Award-winning West Morris Central High School Theatre to Stage Musical Comedies June 29-July 1

Award-winning High School Theatre Troupe to Stage Musical Comedies June 29-July 1

On May 15, at the Montclair State University Theatre Night Awards, West Morris Central High School’s theatre troupe, Central Theatre, won two awards for their fall presentation of Dan Gordon’s Irena’s Vow. Senior Kathryn Platt won the award for Outstanding Performance by a Leading Actress in a Drama for her charming portrayal of Irene Gut-Opdyke and the production itself won Outstanding Overall Production of a Drama.

In addition to the two awards above, the production was also nominated for 6 others: Outstanding Achievement in New Media/Special Effects; senior James Tank for Outstanding Achievement in Live or Original Music; director Mr. Jeff Hogan for the Peter Filichia Award for Pushing the Envelope in Academic Theatre; and Outstanding Overall Production of a High School Play.

The announcement of the Montclair Theatre Night Awards precedes the announcement of the 2017 Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards for musical theatre. For this event, Central Theatre’s spring musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, has been nominated for 6 awards.

Seniors Albert Garrido and Catherine McGarry have been nominated for their supporting roles as Pontius Pilate and Mary Magdalene, respectively. Long Valley resident Mr. Ron Kadri has been nominated for Outstanding Scenic Achievement, and director Mr. Jeff Hogan for Outstanding Achievement by a Teacher or Outside Director. Finally, the show has also been nominated for Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical, and it received two honorable mentions for Outstanding Achievement in Choreography and Staging (Ms. Dana Harrington) and Outstanding Lighting Achievement (Mr. Timothy Meola and Mr. Jeff Hogan). The cast of Central Theatre’s Jesus Christ Superstar will perform the closing musical number “Superstar,” led by senior Jack Delle Cava (Judas), at the Rising Star Awards ceremony on Tuesday, June 6.

While preparing for the upcoming Paper Mill performance, the students will also be hard at work continuing their rehearsals for Central Theatre’s first ever summer festival of shows. On June 29-July 1, Central Theatre will present two family-friendly musical comedies: Dan Goggin’s Nunsense and Jason Robert Brown’s 13: The Musical.

Nunsense tells the stories of the Little Sisters of Hoboken, a one-time missionary order that ran a leper colony on an island south of France. Five of the resident nuns discover that their cook, Sister Julia, Child of God, accidentally killed the other fifty-two sisters of the convent with her tainted vichyssoise soup. In order to pay for the burials, the remaining sisters stage a variety show.

Participating in the project are Mother Superior Mary Regina (senior Cristina Sherer), a former circus performer who cannot resist the spotlight; her competitive but dignified rival, second-in-command Sister Mary Hubert (senior Bianca Torres); Sister Robert Anne (junior Julianne Hughes), a streetwise nun from Brooklyn; Sister Mary Leo (junior Emma Van Kooy), a novice who is determined to be the world's first ballerina nun; and wacky, childlike Sister Mary Amnesia (sophomore Caitlin Reilly), who lost her memory when a crucifix fell on her head. The entertainment that they present includes solo star turns, madcap dance routines, and an audience quiz.

13: The Musical satirizes the awkward middle school coming-of-age experience, one that we’ve all lived through (and vowed never to return) by using a pop-rock score.

Following a move from New York City to small-town Indiana, young Evan Goldman (played by senior Matt Steen) grapples with his parents' divorce, prepares for his impending Bar Mitzvah, and navigates the complicated social circles of a new school. Surrounded by an array of simple-minded middle school students, he needs to establish his place in the popularity pecking order. Can he situate himself on a comfortable link of the food chain... or will he dangle at the end with the outcasts?

The production features senior Gabby Gutt as Patrice, freshman Michael Oestereich as Archie, senior Zach Michonski as Brett, senior Catherine McGarry as Kendra, and sophomore Lexi George as Lucy. In featured roles are sophomore Nick Fleming as Eddie, sophomore Alexander Massa as Malcolm, junior Danielle Stitt as Cassie, freshman Elia Hafen as Molly, junior Sabrina D’Aiello as Charlotte, freshman Nick Taylor as Richie, and junior Deiniol McGovern as Simon. Rounding out the ensemble are freshmen Darcy and Tori Caracciolo, Paige Davis, and Julia Kourpas, juniors Maggie Schaffer, Ryan Griffin, and Duncan Taylor, and seniors Zach Mange and Brielle Rapach.

Spearheading the project are English and drama teacher Mr. Jeff Hogan and choir teacher Mr. Mark Stingle. Working under their direction is a team of 10 talented student-leaders. Senior Aiden Carrara is the assistant director, junior Jakob Baker is the assistant producer, seniors James Tank, Jack Delle Cava, and Gabby Bucci are the assistant musical directors, juniors LeeAnn Nguyen and Ella Flanagan are the choreographers, junior Shannon Keller is the costumer, junior Sophia Panageas is the assistant stage manager, and junior Emma Tafe is the lead stage manager for both shows.

All performances will be held at the West Morris Central High School auditorium at 259 Bartley Road in Chester, NJ 07930.

Nunsense runs June 29 at 5:00, June 30 at 8:00, and July 1 at 2:00. 13: The Musical runs June 29 at 8:00, June 30 at 5:00, and July 1 at 8:00.

Tickets are $10 for students and $12 for general admission. To reserve tickets in advance, email wmctheatre@gmail.com with the subject “Summer Theatre Festival.”