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By Bill Van Tassel
AUGUSTA — “Just Add Water” was the title this year for Chizzle Wizzle, the longest-running high school variety show in the United States.
In 1892 Cony High School students got together to create a fundraising effort for their football team. Since then, Chizzle Wizzle has been a staple event in the Augusta area, giving students an opportunity to show their talents, have some fun and entertain the community.
This year’s title, chosen by the Chizzle executive committee, reflected the theme of water throughout the show’s two parts — the Olios and the Minstrel.
From the Pin Design by Hallee Redimarker to the song titles and skit names, many words associated with water were engaged. “Wipe Out,” “Singing in the Rain,” “Make it Rain,” “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay” and “Maine Fshamen” are just a few of the 30 titles listed in the program.
Chizzle President Danielle Brox opened the show by welcoming the audience and sharing some of her memories about the show. He mother and older sister had both been involved in past shows. As the curtain opened on the Olio program, Brox told us to “…grab our floaties, sit back, relax and enjoy the show.”
Traditionally called the Olio and the Minstrel acts, they feature a bunch of comedic sketches, vocal solos and duets, choral singing, instrumental music, dance and, this year, even some Rap by Nelson Bradley. Every show I’ve attended has also made use of a group of students who have been attending the local dance studios since they were children and present a crowd-pleasing chorus line. They were choreographed by Kristin Sutton, managing director of Avant Dance Center in Westbrook.
Students selected by audition for solo performance in the Minstrel Program were seniors Victoria Lerette, James Oliver, Brooke Metcalf; juniors Miqueias Biasiz, Matt Birch; sophomore Katherine Boston; freshmen Brooklynn Merrill and Camille Gefvert. Lindsey Morin, an ed tech at Cony, directed the Olios and was Chizzle’s producer. Directing the music and choral singing was Cony music teacher Jacob Whitaker.
Approximately 150 individuals were responsible for making “Just Add Water” a success, most of them being Cony students. From the ticket managers and stage crews to the musicians and performers, volunteerism was the grease the executive committee used to keep the Chizzle Wizzle tradition alive.
PHOTO: Cony senior James Oliver sings “A Whale of a Tale” to his classmates during Cony’s Chizzle Wizzle. (Bill Van Tassel photo)
