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What Are You Doing Tonight? Support The Arts, Enjoy Acting Up!

 Around Town, Home, Latest News, Today's Events  Comments Off on What Are You Doing Tonight? Support The Arts, Enjoy Acting Up!
Nov 042017
 

The Orange Players evening of one-acts, Acting Up! was such a huge success last year, they brought it back again for 2017!

This year two of their own Orange Players, Peter Charney, and David Ortoleva, are playwrights for this wonderful evening.

Come on out to the High Plains Community Center tonight at 8 p.m. for an evening of laughter, tears, and thought-provoking stage work.

Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.orangeplayers.net/shows.htm or reservations may be made by calling The Orange Players Box Office at (475) 227-7547.

Seating will be cabaret style. Audience members are encouraged to bring noshes and small bites and make the evening a party. BYO Light Beverages.

“Acting Up” is an opportunity for playwrights to receive feedback and encouragement from audience members on unpublished works. It also welcomes novice and experienced directors to grow and challenge their skills in a supportive, learning environment.

NOTE: Adult Language and Content. Brief Violence. https://www.facebook.com/events/2047928392097161/

Get Your Tickets For The Orange Players’ Acting Up! 2017

 Around Town, Home, Latest News  Comments Off on Get Your Tickets For The Orange Players’ Acting Up! 2017
Nov 012017
 

The Orange Players will present its winter production, “Acting Up! 2017” at the High Plains Community Center, 525 Orange Center Road, on Friday, Nov. 3 and Saturday, Nov. 4 at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Acting Up! 2017, is an evening of 10 Minute unpublished One Acts by local playwrights. A special live musical pre-show performance will take place on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 7 PM by vocalist Rich Moran backed by Jeff and Judy Webber, and Noah Golden.

Cabaret-style seating, bring your own food and light alcoholic beverage.

Tickets are $20. Tickets can be purchased online until 5 PM on the night of each performance (recommended) and at the door (cash or check only).
Sorry, no refunds.

NOTE: The Playwrights and One Acts are: Elaine Alexander – “Car Talk”, Kay Bullard – “Bonnie and Clyde at the 7-11”, Peter Charney – “Math and the Moon”, Hal Corley – “Contemplata Aliis Tradere”, Susan Goodell – “Pie in the Sky”, Jayne Hannah – “Baking Soda”, Betsy MacGuire – “The Nightcap”, John Mehm – “Mirror On the Wall”, Steve Myerson – “The “L” Word”, and Dave Ortoleva – “A Play On Words”.

The Directors are Ann Baker, Patty Brotschul, Noah Golden, Jeanette Harris, Patrique Alton Hurd, Pat Miller, Jess Rodi, Gina Tracy, and Phil Tremblay.

Tickets may be purchased online by clicking this link: ACTING UP! 2017 or by calling The Orange Players Box Office at (475) 227-7547

For more information, e-mail TheOrangePlayers@gmail.com

Get Ready To Audition For Acting Up! 2017

 Around Town, Home, Latest News  Comments Off on Get Ready To Audition For Acting Up! 2017
Sep 052017
 

The Orange Players will host open auditions for its upcoming winter production of Acting Up! 2017 at the High Plains Community Center, 525 Orange Center Road, on Wednesday, Sept. 6 and Thursday, Sept. 7 from 7 to 9:15 p.m.

“A Lot” of people are needed for Acting Up! 2017, an evening of 10 Minute unpublished One Acts by local playwrights.

Performance dates are Friday, Nov. 3 and Saturday, Nov. 4.

Auditions are open to anyone 16 years of age and older. The players are looking for a variety of ages and personalities to fill roles.

Performers will be asked to do cold readings from the scripts.

Rehearsal schedules are at the discretion of the directors.

Actors are required to attend Tech rehearsal the week of October 30 (10/30, 10/31, 11/1 & 11/2 from 7 – 11 p.m.).

For more information e-mail TheOrangePlayers@gmail.com

NOTE: The Playwrights and One Acts are: Elaine Alexander – “Car Talk”, Kay Bullard – “Bonnie and Clyde at the 7-11”, Peter Charney – “Math and the Moon”, Hal Corley – “Contemplata Aliis Tradere”, Susan Goodell – “Pie in the Sky”, Jayne Hannah – “Baking Soda”, Betsy MacGuire – “The Nightcap”, John Mehm – “Mirror On the Wall”, Steve Myerson – “The “L” Word”, and Dave Ortoleva – “A Play On Words”.

The Directors are Ann Baker, Patty Brotschul, Noah Golden, Jeanette Harris, Patrique Alton Hurd, Pat Miller, Jess Rodi, Gina Tracy, and Phil Tremblay.

