A note from the director...
After twenty-three years of teaching through budget cuts, national tragedies, and superstorms, from inner city schools to the suburbs, 2020 was the most challenging. No amount of preparation and training could have prepared us for the havoc the coronavirus wreaked on our students, teachers, families, and schools.
As a teacher and theatre director that strives to develop each student's unique voice and values the creative process and collaboration as much as, if not more than, the final product, remote learning and the disconnection it created was devastating to learning in the performance arts and to the spirit of my students. Our artistic students are special because they are sensitive, creative, and willing to take risks and the isolation created by remote learning was suffocating. Self-expression was muted and muzzled. Creativity stifled. Collaboration dismantled. Connections severed. Everything inspiring and empowering about the performance arts was crushed. Every theatre space around the world was shuttered.
Thankfully our brave principal and district administration supported our desire to produce live theatre. This year's production was chosen because we could perform it socially distant on stage, requiring no set changes, minimal props, a small safely distant pit, no costume changes, and since it was set in a school, we could easily build in the coronavirus protocols that have adorned our schools.
I have never been more proud of a cast, than this one. These kids chose to engage, perform, and stretch themselves to meet the demands of the time and not fold in the face of a challenge. On our first day of rehearsal, hearing them laugh and chat like teenagers should, was music to my ears. Then day after day, with their voices, bodies, and spirits, they made magic.
I hope when we look back at this time in our history we laugh at the glitches, the sneeze guards, masks that became a fashion accessory, and the technical malfunctions that plagued learning and remember that school means so much more than report cards and that the arts are not extras but essentials.
Much Love,
Turner
Production Staff & Crew
Director…………………………………………………... Susan Turner Radin
Assistant Director…………………………………………………… Jessica Mangels
Musical Director…………………………………………………... Matthew Hoffman
Vocal Prep…………………………………………………… Greg Modelewski
Choreographer…………………………………………………… Susan Turner Radin
Dance Captain…………………………………………………… Delia Botta
Costume Designer…………………………………………………… Sudan Turner Radin
Costumer Assistant…………………………………………………… Chloe Murphy
Lighting Designer…………………………………………………… Mike Visco
Backdrop…………………………………………………… Theatre World Backdrops
Sound Design and Tech…………………………………………………… SDE Productions
Set/Prop Design…………………………………………………… David Rickmers, Ashlee Cox-Pinckney, Rosalie Campo, Alexa Beaubrun, Isabelle Sass
Stage Manager…………………………………………………… Daniella Padinha
Asst. Stage Managers…………………………………………………… Ariana Levin, Kyle Haritonides
Lamplighter Advisor…………………………………………………… David Rickmers
Program…………………………………………………… Daniella Padinha
Business Manager…………………………………………………… Susan Turner Radin
Backstage Crew…………………………………………………… Olivia Martinez, Brian Dammer
Lighting Crew…………………………………………………… Scott Martin, Isabelle Sass, Rosalie Campo
Sound…………………………………………………… Ashley Winch, Ashlee Cox-Pinckney
Cast
Chip Tolentino…………………………………………………… Paul Schiller
Logainne Schwarzandgrubenierre (Shwarzy)…………………………………………………… Deanna Valentin
Leaf Coneybear…………………………………………………… Hunter Millman
William Berfee……………………………………………………Jaren Smullian
Marcy Park…………………………………………………… Delia Botta
Olive Ostrovsky…………………………………………………… Pamela Carey
Rona Lisa Peretti…………………………………………………… Jordan Logue
Douglas Panch…………………………………………………… Jack O’Loughlin/ Liam Heather
Mitch Mahoney…………………………………………………… Joe Cenzaprano
Olive’s Mom…………………………………………………… Faith Stone
Olive’s Dad…………………………………………………… Edward Pena
Shwarzy's Dad Carl…………………………………………………… Paul Schiller
Shwarzy's Dad Dan…………………………………………………… Jack O'Loughlin/ Liam Heather
Jesus Christ…………………………………………………… Anna Maguire
Ensemble…………………………………………………… Hannah Albert, Salma Laraki, Anna Maguire
Teacher Volunteers…………………………………………………… Lori Bolger, Jessica Corrado, Tiyana Frank, Nicole Honovitch, April Kaufman, Kim Latko, Scott Muller, John Murphy, Joseph Pipolo
Dancers…………………………………………………… Ashley Bartolomeo, Fern Brazeau, Madeline Franz, Harley Guarisco, Alana Marzigliano, Luisa Valencia, Brianna White
Pit Orchestra
Musical Director/Conductor - Matthew Hoffman
Woodwinds - Natalie Bausano, Gabrielle Bausano, Abby Dinstell, Aidan Garemani, Liam Hill, Esteban Maraboli, Angela Shedlow, and Gianna Vozza
Cello/Bass - Cal Eidinoff and Marc Malafronte
Percussion - Kaitlyn Allen, Joshua Alms, John Andreoni, Joseph Gurba, and Anthony Maida
Keyboard - Greg Modelewski
The Director would like to thank…
My staff- Matt Hoffman, Greg Modelewski, David Rickmers, Mike Visco, Doug Rowand, and LJ Saburro. Your dedication and talent are greatly appreciated.
My Stage Manager Daniella Padinha, my Assistant Director Jessica Mangels, my costumer assistant Chloe Murphy, and my dance captain Delia Botta. You are fabulous! Thank you for your dedication, hard work, and creativity!
My Amazing Cast, Crew, and Pit! I am so proud of your efforts during this difficult time. You are inspiring artists! Thank you for always bringing your FABULOUS!!!!
Ms. Lauren Godbolt. Your time and assistance is greatly appreciated.
My volunteer MISspelling educators- Mr. Pipolo, Ms. Latko, Ms. Corrado, Ms. Honovich, Ms. Frank, Ms. Bolger, Ms. Kaufmann, and Mr. Murphy. Thank you for your enthusiasm, time, and support of the arts!
Mr. Jamie Rogers for building Mitch's hook. Your ingenuity is always appreciated!
110 Party Supply for the amazing balloon trees! Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Parents, for your support of your children's love of theatre!
Charles Salerno and the custodians of Walt Whitman High School, and Mary Ritchie for juggling the intense schedule for the Performing Arts Center and always making things happen for us!
Mr. Rickmers and crew for his amazing assistance with the set and props!!!
Mr. John Murphy, Mr. Jon Varlamos, and the Walt Whitman HS staff for supporting our students and myself during this overwhelming process!
Dr. Bennardo, Dr. Centamore, Dr. D'Elia, Ms. Poprilo, and Ms. Jackie Tartaro for your support of the arts in South Huntington. Your leadership makes a huge difference in the lives of your creative students and teachers!
The South Huntington Board of Education for recognizing the value of arts education and supporting our talented students!
My husband and my boys for sharing me with my Whitman Lovelies. I love you more than there are days in forever.
60 Weston St
Huntington Station NY, 11746
Phone: (631) 812-3000
Emergency: (631) 812-3900
Fax: (631) 812-3005