Theater Review: 'School Spirits' by Pantochino Productions

Pantochino Productions opens its 2022/23 Season with an original musical just in time for Halloween. “School Spirits: The Halloween High School Musical for Kids and Families” runs on the stage at the Milford Arts Council through Oct. 30.

This cute new musical features a book and lyrics by Bert Bernardi and music by Pantochino Resident Music Director Justin Rugg. Bernardi directed the teens and adults in the cast to give each of them a chance to shine, with musical direction by composer Rugg.

The one-hour performance begins with the gates at Mockingbird High School swinging open as the students try to save their school and the three friendly ghosts who live within its hallowed halls.

Jeremy Ajdukiewicz (Mr. Sprig in “Checking in on Charles”) a delight in the role of Principal Crow, using his deep singing voice most effectively and wearing a skeleton cardigan sweater. Valerie Solli of Milford, who has been performing for over 25 years, portrays high school teacher Miss Cassowary in a school-marm-ish black dress with red stockings. Cassowary teaches in classroom 13 in Mockingbird High School. Shannah Duffy is back on stage after the pandemic (and having another baby) donning large eye glasses and a great red wig to play Miss Raven, the faculty member who steps up to direct the students’ talent show.

The teen performers do well with their high school characters and perform some great choreography in a song that welcomes the audience to their talent show.They show off some great harmonies with their group numbers. Keep an ear open for references to Harry Potter, “Footloose,” “Flashdance,” and even Casper in this script.

Annabel Wardman, a sophomore at Foran High School who has worked with Pantochino for the past nine years, plays the ethereal Crystal Stone and gets a solo for “Just Being Me.”
Delia Canarie traveled from West Hartford to play the posh Shellac in her Pantochino debut. Canarie has been part of “A Christmas Carol '' at Hartford Stage. Jamie Lamb, a junior at Sacred Heart Academy, plays the high school student Keen and Jonathan Law freshman Christopher Serrano portrays Liverwurst in his Mainstage debut wearing memorable large eyeglasses.
Connor Rizzo, a sophomore at Foran High School, plays Ace in a wig with a wide white stripe. Fiona Pasley, a 2022 Halo Award nominee for best female standout performance, plays the role of Spookie in a red beanie and long black skirt.

Then there are three ghosts that can only be seen by the character Crystal, who reminded me of Harry Potter’s classmate Luna. Maya Barnes of Stratford plays the role of Ginger, and Nathan Horne, who appeared as Freddie Rogers in “The Will Rogers Follies” at Goodspeed Musical, plays Baze and Ali McLaren, a fourteen-year-old Sedgwick Middle School student, plays Kane in his Pantochino debut.

This is a great little script for teen groups that could easily be double cast or expanded to include an ensemble of more spooky students. Although it certainly has a Halloween theme, it could be performed any month of the school year.

The always smartly-designed costumes by Jimmy Johansmeyer have a red, white and black color palette. The set by Von Del Mar is shared by “The Rocky Horror Show” that is also running in October. Sound by Tyler Kittleman had a bumpy start at the matinee, but it was quickly rectified. Lighting by Jakob Kelsey includes some unique and very effective touches, including some backlighting that works nicely.

Season sponsors are Devon Rotary and the City of Milford.

"School Spirits" materialize at Milford Arts Council through October 30. Treat your family to this new musical perfect for all ages--just in time for Halloween! Friday at 7:30pm, Saturday at 2 & 5:30pm, Sunday at 2pm. Tickets at pantochino.com or at the door.