Trumbull High School rocks the house in The Wiz

The two house-warming lights are concentrated on the red stage curtains. The house of the theatre is filled with chatter as the crowd hurries to their seats, tickets and programs in hand. The orchestra begins to tune, the house lights fade, and the crowd quiets down. Curtains open. 

The 7-time Tony Award Winner “super soul musical” The Wiz was performed by the Trumbull High School Thespians; first a preview on Wednesday afternoon for senior citizens to attend, free of charge. Thursday night at 7:30 was the first public performance, the company’s opening night. 

Everything about this rendition of The Wiz was nothing less than incredible. The set, the lights, the sounds, the singing, the costumes and the music were all outstanding.

Leading sopranos of the Trumbull High Theatre, as well as departing seniors Liz McCormack (Dorothy) and Jenna Bellofiore (Glinda/Twister Sister), both gave heart-warming performances of the popular songs from The Wiz including “Home” and “A Rested Body is a Rested Mind”.

With hilarious performances by Trumbull High seniors Andrew Tallian (Lion) and Natalie Clift (Evillene), as well as sophomore Jacquelyn Sheehan, the audience was laughing to jokes about modern media and pop culture like reality TV series Jersey Shore, spray tanning, cell phones and iPhones.

The production staff includes English Department Chair and teacher Jessica Spillane as Director, now leading her 14^th production at Trumbull High, as well as Shannon Bolan, THS math teacher and alumnus, with her 4^th year as Producer. Broadway’s very own Jerold Goldstein returns as Musical Director, leading the orchestra in the soulful score of The Wiz, along with Frank Root in his 9^th year of choreographing musicals at Trumbull High. Costume design, makeup and hair was done by Merial Cornell, Jeanette Davidson and Mary Joan Wright, who have worked with the cast before in other productions, including TYA’s 2011 summer production of Anything Goes.

This entire production staff took part in the award-winning 2011 production of Fiddler on the Roof, in which Trumbull High School won 3 awards. THS alumnus and Stony Brook University attendant Alex Mark won “Best Lighting Design” and “Student Achievement in Lighting Design”. The third award, “Outstanding Performance

To purchase tickets for this dazzling and fantastic production, visit http://www.thsmusicals.com for online purchases and printable tickets or purchase tickets at the box office prior to the show, Saturday at 8 pm, or Sunday at 2 pm.

Ease on down the road this weekend to see The Wiz. You won’t be disappointed!