NEW GLARUS - One of the best-known and most-loved works of Swiss literature, "Heidi," is back on the stage Friday, Saturday and Sunday for its 50th year in New Glarus.
Written in 1880 "for children and those who love children," Johanna Spyri's story of a young girl living with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps has entertained Green County's local residents and visitors from afar each June during the New Glarus Heidi Festival.
The Heidi Festival Board sponsors a college scholarship program that offers assistance to local youth, and the profits from the Heidi Festival go directly toward these scholarships each year.
The New Glarus performance of "Heidi" is well-known, in part, for its returning cast and crew. Some actors have reprised the role of their characters for decades.
Marie Vetterli, a longtime resident of New Glarus, was part of the first "Heidi" play. She portrayed Brigatta, Peter's mother, for 18 years, and this is her 21st year portraying Peter's grandmother.
Jackie Elmer of Monticello is also a veteran of "Heidi," involved in the play since 1965. She portrayed Clara's grandmamma, Madame Seseman, for 22 years; Peter's grandmother for a few years; and is once again filling Madame's elegant shoes.
Director Ashley Holland, a member of the festival board, is no stranger to "Heidi." She started in sound effects and has played Heidi, Clara and Aunt Dete. She is playing Fraulein Rottenmeier, the Seseman's strict housekeeper, for a second year. It is a part Holland has wanted since she was Heidi.
New Glarus' "Heidi" performances are always filled with local youth talent, many of whom have grown up with "Heidi."
Brianne Roska will be a senior. She is portraying Aunt Dete for her fourth year. She has previously played both Tinette and Clara. Another previous Heidi, eighth-grader Haiden Zimmerman will play Tinette this year.
Taylor Venden, a sixth-grader, is back again this year as Heidi, while fifth-graders Maddie Deegan and Tyler Duerst return for their second years as Clara and Peter, and sixth-grader Joshua Masson reprises his role as Seppi, the street urchin.
Despite the actors' talents and many years of experience on stage, live animals in the "Heidi" plays, the goats and the kittens, have been known to steal many of their scenes.
Three performances of "Heidi" will be presented this weekend at the New Glarus High School. Other Heidi Festival events are downtown and in New Glarus Village Park.
Written in 1880 "for children and those who love children," Johanna Spyri's story of a young girl living with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps has entertained Green County's local residents and visitors from afar each June during the New Glarus Heidi Festival.
The Heidi Festival Board sponsors a college scholarship program that offers assistance to local youth, and the profits from the Heidi Festival go directly toward these scholarships each year.
The New Glarus performance of "Heidi" is well-known, in part, for its returning cast and crew. Some actors have reprised the role of their characters for decades.
Marie Vetterli, a longtime resident of New Glarus, was part of the first "Heidi" play. She portrayed Brigatta, Peter's mother, for 18 years, and this is her 21st year portraying Peter's grandmother.
Jackie Elmer of Monticello is also a veteran of "Heidi," involved in the play since 1965. She portrayed Clara's grandmamma, Madame Seseman, for 22 years; Peter's grandmother for a few years; and is once again filling Madame's elegant shoes.
Director Ashley Holland, a member of the festival board, is no stranger to "Heidi." She started in sound effects and has played Heidi, Clara and Aunt Dete. She is playing Fraulein Rottenmeier, the Seseman's strict housekeeper, for a second year. It is a part Holland has wanted since she was Heidi.
New Glarus' "Heidi" performances are always filled with local youth talent, many of whom have grown up with "Heidi."
Brianne Roska will be a senior. She is portraying Aunt Dete for her fourth year. She has previously played both Tinette and Clara. Another previous Heidi, eighth-grader Haiden Zimmerman will play Tinette this year.
Taylor Venden, a sixth-grader, is back again this year as Heidi, while fifth-graders Maddie Deegan and Tyler Duerst return for their second years as Clara and Peter, and sixth-grader Joshua Masson reprises his role as Seppi, the street urchin.
Despite the actors' talents and many years of experience on stage, live animals in the "Heidi" plays, the goats and the kittens, have been known to steal many of their scenes.
Three performances of "Heidi" will be presented this weekend at the New Glarus High School. Other Heidi Festival events are downtown and in New Glarus Village Park.