A brief from the Pine View Yearbook 2012 about Variety Show by Samantha Glover.
Hours of decorating, bags filled with popcorn, and a slew of talented students went into producing The Greatest Show on Earth. The three Creative Directors, Sophomores Manuela Baron, Sanchita Mukherjee, and Isabella Genta, and two Technology Directors, Sophomores Henry Gordon and Harvey Clarke, based the concept of ‘Pine View Brothers and Company’ on the experience of living in a circus town. Alongside these long range plans, several last minute decisions presented challenges, but with a dedicated support team and a little help from Starbucks everything came together.
“I ended up painting the backdrop during the last week before the show. Thanks to understanding teachers and the help of some of the announcers and other stage hands, I got it finished and hung in time,” said Genta.
As well as helping with the backdrop, announcers and stagehands also helped with the baking, set up, and clean up. During intermission, the announcers and stagehands helped to sell refreshments and ensure that the show, as well as everything backstage, was running smoothly.
“Being a part of the show meant a lot of responsibility, but it was great in the end to see how well it all worked out,” said Sophomore Taylor Press.
Creativity from a variety of ages was also expressed through a diverse array of class acts. From the freshmen class skit, which made parodied the rationale behind our lack of high school sports, to the “Nickelodeon of the 1990s” senior class video, the classes utilized humor and entertainment to engage the audience.
“Having been a director last year, being a part of the class act gave me the ability to still be part of the show in a different way. Although working on the act was a mix of stress and memorable moments, it was a blast,” said Junior Alexis Dinenberg.
When the the curtains were drawn as the show began, the stress and anxiousness of the bis show was left behind. From the announcer’s jokes at the beginning of each act, to alumni Alek Senenoi surprising his sixth grade brother, Aurek Senenoi, the hard work by the Class of 2014 paid off.
At the end of the Saturday Night’s show, the announcers presented Baron, Mukherjee, and Genta with a giant cupcake designed to look like a circus tent.
“The directors have done so much these past few months. Making this cake was the least we could do,” said Sophomore Charles Henderson.
“The Ringing Brothers would attest to the fact that “The Greatest Show on Earth” did not happen by accident. I was Born in Baraboo, WI, the winter home of the Ringlings, and I have visited the Circus World Museum there several times, so I am well aware of the planning, teamwork, and practice that went into each of the shows. “The Greatest Talent Show on Earth” may not have required over three-hundred work horses to set up, but it was no accident either. It has been my great pleasure to watch the Directors grow during the course of producing the production: their organizational skills, communication skills, and leadership. They have done an amazing job!” – Mr. Chris Lenerz