Revue: Student To Present Songs From Popular Musicals

senior Nich Roehler will be vocal director as the  Theatre Troupe presents the revue showcase, “Songs From Shows We Can’t Do Here,” tonight through Saturday.

“[Some songs are] from more popular musicals, and a few [songs are] from not-so-popular musicals,” according to Amanda Kolakowski, the show’s director and a 2009 Nazareth High graduate. “I think we selected good genres. I think there’s something for everybody."

Among the songs to be performed are: 

• Two songs from the play “Wicked”
• A song from “Hairspray”
• A piece from “Next to Normal”
• “Time Warp” from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”

Kolakowski, who is a theatre major at , said “Songs From Shows We Can’t Do Here” is different than the productions usually produced at Nazareth.

For one, it will feature songs from several different musicals, she said. For another, the songs will be from shows that the school can't put on for various reasons, including cast size, unavailability of rights and even the fact that Nazareth has a predominantly white enrollment -- race can become a factor in choosing a musical, she said.

Perhaps the most unique feature of the uncommon production is that it is entirely student-run. The actors and the pit orchestra members are all high school students.

Kolakowski hopes the production will show community members that even though students are running the show, they "can still put on an amazing production."

Another interesting feature of “Songs From Shows We Can’t Do Here” is that every actor in the cast of 19 will perform a solo.

Jim DeNora, the regular-season director of the theatre troupe, will be the acting producer. He is the only non-student involved in the actual production.

The theatre troupe is a club at the high school, but it does not receive any funding from the district. Instead, the troupe's funding comes from ticket and concession sales. Because the troupe is not funded by the district, students from other school districts -- even colleges, in Kolakowski's case -- are allowed to participate in productions.

When: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 2 - 4,  7:30 p.m. 

Where: Nazareth Area High School auditorium, next to the high school's 501 E. Center St. entrance.

Ticket Information: Tickets for Thursday's show will be $5 each.
Tickets for the shows on Friday and Saturday will be $8 for adults, $6 for students.