Opinion: Oozing With Talent, A Most Gracious Young Man Wins A Well-Deserved Award

 Amity High School, Around Town, Latest News, School News  Comments Off on Opinion: Oozing With Talent, A Most Gracious Young Man Wins A Well-Deserved Award
Jun 062013
 

Peter Charney accepting his Best Supporting Actor Award.

Peter Charney accepting his Best Supporting Actor Award.

I still remember the first time I saw Peter Charney. I was working as Editor of the Amity Observer newspaper, attending the Flag Day ceremony on the Town Green in Orange.

This little 7-year-old boy gets up in front of everyone and in a very strong voice flawlessly sang the Star Spangled Banner. I instantly became a fan.

When he became a freshman at Amity High School, I knew that with their theater and other performing arts programs, he would have a home on the Amity stage.

It didn’t matter if he was in the chorus or a bit role with one line, Peter would catch the audience’s attention the second he came into the spotlight.

As a Nazi Youth in “Then They Came For Me,” just his presence gave you chills when you realized that there were thousands of kids like that during WWII.

We also saw him in “Les Miserables,” “Bang Bang You’re Dead.”showing off his juggling skills in “Chicago,” and bigger roles in “Almost, Maine,” “Legally Blonde,” starring in the heart-wrenching “Whose Life Is It Anyway?” and then his amazing award winning performance in “Sweeney Todd.”

I think it’s obvious that everyone loves Peter. He’s not only super talented, but professional beyond his years, smart and kind.

Peter justly won the Jamie Hulley Scholarship this year, which pays the same amount toward his college tuition for four years.

He will be studying theater at Hofstra University in the Fall.

This is one young man who will be going places. I predict that he will have a Tony Award by the time he’s 30. Theater is in his blood. Performing comes naturally to him and he is convincing in whatever role you put him in. With so many talents, he can do anything…and he does everything well.

After Amity Grad Alli Kramer announced his name as Outstanding performance by an actor in a supporting role at this year’s CT High School Musical Theater Awards gala at the Palace Theater in Waterbury, Peter made an eloquent speech with his fellow actors and actresses in mind.

He said, “First of all I’d like to thank my family, friends and the entire team behind this production. No matter what anyone says, we created something beautiful. I’m proud of all of you.

I think the wonderful thing about high school theater is  that there’s so much energy. it’s vibrant, it’s exciting, and incredibly memorable.

What we do as theater people is special. We tell stories, create dreams and inspire the next group of young people to believe in the magic of what we do.

Thank you to all the teachers and directors for what you do. And to all of the underclassmen out there, cherish these moments. What you are experiencing now is like nothing else in the world.

Finally I would like to thank my friend Kevin Gray who hosted this event last year, who recently passed away. [Kevin Gray was a Broadway actor who died on Feb. 11, 2013]

Kevin you touched and inspired so many people, probably without even knowing.

So, thank you very much, have a great night everyone.”

Not A Sweep, But Amity’s Record 15 Nominations Garners 7 Wins

 Amity High School, Around Town, Latest News, School News  Comments Off on Not A Sweep, But Amity’s Record 15 Nominations Garners 7 Wins
Jun 052013
 

Amity Regional High School won Best Musical in CT at the June 4 CT High School Musical Theater Awards.

Amity Regional High School won Best Musical in CT at the June 4 CT High School Musical Theater Awards.

A lot of hard work goes a long way, no one knows that better than Rob and Andrea Kennedy. Even when a “journalist” penned a fabricated story that made national headlines, and tarnished the high school musical for some potential theater goers, the directors did not blink an eye and went on with business as usual, creating yet another award-winning production for Amity High School.

And award-winning it was, Amity High School’s Spring Musical Sweeney Todd was nominated for a total of 15 Connecticut High School Musical Theater Awards (CHSMTA) and in spite of the negativity some individuals threw at it, the theater appreciating public and professional adjudicators loved it.

At Tuesday night’s Awards Gala at the Palace Theater in Waterbury, many high school students blew the audience away with their energy and talent onstage. All  performed with the benefit of wearing their costumes during their numbers so the packed house could fully appreciate their productions. Whereas Amity’s cast took the stage in tuxedos and gowns and performed “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd” to thunderous applause and a standing ovation. And in her solo performance, Best Actress Nominee Alida Ballou totally sold “Worst Pies In London” even wearing a white goddess gown.

In the end, it was Amity’s night. It wasn’t a sweep, but with 7 awards, Amity was the big winner of the night.

Two Amity grads, John Jorge – Best Actor 2010 and Alli Kramer – Best Actress 2012, not only performed, but presented awards as well.

One of the best moments for the Amity crowd was when Alli Kramer announced the name of the Best Supporting Actor … “and the winner is Peter Charney, Amity High School!”  Charney, a senior, played Toby in Sweeney Todd. He’s been performing since he was knee-high to a grasshopper. This was his last opportunity to participate in the CHSMTA.

