The Sound of Music Awes Audiences
Last weekend's production of The Sound of Music at Huntington High School shattered more than a decade worth of attendance records as large crowds turned out to see a show that left audience members in awe.
Huntington's drama club put on a show that will go down in the annals of the school as one of the best ever. Third and fourth graders from across the district were treated to a chunk of the play last Thursday and returned to their home schools raving about the production. A crowd of more than 500 turned out for the official opening Friday night. Saturday's matinee drew a larger than normal audience and the Saturday night finale attracted nearly 500.
"I think the show went fantastically," said Katharine Gerdes, was starred in the role of Maria Rainer, a postulant at Nonnberg Abbey. "The whole cast is so talented and our energy was extremely high throughout every performance, even the typically low energy matinee."
Ms. Gerdes put in a string of strong performances and the large crowds fell in love with her. "Our audience was very responsive, which always boosts morale and doing a show that children love so much was an awesome experience," the junior said. "I had little kids coming up to me after performances so excited and happy. One girl even cried when the show was over because she wanted it to keep going! It felt so good to give these children such a wonderful experience and I'm hoping it will be a happy memory for them for years to come!"
Schwendemann Directs
English teacher Michael Schwendemann is the drama club advisor and director of the club's productions. Ken Gilbert served as the technical director and Brian Stellato was the musical director. Veronica Mainville was the vocal coach and Michelle Mallardi was the choreographer. Dana Freed and Norcostco Costumes, Inc. handled wardrobe and set dressings.
"We as a cast put in countless rehearsals and time over the past couple of weeks, which greatly contributed to the overall success that we experienced at the performance this past weekend, although I also think the show's well-known reputation throughout the general public also contributed to our success," said senior Josh Morris, who played the part of Captain Georg von Trap.
"When the audience can make an emotional connection to the show, recalling watching the movie with their family when they were younger for example, it makes watching our version of the show that much more enjoyable," Mr. Morris said. "I also believe that the buzz through word of mouth after our Friday evening performance aided in boosting the numbers in our audience for the Saturday shows to higher than we have ever seen before."
Everyone associated with the show was on their mark over three days of performances for students and the community at-large. "The energy backstage was surreal and I think it helped having a core group of 20 seniors that were putting everything and anything into this last performance on the high school stage," Mr. Morris said. "Many of the children and adults that I had the opportunity to meet after the show seemed overjoyed at the performance and being able to contribute to that sentiment is an amazing feeling and part of the reason that theater arts has been such a big part of my high school career."
Jaime Moskowitz was the lead student director, with Brendan Higgins, Meghan Latini and Bobby Marcus pitching in. Alex Ulloa and Ashley Veliz were the stage managers. Ellen Fleury designed an exquisite show bill. Zach Burden and Sarah Mosden handled photography. Katharine Gerdes, Emily McGoldrick and Anna Wertheim designed the logo.
Alexandra Grabowski played the part of Liesl, the oldest of Captain von Trapp's children. The senior has participated in several Huntington drama productions and especially enjoyed acting in The Sound of Music last weekend.
"Being that we had broken records with ticket sales, I think it is safe to say the musical was quite a success this year," Ms. Grabowski said. "The drama club has always put in great effort into every show and these recent performances were no exception. It has been an honor, to say the least, to be a part of a drama club with such a variety of experience and talent. The cast, pit and crew put their hearts and souls into the weekend's performances and it has definitely paid off. Mr. Schwendemann, Mr. Stellato, Mrs. Mainville, Mr. Gilbert and Mrs. Freed are all to blame for our tremendous success! They have all taught me so much and for that I am thankful!"
"Word on the Street"
Junior Stephanie Shea was still riding high several days after the show closed. She played the part of Sister Berthe, the mistress of novices. "The musical this year was so exciting," she said. "It was a popular show and word on the street was we were going to have a big audience. We all worked so hard on the production and it really paid off! Nothing felt better than that standing ovation at our closing. We are all so proud and happy with the performance and most importantly we are thrilled that the audience seemed to have almost as much fun as we did. I can't wait until next year!"
Weeks of rehearsals for the show culminated with a whirlwind series of late nights. "We really all came together in that last 'hell week,'" Ms. Shea said. "We're definitely going to miss the 20 seniors in the cast who are graduating!"
Senior Anna Wertheim, who played the part of Captain von Trapp's housekeeper, Frau Schmidt, spoke enthusiastically about last week's musical, too. The cast, pit orchestra and stage crew came together in sensational fashion, drawing standing ovations after each show.
"This was by far the best production Huntington High School has performed as long as I have been here," Ms. Wertheim said. "The talent, both vocal and theatrical, this cast had was unmatched by any other cast I have performed with. I absolutely loved every second of the performance and the rehearsal process beforehand. And to top all, we sold more tickets to this show than any other show in the last 10 years."
While the teenager was clearly pleased with all aspects of the show, she knows it is her final one prior to graduation. "Although the last show was by far our best, it is bittersweet for me," she said. "I am very sad to say that was my last time on the Huntington High School stage, but I know I am leaving the drama club in great hands. The juniors are a really talented group and are definitely going to keep building up the club. The entire cast was like family to me and I will really miss seeing them every day. None the less, this was a perfect last show."
"So Proud of Pit Orchestra"
The musicians that provided the entrancing sound outdid themselves. "I am so proud of this pit orchestra," Mr. Stellato said. "They performed with a musical maturity and attention to balance that was extremely professional. They also are an inspiring group of hard working people. I also want to take an opportunity to thank Mrs. Mainville for sharing her incredible talent and expertise. She puts in a tremendous amount of time, much of which goes unnoticed."
The large crowds were amazed at the delightful sound produced by the orchestra, which hit all the right notes. "There were so many little moments between the pit orchestra and the cast where the musical communication and timing was outstanding," Mr. Stellato said. "All the students involved in the cast, crew and pit should be so proud of what they created collaboratively."
The cast and crew received a prolonged standing ovation from the crowd following the final show this past Saturday night. Mr. Schwendemann offered heartfelt remarks from the stage about the young people and faculty colleagues he worked with during the production.
"This was among the most outstanding high school performances I have seen in my career," said Superintendent James W. Polansky, who was in the auditorium for Friday night's show. "The singing, dancing, acting, casting, pit orchestra - all simply phenomenal. The talent and commitment demonstrated by all involved were unparalleled. Congratulations to participating students and to Mr. Schwendemann on a job well done!"
"Happens so Quickly"
Zachary Burden played the role of Franz, the butler in the von Trapp household to perfection. "Drama club is like a family, with the amount of time that we spend with each other and the trust that we gain with each other," the junior said. "No matter who people are friends with outside of drama club or what grade we are in, we all seem to become like brothers and sisters."
Mr. Burden said that while some rehearsals went smoothly, there were also some rough patches. "But in the end, our big family always seems to come together and put on a great show," the teenager said. "The end of this show in particular was bittersweet because we have 20 seniors leaving us this year, so this show is specifically sentimental. It was so amazing having them in the club and I am proud to call them all my friends. They all have influenced drama club and the people in it in their own way."
Most of the cast had never performed before such a large crowd, but the actors seemed to feed off the energy in the auditorium. Mr. Burden said that more than fear, performing in front of a big audience brings "a rush of adrenaline."
Rehearsals and three days of performances seemed to fly by for the cast and crew. "It all happens so quickly," Mr. Burden said. "We would not be able to pull anything off without Mr. Schwendemann, Mrs. Mainville, Mr. Stellato and the pit, Mr. Gilbert and the stage crew, Ms. Freed and a strong parent group."