Fun for Little Women's Cast, Crew
and Musicians
More than anything else it was fun. The Huntington High School actors, musicians, stage hands and technical experts who pulled off three successful performances of Little Women last weekend put in weeks of grueling rehearsals, but had the time of their lives along the way.
"Although I've participated in the musical the past two years, this year has been especially unique," junior Josh Morris said. "Perhaps as a result of viewing the club from the perspective of an upperclassman, I felt I was truly able to connect with each and every cast member, which only added to the cohesiveness and energy on the stage." Mr. Morris starred as "Laurie."
All the many facets that make up a Huntington drama club production, especially a musical, came together by the time the curtain went up for the first time last Friday night. A successful school musical that sounds, looks and feels good is no easy feat to accomplish. But, drama club advisor Michael Schwendemann has shown a knack for producing hit-after-hit, year-after-year and he did it again with Little Women.
"The cast of Little Women is extremely close this year," said senior Brielle Blatt who starred as "Beth March" and served as dance captain. "We had a ton of fun on and off the stage. It was especially noticeable to those who came to see the show!"
The show's cast included Chelsea Holmes, Ben Rosen-Packard, Katherine Gerdes, Monica Owen, Brielle Blatt, Anna Schiffmacher, Ben Wyrick, Josh Morris, Stephanie Shea, Nicholas Freiman, Laura Ironman, Brianne Bennett, Hannah Rice, Josh Stickell, Zach Burden, Olivia Liepa, Sarah Mosden, Alexandra Grabowski, Jackie Contino, Hailey Giordano, Brendan Higgins, Meghan Latini, Emily McGoldrick and Marc Widerman.
The production's musical director was Brian Stellato. Veronica Mainville was the vocal coach. Michelle Mallardi served as choreographer. Ken Gilbert was the technical director. Jamie Moskowitz and Bobby Marcus were the student directors.
"This show has been a life changing experience for me and I will always remember the time I spent working on it," said Ms. Holmes, a sophomore who starred as "Jo March."
Theatre-goers were in awe of the musicians in the pit who produced exceptional sound. All the instruments seemed to come perfectly together and enhanced every scene as the musicians and actors appeared to be in complete sync with one another.
"This show is very bittersweet for me, as it is my last before I graduate this spring," Ms. Blatt said. "I will miss the friends I've made through drama club. Everyone is so talented and this show is definitely one of our best!"
The set and costume designers, stage hands, lighting and sound technicians and the many "hidden hands" behind the production could only have walked away from Saturday night's show feeling pleased with how their efforts turned out. As for the actors, well, with all the adrenaline flowing, they probably never slept a wink.
"Well, I'm really proud of us all," sophomore Stephanie Shea said last Thursday with anticipation. "The show is about a family and everything that families go through and that's just like our drama club. We are all in this together and I've really enjoyed being apart of it and there is so much talent. We truly will astonish everyone." Ms. Shea starred as "Aunt March" in the musical.
As the crowd headed for the exits, voices could be heard asking, "Does anyone know what next fall's drama production is going to be?"