The Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School actors were sensational. (Darin Reed photo)
The Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School actors were sensational. (Darin Reed photo)

Standing Ovation for Annie Jr. Actors & Stagehands

February 9, 2023

Every good performance deserves a bow and applause, but four spectacular shows over three days warrant a standing ovation and everyone associated with the combined Woodhull Intermediate School and Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School drama club got it last weekend in the Huntington High School auditorium after a memorable staging of crowd favorite Annie Jr.

Several thousand tickets were sold during the three day run and no one in the audience left disappointed with the sensational performances of the young actors and stagehands.

The show was directed by drama club advisors and Huntington graduates Stephanie Shea and Jennifer Szilagy Cove. Current Huntington High School students Maggie O’Toole, Sofia Rodriguez and Emily Kustera assisted the directors and actors. Glenn DeVeau and Chris DeVeau managed the stage crew, sets, lighting and sound. Deborah Caravetto was the production assistant.

“The kids were amazing and we are so incredibly proud of them,” Ms. Cove said. “In my 10 years of doing theater ed across many different schools and states, this was one of the best performances I have ever worked on due mostly to the dedication and passion from the students. I would just like to add that we couldn’t do any of this without the help of Glenn and Chris Deveau as well as the parents who donated their time and money to making it all possible. We are looking forward to next year.”

Weeks of rehearsals paid off in a handsome manner helping everything come together by the time the curtain went up on Friday night for the first of four performances.

“The shows were awesome,” Ms. Shea said. “Both casts did phenomenal and we are so beyond proud! We miss everyone already. We were especially proud to see kids from one school come out to watch and support the other school’s performances. We look forward to next year’s production and seeing these students again soon.”

The Woodhull cast included Cecilia Lee, Elena Prior, Grace Gonzalez, Kellen Anderson, Nina Altarac, Amelia Brown, Sutter Flynn, Elisabetta Arra, Allison Aguilar, Anne-Myriam Excellent-Mesidor, Quinn Robertson, Caitlin Wegielnik, Sofia Felice, Helena Sullivan, Adriana Hill, Tallulah Koepele, Luna Ramirez, Abigail Van Horn, Franklin Mulvaney, Emily McCarthy, Zoe Chiclacos, Allison Marroquin and Alyssa Peck.

The Woodhull stage crew featured Patricia Abruzzo, Francesca D’Eloia, Jefferson Interiano, Yostin Vehegas, Amber Murtaza, Thania Guardado, Alexis Hanlon, Olivia Guerrero, Isabella Ulloa, Eunice Nunez-Gomez, Gretchen Schmid, Kimberly Cruz, Maylin Alfaro and Arlene Maldonado.

The STEM school cast featured Annabelle Donovan, Juliette Creegan, Ella Triolo, Ava Tortora, Sarina Kapoor, Rose Poli, Olivia Corcoran, Emma Martin, Jonathan Naborre, Riley Lewis, Gregory Brandine, Ashley Castillo Guevara, Tyler McDiarmid, Mia Hodgkinson, Brady Duke, Paige Falk, Cianna Skrobela, Katharine Lyons, Maya Schneider, Billy Oliva, Ruby Richter, Jonathan Soviero, Victoria Creegan, Jack McLaughlin, Norah Golden, Jack Oswald, Angelica Cunningham, Annabel Stein, Harper Cohn, Abigail Byers, Arielle Melendez, Celia LoPorto, Savannah Grigg, Isabella Correa, Isla Campbell, Julia Lanzilotta, Pfeiffer Laycock, Abigail Uvena, Ella Schaefer, Katelyn Brite, Vader Renkewitz, Darphyna Augustin, Genesis Rivera and Anna Matarese.

The STEM stage crew included Ava Bond, Behan England, Cameron Northrop, Cecilia O’Toole, Emma Leiter, Ethan Martin, Jacob Ryder, Jaden Scott, John Pinto, Lauren Lewis, Mason Dasaro, Matteo Dasaro, Molly Barba, Nathan Falk, Rafaella Moss, Shelby Meystrick, Shelby Patti, Ruben James, Yahel Barak Elitsur, Randy Diaz Moreno and Dorothy Moise.