Hauser’s ‘Casablanca’ mixes film, live action

KOSEY CORNER
How many of you can remember, many years ago and with fondness, the presentation of a musical at Hauser Junior High School? For those of you who do remember, it may conjure up memories of the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas.

The operettas The Mikado, Pirates of Penzance, Patience and H.M.S. Pinafore were presented on a rotating basis to the delight of many audiences, although I always felt the students had a bit of trouble understanding the works of G and S at their stages of life.

Times change and so have the Hauser productions. The musicals have been more familiar to the students and the plays are taking on a different form. As a testimony to the fact, on March 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. the school will be presenting Casablanca, which has been said to be by many one of the best films, in play form.

Hauser Junior high is at 65 Woodside Road in Riverside. Admission to the play is free and all are welcome.

The Hauser rendition will take a twist never before done at the school with the use of actual film footage shown on three huge movie screens. According to David Mason, Hauser teacher and one of the play’s directors, the excerpts try to recreate the feel of the film. It will begin with a version of a Movietone newsreel and use camera angles similar to those used in the film.

For those who are aficionados of the film, you will be treated to seeing the Paris flashback scenes all filmed for the occasion.

A team of student actors and stagehands went offsite, on location in Riverside and at the Museum of Science and Industry, filming in black and white for the flashbacks. Mason said the biggest filming challenge was around the 1940s train at the museum where, although indoors, they had to make it look like it was raining.

The directors, Hauser teachers David Mason and Karina Koncius are very excited about the production which includes strong lead actors and a “huge cast” of extras. They have even promised a surprise at the end of the show, but I’m not going to tell – you’ll have to go see for yourself.

“Here’s looking at you kid(s).”