Young Company Summer Festival Opens Thursday

A release from our friends at the Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham:

Twenty-seven Stoneham students will be taking the stage at Greater Boston Stage Company during The
Young Company Summer Festival 2018.

The Summer Festival, August 9-19, is the culmination of five 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 six 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!

Four Stoneham students will appear in Madagascar, Jr. Take a journey out of the zoo and onto the stage with
favorite crack-a-lackin’ friends from the blockbuster DreamWorks film Madagascar, Jr. The Stoneham actors are Amanda Grose (Zookeeper Zelda), Erica Harmon (Server #1), Kerry Henaghan (Server
#2) and Kayla Rigano (Cameraman).

Six Stoneham students will appear in Footloose. 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. The Stoneham actors are Madelyn DiLeo (Sandra/Band Member 2), Neena Dilorio (Urleen), Keira Haughey (Ren), Jazmin Hopkins (Lula May), Lyra Polcaro (Donna/Trace) and Kara Quinlan (Jolene).

Seven Stoneham students will appear in Shrek. Everyone’s favorite ogre is back in the laugh out loud stage
spectacle based on the Oscar-winning, smash hit film Shrek. The Stoneham actors are Beliz Baloglu (Mama Bear/Mama Ogre), Melis Baloglu (Dragon 2/Guard/Humpty Dumpty), Jenguan Chou (Pig 2/Dish/Knight 2), Shelagh Liljander (Sugar Plum Fairy/Young Fiona/Bluebird), Abigail Martin (Dragon 1/Captain/Ugly Duckling), Grace Morgan (Peter Pan/Knight 1) and Chloe Nasson (Lord Farquaad).

Four Stoneham students will appear in Big Fish. 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! Stoneham actors are Maya Cunningham (The Mermaid/Little Girl with Orange Cat), Marissa Diplacido (Mayor), Max Lehmann (Don Price) and John Pagliarulo (Karl/Red Fang).

Three Stoneham students will appear in The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz, an inventive new play that
offers a modern twist down the yellow brick road. Stoneham actors are Katie Kelley (Toto), Carlie LaFauci (Krumholtz) and Joseph Pizzano (Ensemble).

Three Stoneham students will appear in Pippin. 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. Stoneham actors are Valerie Drew (Player/Newscaster), Greta Hall (Leading Entourage/Pyro) and Dezaray Surprise (Assistant Stage Manager).

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

Stoneham Act 1 & 2 Actors, L-R:

Back Row: Kara Quinlan, Keira Haughey, Amanda Grose, Jazmin Hopkins, Beliz Baloglu; Middle Row: Shelagh Liljander, Jenguan Chou, Madelyn DiLeo, Melis Baloglu, Neena Dilorio, Abigail Martin; Front Row: Grace Morgan, Lyra Polcaro, Erica Harmon, Chloe Nasson, Kerry Henaghan, Kayla Rigano.

Stoneham Act 3 Actors, L-R:

Back Row: Joseph Pizzano, Dezaray Surprise, Valerie Drew, John Pagliarulo; Middle Row: Greta Hall, Katie Kelley, Maya Cunningham; Front Row: Max Lehmann, Carlie LaFauci, Marissa Diplacido