:…………………Mary Covert
Steward:…………………..Nicolas Stauffer
Granny:…….………………Cheyenne Angelo
Forest Villagers/Fairy Ensemble: Sarah Dover, Katelyn Fox, Erin Martin, Isabele Castle, Elizabeth Kreider, Natalia Roth, Samantha Moore
The Ephrata High School performers will present three showings of “Into the Woods,” in Hammon Auditorium starting this Friday April 19 at 7:30 p.m. and again on Saturday for two shows at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Adult admission is $10 and admission for children and students is $7. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office in auditorium lobby between 5:30 – 8 p.m. each night this week, by calling 721-1592 or by visiting easdpa.org.

By: LUCY RICCOMINI Review Staff, Staff Writer

The Ephrata Middle School eighth grade Boston Club trip will still take place in early May, though safety will be addressed at an upcoming meeting.

"Student safety is the highest priority," said Stephanie Gingrich, the school’s director of community relations.

The regularly scheduled parent meeting takes place April 18 at 7 p.m. at the middle school auditorium.

"Organizers will review with parents the safety information taught to the students and will encourage parents again to review the information with their students," said Gingrich. "At any time throughout the trip, trip organizers have the authority to modify the itinerary or terminate the trip if they believe student safety is being compromised," she continued.

Michael Miller, eighth grade language arts and student council advisor at the school, coordinates the Boston trip each year. Throughout the year, participating students raise funds for the weekend educational trip that focuses on language arts education.

Students will travel to Boston and surrounding cities May 3-6.

By: ANDY FASNACHT Review Editor afasnacht.eph@lnpnews.com, Staff Writer

A common theoretical discussion point in downtown Ephrata appears to be a reality.

The Ephrata Merchants Association announced Monday plans for a new open air market downtown called "Ephrata Whistle Stop Market — Celebrating Local Taste, Community and Neighbors."

The Merchants are currently seeking a variety of vendors and locally-grown musicians and entertainment for the upcoming market to debut on Saturday, May 18 from 10a.m.- 2 p.m. at the hub of Ephrata’s Whistle Stop Plaza.

Speaking on behalf of the Merchants, Stephanie Harley was asked what sparked the return of a market to Ephrata, with this one, as open air, possibly the first of its kind in downtown. She first mentioned the new plaza which they believe has great potential.

"They put money into it (the plaza)…it’s time to rally downtown," Harley said. "With the slogan ‘Celebrating Local Taste, Community and Neighbors,’ we want people to be able to walk down the street and see people you know, and for this to be a hub."

By: GARY P. KLINGER Review Correspondent, Staff Writer

This past week leaders at the Ephrata Area School District have found themselves dealing with rumors regarding the future of the district’s library program.

Those rumors may have stemmed from the recent announcement that elementary school librarian Mary Ann Hagen would retire at the end of the 2012-2013 school year. When that opening was not immediately posted on the district website, district officials feel that may have started a rumor that the position might not be filled.

Instead, said Ephrata Assistant Superintendent Dr. Brian Troop, the district instead took the opportunity of Hagen’s retirement to carefully review staffing levels, student needs and evaluate what was in the overall best interest of the district-wide library program.

"The district administration has completed a preliminary evaluation of library staffing and is pleased to share that we have decided to fill the upcoming retirement with a certified librarian," stated Troop. "Misinformation and rumor circulating in the community regarding elementary school library access and staffing had people unduly concerned. In this situation, we followed our standard protocol of examining current programs and considering multiple options for improvement. We believe we owe it to our students and our community to take time to fully consider opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of services."

By: TIFFANY WOODALL Review Staff twoodall.eph@lnpnews.com, Staff Writer

Local photographer Dave Ihde smiles with his wife, Debbie, at his 25 N. Charles St. studio, which was recently closed due to Ihde's illness.

"First you cry, then you decide to fight or sit around and wait to die," said Dave Ihde of his Nov. 29 diagnosis with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). "I’ve decided to fight."

Commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Ihde’s battle pits his motor neurons against him, interrupting the signals sent from his brain to his voluntary muscles. His first symptom occurred in July 2012 when he noticed he was slurring his speech, he said. A month later, he started dragging his left foot. Now, his speech is labored and his foot is supported by a leg brace, called a Mofo, which serves to protect him from tripping or falling.

