Harrison High School Footlight Players Are One Singular Sensation

The Harrison High School Footlight Players performed their rendition of A Chorus Line Thursday, March 20th through Sunday, March 23rd in the Harrison Performing Arts Center to rave reviews.

The musical opens with the show’s director Zach, played by freshman Timothy Morris, auditioning 50 or so hopeful dancers for his new Broadway show.  The song “I Hope I Get It” is a litany of anxiety and optimism over the audition process.   Zach, with the help of his trusted dance captain Lori (played by junior Amanda Almeida) eventually whittles the hopefuls down to 17 members for a long and unorthodox call-back selection process.

In addition to the mundane information such as name, stage name, date and place of birth, Zach asks the dancers to expand on what drew them to the business of dance.  Mike, played by senior Lucas Pettinato, explains how as one of twelve children he was drawn to dance by an older sister.  In the song “I Can Do That”, Mike demonstrates his tapping prowess and his life-long enthusiasm for dance. 

Other dancers such as the acerbic Sheila, played by junior Rachel Stagg, Broadway newcomer Bebe, played by senior Emma Camillone, and wholesome Maggie, portrayed by senior Sarah Curtis, explain to Zach how they found dance as an escape to a difficult home life, elegantly performed with help of the ensembles featured dancers, in the song “At the Ballet”.

The theme of self discovery and enlightenment continues in the song “Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love”.  Mark, played by sophomore Jon Crozier, tells Zach how he learned everything he needed to know from a medical textbook he found in his father’s study. Bobbie, played by junior Alex Ostroumoff, explains her eccentricities about growing up in Buffalo, and Judy, portrayed by senior Olivia Pagano, reminisces about growing up in EL Paso Texas and moving to St. Louis. Ricki, played by junior Cassidy Donahue, talks about getting a scholarship to college but discovered there is no scholarship to life.

Don, played by freshman Matt Novak, talks about starting out in both show business and “show business” with a dancer named Lana.  Greg, played by junior Max Temkin, spoofs about his own personal “show business” and Connie, played by junior Andi Rella, laments on being 4 foot 10 at the age of thirteen….and thirty-two.

Other dancers discuss the impediments they have faced in their careers.  Christine, played by senior Sarah Crozier, with the help and comedic input of her husband Al, played by senior Alex Tosto, bemoans her inability to “Sing”.  Val, played by senior Tori Lovallo, sings of making a few “tweaks” to her outward appearance in the edited version of “Dance: Ten - Looks: Three” that has suddenly landed her National Tours. Diana, played by junior Roma Scarano, talks about her ambition to become a serious actress at the High School of the Performing Arts but is discouraged by her classmates and a mean teacher named Mr. Karp in the number entitled “Nothing.”

The most personal testimonials are reserved for Cassie, played by senior Halle Mastroberardino, and Paul, played by junior Troy Tripicchio. Cassie, who had been in a previous relationship with Zach, had left New York for the bright lights of Hollywood only to realize that her talents did not translate to the West Coast.  She returns with her proverbial hat in hand to reestablish herself in the only business she loves.  Dancing alone on the stage, Cassie releases her frustrations and pleads with Zach to hire her in a moving rendition of “Music and the Mirror”.

Paul wrestles with his humble upbringing, the discovery of his sexual orientation, and parental disappointment and ultimately support in a heart-wrenching monologue.  As the “line” returns to the stage to rehearse the closing number, Paul is injured.  The other dancers face their fears of longevity and commitment in the song “What I Did for Love” led by Diana and accompanied by the entire ensemble.

Zach makes his decision on who to hire and all 50 of the dancers return to the stage to sparkle under the lights and show why they as a cast are “One” singular sensation.

A Chorus Line, nominated for 12 Tony Awards and the winner of the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, was conceived, directed, and choreographed by the acclaimed Michael Bennett.  As a lifelong dancer and director, Mr. Bennett was genuinely interested in the creation of a performer.  A Chorus Line originated from several taped workshop sessions of professional Broadway dancers. During the audition process, Mr. Bennett extracted from the dancers their motivation and pathways to this difficult and demanding profession, one ripe with disappointment and rejection.  The late Marvin Hamlisch added the complex musical score. 

The Harrison High School Footlight Players’ production of A Chorus Line was directed and choreographed by HHS dance teacher Deborah Toteda with musical direction by HHS music teacher Lynn Fusco.  Both ladies were recognized last year by the Metropolitan High School Theater Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Choreography and Best Musical Direction for HHS’ production of Crazy for You, which also received the Metro’s highest honor of Outstanding Overall High School production.  Parsons Elementary School 4th Grade teacher Stephanie Goldman is the show’s Technical Director with the responsibility of overseeing the talented HHS technical crew.

HHS music teacher David Blumenthal conducted the orchestration of the musical.  Harrison High School is proud that seven of its own musicians played alongside professionals and teachers for this production.