Preparations are in high gear at OFHS, as students, teachers, and parents band together and prepare to present the 21st Annual Madrigal Feast, transforming the OFHS Cafe into a Renaissance Castle!
And this is truly a group effort, led by OFHS Choir teacher Victor Pazik and OFHS Drama Coach Cheryl Harris-Sumida, the playwright and director of the Madrigal play. In addition to Pazik and Harris-Sumida, OFHS Band Director Nick Rojek directs a brass ensemble that lends a gravitas to the evening with their Royal Fanfares and Christmas dinner music.
This whole evening feast at OFHS is a splendid affair, and it only costs guests a mere $30 for a grand Madrigal Feast, the ribald Madrigal Drama, the Renaissance choral stylings of the Madrigal Choir, and a Madrigal Brass Ensemble. The school cafeteria is converted into a castle hall for the weekend and Oak Forest High School students and parents work tremendously hard in transforming the space into one that defies imagination and embodies the spirit of Christmas.
There’s a little sadness this year going into the season as it is Playwright Cheryl Harris-Sumida’s last Madrigal while teaching at OFHS. She retires at the end of the year.
Harris-Sumida said, “It’s been fun directing and writing the Madrigal drama with Vic (Pazik) the entire time we’ve been at OFHS! Part of that fun is trying to make Victor belly laugh with shenanigans that I write into the Madrigal Drama! That can translate into a game of Twister between the King’s hero and the Evil Knight or the Royal Court being taken over by the Fairy Queen Mab and then having a rap battle. Making Victor laugh is one of the most rewarding times of my writing career!”
The Madrigal is one of the most enduring musical forms in all history. The Madrigal found favor with the Italian noble class in the 16th century. Eventually, the Madrigal found its way to England, where the English put their touch on the art form, which is why the OFHS Madrigal singers and actors wear Renaissance costumes. All members of the English nobility were required to have musical training and often performed Madrigal songs at court.
You can purchase tickets by emailing Victor Pazik at vpazik@bhsd228.com.