Print edition: 
HUTCHINSON — When the cast of Hutchinson High School's first musical production of the school year comes together, the conversation isn't about typical teenage topics.
That's because some in the cast aren't teenagers.
The cast mixes high school students with older community members and then throws in a few younger kids to create an ensemble unlike any seen recently in the Hutchinson High School auditorium.
But then again, part of the reason the cast is different is that the auditorium is different.
As a way of saying thank you to patrons who approved a bond issue that included a new 733-seat auditorium, Hutchinson High School sought to include community members in its first production of the year — the musical "Once Upon a Mattress."
Community auditions were held in August, and eight non-students — along with a group of young children — joined the 37-member cast.
"Once Upon a Mattress" is a comedic and musical adaptation of "The Princess and the Pea" and includes plenty of roles perfect for older adults, said drama instructor Tobie Henline. The play opens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
"It has been fantastic," Henline said. "Adults bring a level of professionalism, a strong work ethic and a desire to get things done to the production. They are always ready and willing to listen, and I think that shows the students that they need to step it up."
Henline said the idea to include the community in the production was formed last year when she saw the completed auditorium. While there are opportunities for patrons to see the auditorium as an audience member, Henline wanted to give those who were interested a type of back-stage pass to enjoy the new space alongside students.
"We want to say, 'This is what the bond issue did for us, and we really appreciate it,' " she said.
The new 17,000-square-foot auditorium is in the southeast corner of the campus and includes state-of-the-art lighting, rigging and sound systems and a three-story space above the stage.
In addition to hundreds of floor seats, the auditorium has stadium-style seating and wheelchair-accessible seating areas.
Bill Anshutz is one community member who jumped at the offer to experience the new auditorium first-hand. He was cast to play the king in the production.
"It's been a few years since I was on stage, and I thought the part of the king was quite funny and would be fun to play," said Anshutz, who serves as director of music ministries at Trinity United Methodist Church.
"Besides that, it was a great opportunity to connect with the kids and model the adult prospective of work ethic and involvement."
Marvin Birzer, another non-student cast member, plays the minstrel, who at times musically narrates the play.
Birzer has worked at the high school for 12 years and therefore has more access than most to the new auditorium. He said he saw the community castings as an opportunity to spend more time with students.
"I wanted to get to know the kids better," he said. "This is a way to make a deeper connection."
Anshutz, who worked for 19 years as a music teacher in public schools in Towanda and Salina, put on his share of musical productions in a variety of auditoriums in that time. A Hutch High alum, he also was familiar with the former auditorium.
"I came to Hutch High three years or so after the old auditorium was built, and I remember that we had to go to Memorial Hall for all of our musicals," he said. "It was a very limited stage.
"This is absolutely wonderful with the fly space, the lights, the sound. It is just a quality system."
Anshutz said the finished product of this student/community venture will be a crowd-pleaser.
"This musical is a really fun piece, and the cast has had a lot of fun with it," he said. "The audience will really enjoy it."
