Long hours of rehearsal will culminate for the Huntington High School pit orchestra when the drama club presents the enchanting Rodgers & Hammerstein musical Cinderella next weekend.
Huntington teacher Brian Stellato is the show’s musical director. Hosun Moon is the vocal coach. The curtain will go up on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and again on Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
The Huntington UFSD’s second graders will also be treated to a performance on Thursday morning. The youngsters are being bused to the high school auditorium from their respective building. Actors in costume are expected to greet the elementary school students in the lobby as they arrive.
The Huntington High School drama club will present Cinderella next weekend.
The pit orchestra has been rehearsing for weeks, learning the delightful, but sometimes challenging music that enhances the show and has made it one of the most popular musicals of all-time. Richard Rodgers wrote the music while Oscar Hammerstein III penned the lyrics.
This year’s Huntington pit orchestra consists of the following musicians:
Violin: Christopher Chang, Arielle Harvey, Sophia Martinez, Gabriel Medina-Jaudes, Christina Varady; Viola: Lianna DeChiaro, Ella Siepel; Cello: Nicole Arenth, Maggie Giles, Diya Rai-Gersappe, Katie Stock; String bass: Grace Wildermuth; Flute: Julianna Joseph-Whyte, Katharine Kitzen; Oboe: Christopher Mavrogian; Clarinet: Meagan-Elise Malone, Mathew Hearl, Grace McKenna; Bass clarinet: Jamie Rosenbauer; Bassoon: Matthew Baker; Horn: Adina Kirkland, Katie Riley; Trumpet I: Aidan McCooey, Josh Yanuck; Trumpet II: Nathan Musso; Trombone: Christopher Engle, Matthew Quinn; Keyboards: Katherine DeGennaro; Drum set: Natalie Furman; Percussion: Christiana DeLuca; Piano: Victoria Garbarino.
“I always enjoy being a part of the pit and drama club’s spring musical,” Ms. Riley said. “As musicians, we have spent late nights and long hours preparing for the upcoming performances. Although the score is different from Disney’s version of Cinderella, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s music is just as engaging. Audience members will leave the show humming a tune.”
Everyone associated with the production knows the final days of rehearsals will be grueling. “We are all looking forward to the show and are expecting a long week of hard work,” Ms. DeLuca said.
