Young Company Summer Festival Features Eight Lynnfield Students

A release from the Greater Boston Stage Company:

Eight of Lynnfield's top young stage performers will be showcasing their skills at the Greater Boston Stage Company's Summer Festival, August 9-19, in Stoneham.

The Summer Festival is the culmination of 5 weeks of preparation by Young Company students and their professional Directors, Music Directors, Choreographers, Stage Managers, and Design Team. Performed by actors in grades 4-12, The Young Company Summer Festival includes 6 fully staged productions: family friendly Madagascar Jr., upbeat and classic Footloose, and the hilarious Shrek. High School Students continue the fun with the heartwarming musical Big Fish, as well as The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz—a modern take on the classic, beloved story, and finally the extraordinary adventures of Pippin!

Take a journey out of the zoo and onto the stage with favorite crack-a-lackin’ friends from the blockbuster
DreamWorks film Madagascar, Jr. Directed by Johnny Nichols Jr., Music Direction by Alan Rodi,
Choreography by Annika Hilesman, and Stage Managed by Talia Cutulle. Book by Kevin Del Aguila, Original
Music and Lyrics by George Noriega and Joel Someillan.

One of the most explosive movie musicals in recent memory bursts onto the stage. Footloose celebrates the
wisdom of listening to young people and guiding them with a warm heart and open mind. Directed by Daniel
Begin, Music Direction by Laura Baronet, Choreography by Autumn Blazon Brown, and Stage Managed
by Elijah McTiernan. Music by Tom Snow, Lyrics by Dean Pitchford, Stage Adaptation by Dean Pitchford
and Walter Bobbie.

Everyone’s favorite ogre is back in the laugh out loud stage spectacle based on the Oscar-winning, smash hit
film Shrek. Directed by Pascale Florestal, Music Direction by Katie Bickford, Choreography by Alyssa Bene,
and Stage Managed by Drew Donoghue. Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and Music by Jeanine
Tesori.

Based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed film directed by Tim Burton, Big Fish tells
the story of Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest ... and then some! Directed and
Choreographed by Sarah Elizabeth Bedard, Music Direction by Greg Daigle, Assistant Directed and Assistant
Choreographed by CJ Diorio, and Stage Managed by Kelly Dinsmore. Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa and
Book by John August. Based on the novel by Daniel Wallace.

The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz is an inventive new play that offers a modern twist down the
yellow brick road. Directed by Sarah Gazdowicz, Movement Direction by Sydney Grant, and Stage Managed
by Alexandra Tennant. Book by Phillip Klapperich, Adapted from L. Frank Baum.

There’s magic to do when a prince learns the true meaning of glory, love and war in Pippin, an iconic
and unforgettable musical masterpiece. Directed by Dori Robinson, Music Direction by Bethany Aiken,
Choreography by Ceit Zweil, and Stage Managed by Anna Hunt. Book by Roger O. Hirson and Music and
Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz.

Performances:

Footloose — Thursday, Aug. 9th at 7 pm; Saturday, August 11th at 7 pm; and Sunday, August 12th at 7 pm.
Footloose is recommended for all ages.
Madagascar, Jr. — Friday, Aug. 10th at 12 pm; Saturday, Aug. 11th at 12 pm; and Sunday, Aug. 12th at
12 pm. Madagascar, Jr. is recommended for all ages.
Shrek — Friday, Aug. 10th at 7 pm; Saturday, Aug. 11th at 3 pm; and Sunday, Aug. 12th at 3 pm. Shrek is
recommended for all ages.
The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz — Thursday, Aug. 16th at 7:30 pm; Saturday, Aug. 18th at 4 pm; and
Sunday, Aug. 19th at 12 pm. The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz is recommended for all ages.
Big Fish — Friday, Aug. 17th at 4 pm; Saturday, Aug. 18th at 12 pm; and Sunday, Aug. 19th at 7:30 pm. Big
Fish is recommended for all ages.
Pippin — Friday, Aug. 17th at 7:30 pm; Saturday, Aug. 18th at 7:30 pm; and Sunday, Aug. 19th at 4 pm.
Pippin is recommended for ages 12 and up.
Tickets are $15. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Box Office at Greater Boston Stage
Company at (781) 279-2200, or visit www.greaterbostonstage.org. Group sales are also available.

Photos courtesy Greater Boston Stage Company

Lynnfield Act 1 and 2 Students: Marianna Axiotakis, Jemma Sheehan, Samuel Wehle, Shae Killeen

Lynnfield Act 3 Students: Molly Pifko, Liam Connelly, Michael Gravante, Elizabeth Daly