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When high school senior Nick Mitchell sang, danced and strutted across the stage at Northampton's Roxy Theater alongside more than 30 of his classmates this weekend, it proved that friendship and the lure of ...

[Wow]

There's more drama off stage than on stage up in Northampton. Seriously, though, this was a good story, and worth telling. Hats off to all of the students for rallying around their classmate and teacher and being so supportive. It's very uplifting to read a story like this.

[shelley brown]

Kudos to the students of Northampton High School! What a great story of support and friendship. I would like to point out one glaring error in Michael Duck's reporting, however.
If Mr. Duck and his editor actually read their own newspaper, who is one of the genrous sponsors of the Freddy Awards, they would see that Northampton High School is participating in the program this year. Students from Northampton are rehearshing for our opening number, and the cast will be in the audience on May 22 to cheer them on. It was Northampton's request to not be evaulated this year, and we agreed. It was the school's desire..and ours.. to respect Nick's privacy at such a challenging time in his life, which is the most important thing of all.
The teamwork and friendship that goes into putting on a high school musical is extraordinary, as Northampton's kids have demonstrated so wonderfully this year. They are an example to us all.

[Bravo]

What an amazing story! Congratulations to all the Northampton High School students on and off stage! While the Freddy is a great honor to any school, it would not do enough justice to these kids! Stand up and take a bow! You deserve it!

[Momma Stine]

To all of Northampton's drama kids-
You have always made me proud, this just shows the rest of the world how great you are!
Momma Stine

[medusa syndrome]

what the hell has this got to do with the WII console......

[Compassionate Soul]

What a wonderful heart-warming story! So glad to see a story full of love and hope about todays youths instead of just all the negative things! May God be with you all!

[MOM OF 4]

I went to see the play and it was great. You could tell the kids worked hard and it paid off. I hope that they continue their success.

[Betty]

What a wonderful story and one worth telling. Congratulations to all...Bravo!!!

[Proud Drama Mom]

The Northampton Drama Club has definitely shown what TRUE FRIENDSHIP is truely all about this year!! Seeing this club work together through all the hardships this year with the Spring Musical has been awesome. It was like an emotional roller coaster in our house day after day after day. But they all stuck together and did a fantastic job with all 4 of their shows!!! It is one "family" I am so proud to say that our daughter is a part of. Congrats to all of you!!!! May God Continue To Bless and Be With You Both, Nick & Beth.

[oh_really]

I'd love to see a story on anyone else who thinks the judging is "unfair", to use the article's word. After a few years of watching the "Freddys" it would appear that big, standard repetoire shows from schools willing to plunk down tens of thousands of dollars for a given production are favored over small-cast, less standard shows. I do have to question the choice of "High School Musical", though...there are better shows to do.

[Hoofty]

I think the amazing thing about this story is that so many times we talk about the youth of today being spoiled and not making good decisions. The "kids" (and I say that with the utmost respect) made a decision that was unselfish and extremely giving. There are many adults that would've made the decision to replace him and move on.

Congrats to the Northampton Drama Club. These studends exemplify friendship and caring. We could learn from this.

[PSU GRAD]

Congrats Northampton Drama Club! You make me feel so proud to be a grad. I wasn't in drama, but in chorus, show choir, and ensamble back in the day. We worked closely with the drama club and most students did double duty. It is hard work to be a part of these clubs and I learned more there than in the classrooms some days... and this is just one incredible example. Thanks so much for a great story.

[Drama Papa]

oh_really wrote:

I'd love to see a story on anyone else who thinks the judging is "unfair", to use the article's word. After a few years of watching the "Freddys" it would appear that big, standard repetoire shows from schools willing to plunk down tens of thousands of dollars for a given production are favored over small-cast, less standard shows. I do have to question the choice of "High School Musical", though...there are better shows to do.

Thats part of the drama. the drama club's 1st choice wasnt HSM. It was Pippin' then chicago then cabaret but the director thought chicago was better than pippin ( i agree) and when Chicago was at the state theatre in the same time pd. it had to be changed and the school not happy with cabaret and all after they bough the right to cabret they had very little little money left...Hense the 1 act verson of HSM and who CARES! HSM was an awesome show and i believe they pulled it off wonderfully! You some of you only knew what these kids went through

Grow up

[oh_really]

Drama Papa wrote:

<quoted text>
Thats part of the drama. the drama club's 1st choice wasnt HSM. It was Pippin' then chicago then cabaret but the director thought chicago was better than pippin ( i agree) and when Chicago was at the state theatre in the same time pd. it had to be changed and the school not happy with cabaret and all after they bough the right to cabret they had very little little money left...Hense the 1 act verson of HSM and who CARES! HSM was an awesome show and i believe they pulled it off wonderfully! You some of you only knew what these kids went through
Grow up

Well...

I have to say as a music educator and parent that both Chicago and Cabaret are chock full of adult themes (sex, cross-dressing); Cabaret demands an on-stage orchestra (all-girl or guys in drag)which most schools don't have the numbers in their instrumental program to do, and has the whole Nazi repression undercurrent going on. As such, I don't think either of those would be appropriate for a HS production, regardless of the depth of talent at a given HS. There are PLENTY of other shows that can properly educate the kids AND fill the seats.

Pippin is popular and might have been a better choice, depending again on the depth of talent available. It sounds to me like indeed that the drama at NHS was more offstage than on.

[Lienn Cunningham]

this car brokens down to fast

[Denise]

It was so refreshing to read a positive article about young people. The students at NHS demonstrated selfelssness and maturity that ought to be held up as a model for all youth. Thanks, Morning Call, for giving this story the headlines. Best of everything to all of you at NHS, especially Nick, for whom I am sure all will work out just fine.

[me here]

This show was wonderful. After the kids asked how they could do this on the stage after seeing the movie a hundred times, They loved it. They still are talking about it. And I must say that the girls who played Sharpay and Gabriella have amazing voices. I hope they continue on with that.

[nick]

did not make it. www.clarkwarehouse.com