Ringgold presenting ‘Schoolhouse Rock!’

By ERIC SEIVERLING

eseiverling@yourmvi.com

Ringgold High School’s upcoming musical will allow its cast — as well as its audience — to relive their younger years.

The school’s production of “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” will bring to the stage the songs and educational lessons of the popular animated children’s series that hit television airwaves nearly 50 years ago.

Performances will begin Thursday and will continue Friday and Saturday.

Director Colleen Tolliver, also the district’s music and choir teacher, said year-long COVID pandemic and shutdowns almost prevented the performance from happening.

“We usually hold the musical every year in March,” Tolliver said during a break from rehearsals. “That’s why we’re performing in April. We took a gamble in mid-January and got the licensing.”

“Schoolhouse Rock!” was a popular Saturday morning animated series that blended cartoons, videos and songs with educational themes. The show ran from 1973 to 1984, and returned for a short time from 1993 to 1996. Additional episodes were produced in 2009 for direct-to-video release.

Ringgold’s production will revolve around a young teacher named Tammy, played by senior Isabelle Bodner, as she prepares for her first day of school. While nervously preparing for her first time to be in front of students, Tammy tunes into “Schoolhouse Rock!” and the show’s characters and songs come to life right in front of her on stage.

Tolliver, who’s directing her fourth musical for the district, said she could relate to Tammy’s first-day jitters.

“You always wonder if the first day of every year is going to be like this,” she said with a laugh. “You don’t know what the kids will be like.”

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