Mr. Holland’s Opus Cast (also known as Mr. Holland’s Opus: Part Two, released 1995 in America by Stephen Herek and Patrick Sheane Duncan. Produced by Ted Field, Robert W. Cort, Michael Nolin and Patrick Sheane Duncan). Starring Richard Dreyfuss as Glenn Holland, an ambitious high school music teacher struggling to compose his own composition while managing both work and family life while trying to compose it himself; supporting roles include Glenne Headly, Olympia Dukakis William H Macy and Jay Thomas as supporting cast.
It earned nominations from both Golden Globe Award nominations as well as both awards nominations; Golden Globe Nominee Golden Globe Nominee Golden Globe Nominee Award Best Screenplay Award nominations as well as Academy Award Nominee for Best Actor Richard Dreyfuss himself earned nominations from both awards nominations!
Mr. Holland’s Opus Cast Summary
Table of Contents
This film chronicles three decades of Holland’s teaching career at John F. Kennedy High School in Portland, Oregon between 1964 and 1995. Holland initially encountered difficulties connecting with his students, but eventually discovered how popular music could be used to captivate and inspire them, leading him to establish school marching bands, orchestras and musical productions.
He becomes an invaluable guide and mentor to many of his students, such as Gertrude Lang – a shy clarinetist who blossoms into an outgoing singer; Louis Russ, an outstanding drummer aspiring to compose; and Rowena Morgan, an exquisite vocalist with romantic feelings toward Holland. Since Holland devotes most of his time and attention to his professional duties, he rarely finds time for creative pursuits or spending quality time with Iris and their son Cole – who was born deaf – whom they share a home. Holland becomes frustrated that he can’t share his love of music with his son, as well as failing to learn American Sign Language correctly, causing a divide in their family dynamic. Over time, Holland grows closer to his students at Kennedy High while becoming distant from himself and his own son.
After having an argument with his teenage son, Holland is finally forced to realize his mistakes and adapt his methods of communicating with his son in order to help visualize music he cannot hear. Holland also works to restore his relationship with his wife, supporting her efforts to teach Cole sign language and enroll him in a deaf school. Unfortunately, budget cuts result in his forced retirement due to budget reductions at Kennedy High.
He feels he has lived his life for nothing, unable to reach his dream of creating an epic symphony. However, Holland is taken aback when his former students, colleagues, and friends organize a farewell ceremony for him that includes secret rehearsals of his symphony under Gertrude Lang – now governor of Oregon – who conducts it. Holland becomes overcome with emotion as he conducts it for the first time before an auditorium filled with Iris and Cole who sign “I love you”.
Cast of characters include Richard Dreyfuss as Glenn Holland
1. Richard Dreyfuss as Glenn Holland
2. Glenne Headly as Iris Holland
3. Jay Thomas as Bill Meister
4. William H. Macy as Vice Principal Gene Wolters
5. Alicia Witt as Gertrude Lang
6. Terrence Howard as Louis Russ
7. Damon Whitaker as Bobby Tidd
8. Jean Louisa Kelly as Rowena Morgan
9. Alexandra Boyd as Sarah Olmstead
10. Nicholas John Renner as Cole at 6 Years Old
11. Joseph Anderson as Cole at 15 Years Old
12. Anthony Natale as Cole at 28 Years Old
14. Beth Maitland as Deaf School Principal
15. Benjamin J. Dixon as Mr. Mims
16. Moira Feeney as Ms. Godfrey
17. Joshua Minnick as Mr. Shapiro
18. Ashley Hamrick as Miss Reeves
19. Spencer Riviera as Mr. Hosta
20. Sean Bevington as Mr. McMartin
21. Ted Roisum as Dr. Sorenson
FAQ: The Ultimate Guide to Your Questions
Q: What was the name of Holland’s Symphony?
A: Holland was inspired to compose his American Symphony by events and people in his life – his son’s deafness, his wife’s affectionate support, his students’ achievements and their goals as well as their own dreams.
Q: What song will Rowena sing at the school dance?
A: George and Ira Gershwin wrote “Someone to Watch Over Me”, which became a jazz standard after it first being performed for Oh Kay! in 1926.
Q: Why the name, “Mr. Holland’s Opus?”?
A: The title refers to both Holland’s symphony and teaching career as one cohesive work of art – his opus being not only his music, but also the students that remain his legacy and greatest accomplishment.
Stay tuned to CHOPNEWS for the latest scoops and updates of Business News, Sports News, Technology News, World News and Entertainment News
