There’s Show Place Like Home

Aberdeen Central High School’s Eagle Express show choir are honoring the 125th anniversary of the Wizard of Oz with their show this year. 

“We didn’t want to just do Wicked or Wizard of Oz,” said Show Choir Director Susan Appl. “We thought about how we could do the show without being just that.” 

Instead of referencing the source material exclusively, the show highlights iconic landmarks from Storybook Land, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Some of their costumes include Storybook Land employees, and stage decorations reference Storybook Land’s castle and the yellow brick road. 

The show features an original song about Storybook Land that was written by Kevin Chase, the show choir’s choreographer. 

“It was kind of fun for him,” Appl said. “He was able to kind of ham it up with the song.” 

Both show choirs follow a theme each year, but this is the first time that either group has done a show about Aberdeen. Special Request, the show choir for underclassmen, will be performing a garden-themed show this year. 

Rehearsals began in October last year, and Chase, who is based out of Des Moines, Iowa, was able to come to Aberdeen to help the group rehearse for a week at the beginning of this year. Appl said that it was nice to have Chase around as another pair of eyes during rehearsals.

The choreography and music for Central’s Special Request is based off a garden theme.

This year’s competitions started on January 10. Central competed at five different competitions at Sioux Falls Jefferson, Sioux Falls Washington, Sioux Falls Roosevelt, O’Gorman High School, and Sioux City East High School. 

Eagle Express came in second place at the Sioux Falls Jefferson Cavalier Classic, the first competition of the season. 

They finish the season with the Valentine’s Day Bistro show and the Center Stage competition, which is the event hosted at Central High School. 

“The Bistro is a fun night,” Appl said. In addition to show choir, Central’s bands and student music groups perform, and students MC the night. 

The Center Stage Show Choir Competition is Central’s exhibition show for the season, which will be held on March 14. Appl said that 11 groups will be competing this year. Their goal is to get that number up to 13. 

“A program can’t exist without parent and community support,” Appl said. “We’re fortunate that people are so supportive.” 

Their final performance of the year is a show for parents. 

“It’s been a fun theme for the kids,” Appl said. “There’s a great number of kids involved, and they get excited about it.” //