A seemingly simple contraption, the Mofo costs $1,500. And Ihde’s medication, Rilutek, which is the only FDA-approved drug prescribed to help slow the decline of symptoms associated with ALS, costs $1,400 per month. Fortunately, Ihde doesn’t pay a dime.

By: STAFF REPORT The Ephrata Review, Staff Writer

As Denver’s Bruce Waskowicz crossed the finish line in the Boston Marathon on Monday, he initially had two different emotions.

First, he was miserable after having just run 26.2 miles. Eventually he had a sense of elation because he finished his first Boston Marathon.

Quickly and sadly, however, the race became insignificant as two bombs exploded near the finish line which killed three and wounded more than 170 others.

The blasts went off just over four hours into the marathon, and it was only a short time earlier that Waskowicz and his brother-in-law Jeff Shue had finished the race, in 3:40.49 and 3:45, respectively.

Having received some water and a bag of food after going through the finish area, and then picking up their belongings from buses, Bruce met his wife, Mary, while their party was within a couple blocks of the bomb explosions.

"There was a big building between us and where the explosion actually took place," said Waskowicz. "After the second one, we were praying that it was something innocent, but it didn’t sound innocent. Then we saw people who had just finished, and what had been a very slow move through where you got your blankets and a bag of food, we saw people moving very quickly through and that was sort of our clue that something had happened."

Be sure to pick up a copy of next weeek’s Ephrata Review to see the next section of photos in the monthly "It’s All About You" contest.

This month’s theme is Easter/spring and there will be two full pages of colorful photos. A winner will also be named and they will receive a $25 gift certificate to a local restaurant.

It’s also now time to start getting your photos of mom together for the month of May.

"Celebrating Mom" is set to run in the May 29 edition.

By: TIFFANY WOODALL Review Staff twoodall.eph@lnpnews.com, Staff Writer

A horse pulling an unoccupied buggy became out of control at 4:30 p.m. April 4, running over its owner/operator and fleeing west on Main Street, according to Ephrata Police.

"The owner of the horse was leading it on foot in an attempt to calm the horse, as it had become spooked for an unknown reason," said Ephrata Police Sergeant Philip Snavely. "No one else was injured in this accident."

The police were first dispatched to a vehicle accident in the first block of East Main Street. The horse broke free from its owner, Dorkis Reiff, who fell to the ground in the area near the Re-Uzit Shop.

According to police, Reiff was transported to Ephrata Community Hospital for treatment of her injuries.

The horse continued pulling the buggy west through the square until it struck two vehicles, which were stopped in traffic facing east in the 100 block of West Main Street. Police said after the impact, the buggy detached from the horse and the horse continued west, striking an additional vehicle.

The people have spoken!

More than 200 votes were cast for the People’s Choice award in our "Oh, Those Pets!" photo contest, published in the March 27 Review. Readers had two weeks to mail in a vote for their favorite photo out of the nearly 200 published.

And the winner of this pet election are Barb Hoffman’s cats Bella and Beau. Barb, of New Holland, wins a $25 gift certificate to Kyma Seafood Grill in Stevens. Congratulations, Barb, and thank you to all who took the time to vote!

As a thank you for all the participation, we did two random drawings of all the voters for free one-year subscriptions to the Review. Those winners are Logan Kaelin of Akron and David Collins of Newmanstown.

If you missed our special 10-page photo album of local pets, extra copies are available at our Ephrata office.

And please send your spring/Easter photos for this month’s It’s All About You photo contest. Deadline is next Tuesday, April 16. More PETS, page A17

By: GARY P. KLINGER Review Correspondent, Staff Writer

The question of where the borough skatepark will be relocated since it was displaced from the pool complex two years ago appears to be answered.

On Monday night, Ephrata Borough Council approved a waiver of planning for the proposed parking lot and skate park pad at the Ephrata Public Library. This move was made conditional on staff providing a copy of the design plan to the Ephrata Borough Planning Commission.

The skate park is intended to replace the one previously located on the lower level (former teen center) behind the pool house at the Ephrata Community Pool. That skate park was closed in 2011 as part of the recent renovation project at the pool.

The skatepark is planned for the Cocalico Creek side of the property and construction is slated to begin mid- to late summer.

Library director Penny Talbert was asked how this whole project unfolded.

"The Borough was looking for a place for the skatepark. There were several sites they were considering, including the library," Talbert said. "At a meeting where this was discussed there was one neighborhood with a petition about it not going there and it was clear everyone thought it would come with so many problems.