Young Hopefuls Audition for Roles in Summer Musical "Curtains"

On Monday night, 's auditorium was filled with hope, energy, and ambition. Five young hopefuls came out for the first day of auditions for the community musical, "Curtains," which is scheduled to play for audiences in mid-July at the Hungarian American Citizens Club on Port Reading Avenue. 

The play, produced under the banner of the Woodbridge Community Youth Players, will be under the direction of Beth Amory, Woodbridge High School's music director. Mr. Q will serve as dancing coach.

Each of the young talents auditioning for a role in the play are what is known as a "triple threat" - each can sing, dance, and act, so they bring a lot to local stagecraft.

Jessica Luzardo, an 11th grade student at Woodbridge High, has been actively partaking in high schools plays since 9th grade. "I had a part in this year's '13,' last year's 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels' and I was in 'How to Succeed in Business' in my freshman year" said Luzardo.

Since "Curtains" is a community-wide play, actors get more exposure than they would in any average high school play, but don't have to travel too far to participate in it, she said. "I wanted more productions on my resume and because it's a community play, I won't have to go too far this summer" Luzardo said. As a singer, Luzardo has an wide vocal range.  She is a mezzo, which means that she can sing soprano 1 (the highest pitch) as well as alto 2 (the lowest pitch). Luzardo enjoys theater and hopes to pursue a major in musical theater at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Manhattan when she graduates.

"I want to be a music or drama teacher," Luzardo said.

Alex Witkowski, a Woodbridge High School alumni and currently an English teacher at South Brunswick High School, enjoys participating in musical theater on the side. "I was in the high school choir with Ms. Amory as the music director and I really liked it, so this musical will give me the opportunity to work with her again" said Witkowski, who participated in last year's summer musical, 'Grease,' under the Amory's direction.

Witkowski, who is a baritone tenor, hopes to take his talents to his teaching job at South Brunswick High School, "I want to work on directing a musical at the [South Brunswick] high school myself," he said.

Katie Lanigan, a 9th grade student at Woodbridge High, said although she wasn't in the high school play, she has performed many play excerpts for the drama club. "I love singing, dancing, and acting. Basically, I just love theater," said Lanigan, who plans to be in as many plays as she can before she graduates.

The location of the musical performance at the Hungarian Club really hits close to home for Lanigan, who is Hungarian herself. Although she doesn't know too much about the musical, Lanigan said she hopes a potential role in it will help her learn more. "I read a brief sypnosis and I love the whole mystery of it. I want to leave myself to be surprised," said Lanigan. After graduating, Langian aspires to be either a drama or music teacher.

Sarah Masperi, a senior at JFK, has been involved with plays at her high school and was in last year's production of 'Grease.' "I really like being involved in this kind of stuff, but it's just a hobby and not something I would do in the future," said Masperi.

There will be on Friday night and Saturday morning for "Curtains" at the high school's auditorium. Teens and young adults between the ages of 14 and 24 who are Woodbridge Township residents are encouraged to try out for a part. Director Amory hopes the next two audition dates bring a larger turnout.