DYS students stage hit with ‘Mulan’

The curtain closed on Donald Young School’s final performance of the musical “Mulan” on Friday night.
The cast of students from Grades 3-8 displayed the poise of professionals as they danced, sang, and acted out the tale of a young girl from ancient China.
“Mulan” is based on a folk tale set in ancient China (before 200 B.C.) at a time when the emperor is calling on all male villagers to join his army in order to fight nomad invaders.
It tells the story of a young peasant girl, Mulan, who intercepts a draft notice meant for her elderly father.
Having no brother, she sets out to disguise herself as a man in order to take her father’s place and not dishonour the family name. To assist her, her ancestors summon up a dragon named “Mushu” and send it to Earth to help Mulan fight her battles.
She is able to fool Captain Shang and her fellow soldiers at training camp. Then when the emperor is captured by the enemy, Mulan distinguishes herself by creating a plan to rescue him from the invaders.
When the emperor is safe and the invaders have been captured, everyone discovers Mulan’s true identity.
The penalty for a woman fighting in a man’s army is death, but since Mulan saved the emperor’s life, he returned the favour and offered her a position in his government.
Mulan declines this reward in favour of going home and spending a peaceful life with her father. The emperor gives her his sword and a scroll so that all will know how she gained honour for her family.
Director Katherine Williams opened the evening by thanking her assistant directors, Patty McNally and Michelle Veldhuisen, and all the parents and volunteers who spent countless hours preparing for this year’s production.
They created the fantastic scenery, provided or created the colourful Chinese costumes, recorded the music, operated the sound system, put up lights, and did the makeup for all five performances.
“There simply wouldn’t be a musical without the dedication and support of the parents, the volunteers, and the community sponsors,” stressed Williams.
“I would especially like to thank John Faith from International Falls,” she added. “He spent a great deal of time, working out the problems with the sound system, so that the students could be heard.”
But it was the students who were the real stars. Each member of the cast, including the leads such as Mulan (Phoebe Firth) and Mushu (Alyssa Van Drunen), the people who had one or two lines, and the rest of the supporting cast, all showed remarkable concentration and effort.
“We began working on the musical in mid-November,” noted Williams while volunteers began cleaning up following Friday night’s final performance.
“The children gave up some of their lunch hours and also practised twice a week after school,” she added.
“Working on a production like ‘Mulan’ takes a great deal of dedication and commitment,” Williams said.
“Ninety percent of this cast has been together for the past five years. They’ve gained so much confidence, and their communication and musical skills have really improved.
“They’ve just blossomed,” Williams beamed.
Three of this year’s cast—Phoebe Firth, David Loney, and Andre Emond—will be graduating from DYS this June and moving on.
“I’m sad it’s over,” Firth said between tears. “It’s been so great working on the musicals at Donald Young.
“I’m looking forward to trying out for something next year [at Fort Frances High School], but I will miss the matinees at DYS,” she added. “I don’t think they do matinees at the high school.”
Students from the intermediate grades around the district were bused in for the two matinee performances last week. From all accounts, the audience on both occasions thoroughly enjoyed the musical.
With this year’s production merely a half-hour in the past, thoughts already began to turn towards next year’s musical.
“I’ve got a few ideas for next year,” hinted Williams. “It will definitely be another musical, but it will be something totally different.
“I should have my choice finalized by May,” she grinned.
With several of the senior students graduating this year, the leadership will be turned over to those in Grades 6 and 7. Van Drunen, who played “Mushu,” really enjoyed this year’s musical.
“I really liked my part this year because I got to play a crazy little dragon,” she enthused.
With the talented students, dedicated parents, and enthusiastic production staff at DYS next year’s production no doubt will be well worth the wait.