St. Paul’s School to present musical ‘It’s cool in the furnace’

By KREMENA SPENGLER Journal Staff Writer
NEW ULM — As befits a production at a Christian school, “It’s cool in the furnace,” the spring musical at St. Paul’s Lutheran, tells a biblical story — that of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Book of Daniel, Chapter 3).

In spite of (or perhaps, partly, because of) the mouthful of names, it is a version appealing to kids — while its sends a strong Christian message, it does so through a variety of songs and dances, their styles ranging from the solemn to the playfully jazzy.

The production features 11 songs, with a halfway-through intermission.

The musical will be presented this Saturday and Sunday, at the school gym.

Director Steve Biedenbender says several aspects of the script and score appealed to him, influencing his choice.

The story, of course, sends a message consistent with the school’s mission. The three protagonists (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) stand up for they believe in, refusing to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar’s idol. The Angel of the Lord saves them, when trouble looms; the Israelites’ line continues.

Anytime you can put a story to music, it “sticks in the brain,” Biedenbender smiled.

In addition, he noted, the musical happens to offer some interesting possibilities for “talented boys” — which is somewhat rare and happens to capitalize on this year’s cast’s strengths.

(For some years now, musicals have featured female leads.)

“We’ve tried to create a production that’s as multi-faceted as possible,” Biedenbender said.

Almost the entire show is sustained by the chorus; but its numbers are interspersed with narrative lines.

Students in grades 6-8 — the school’s middle school portion — have been invited to volunteer for the production. Fifty-nine out of 90 did. Everyone was accepted, so the cast displays a variety of “abilities and sizes.”

The “leads” were chosen through auditions, on criteria such as the ability to memorize and “put a little drama” into a performance.

In one sense at least, this show is no different from any other school production — it’s intended to help students hone their skills in public speaking and performing.

In a novel move, Biedenbender, delegated some aspects of the staging to St. Paul’s alumni — now Minnesota Valley Lutheran students.

Some choreographed songs, others designed and painted sets.

They all appeared to have a grasp of what they wanted to achieve.

For example, one of the choreographers, Sarah Tohal, observed that she sought to develop a “jazzy” routine that fit in with the main music and is also “quick to learn and easy to remember.”

A set painter, Anna Biedenbender, noted, in turn, that the people who did the set designers tried to create something that’s “historical enough, yet colorful and fun to do.”

The production will include some “special effects” — a furnace equipped with fans will “spit fire,” for instance.

While many of the costumes have been adapted from former religious-themed shows, some are new, designed by parent volunteers.