Two other Amity students, Kevin Durkee (Sweeney Todd) and Nicole Simon (Beggar Woman) were chosen to sing in a chorus with 18 other students from participating high schools in a tribute to the Newtown victims, performing “Seasons of Love.”

Some great moments of the evening were when four time nominated Lighting Designer Dan [“I feel like Leonardo DeCaprio”] Hassenmayer finally won.  Rob Kennedy accepted the award on his behalf, explaining that Dan was at the high school setting up lights for this weekend’s Pops Concert.

The Kennedys accepted the Outstanding Director’s award together.

And rounding out the evening, after the best actor and actress winners were announced, it was time for the top prize, “Outstanding High School Musical.” The theater erupted in deafening screams when “Amity Regional High School, Sweeney Todd,” was announced.

The entire Amity entourage took the stage and student Ted McNulty (Pirelli) and Sarah DeFeo (Dream Lucy Barker) made the acceptance speech.

So, to the critics and haters … what can I say? The people who know a thing or two about theater have spoken. Congratulations Amity. And congratulations to ALL the winners at this year’s gala.

Below is a list of all the nominees with the winners denoted in Red.

OUTSTANDING HAIR & MAKE UP ACHIEVEMENT
Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD
Newtown High School – HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS
Ridgefield High School – LES MISERABLES    Lydia Pensa
St. Paul’s Catholic – LITTLE WOMEN    Kadie Tolderlund
Trumbull High School – CRAZY FOR YOU
Regional Center for the Arts – 9 TO 5    Daniel Koye, Alison Wadsworth

OUTSTANDING COSTUMING ACHIEVEMENT

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD    Julie Chevan
Immaculate High School – IN THE HEIGHTS    Ann Brown
Ridgefield High School – LES MISERABLES    Jeannine Carr & Molly Cook
St. Paul’s Catholic – LITTLE WOMEN    Mark Mazzarella
Trumbull High School – CRAZY FOR YOU    Mary Joan Wright, Merial Cornell, Jeanette Davidson
Valley Regional High School – BRIGADOON    Tina Stoddard

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN ACHIEVEMENT

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD    Dan Hassenmayer
Immaculate High School – IN THE HEIGHTS    Eric Shutz, Dick Shutz, Nick Santanielle
Simsbury High School – ANNIE    Aaron Spivey
St. Paul’s Catholic – LITTLE WOMEN    Rich Parsons
Valley Regional High School – BRIGADOON    Doug Harry
Westhill High School – CHICAGO    Joe Vitti

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN ACHIEVEMENT

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD    Robert Kennedy
Newtown High School – HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS     Tom Matson
Immaculate High School – IN THE HEIGHTS    Joe Loya & Mary Raymond
Ridgefield High School – LES MISERABLES    Don Murphy
St. Paul’s Catholic – LITTLE WOMEN    Mark Mazzarella
Valley Regional High School – BRIGADOON

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD    Robert & Andrea Kennedy
Newtown High School – HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS    Jane Matson
Immaculate High School – IN THE HEIGHTS    Mary Raymond
Ridgefield High School – LES MISERABLES    Joyce Flanagan
St. Paul’s Catholic – LITTLE WOMEN    Mark Mazzarella
Trumbull High School – CRAZY FOR YOU    Jessica Spillane
Valley Regional High School – BRIGADOON    Ingrid Walsh

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY

Newtown High School – HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS    Jane Matson
Immaculate High School – IN THE HEIGHTS    Matthew Farina
Simsbury High School – ANNIE    Amy Borysewicz
Trumbull High School – CRAZY FOR YOU    Frank & Abigail Root
Westhill High School – CHICAGO    Emily Frangipane
 OUTSTANDING MUSIC DIRECTION

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD    Peter Randazzo
Ridgefield High School – LES MISERABLES    Joyce Flanagan
Trinity Catholic High School – LES MISERABLES    Christopher Rich
Trumbull High School – CRAZY FOR YOU    Jerold Goldstein
Valley Regional High School – BRIGADOON    Ryan Driscoll & Laura Traver
Waterbury Arts Magnet School – IN THE HEIGHTS     John Mobillo

OUTSTANDING ORCHESTRA

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD
Newtown High School – HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS
Darien High School – GUYS & DOLLS
East Lyme High School – LEADER OF THE PACK
Ridgefield High School – LES MISERABLES

OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTRESS

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD    Alida Baliou  – MRS. LOVETT
Immaculate High School – IN THE HEIGHTS    Deanna Lasco – VANESSA
Regional Center for the Arts – 9 TO 5    Jonelle Sedgwick- VIOLET NEWSTEAD
Ridgefield High School – LES MISERABLES    Tara Mazur – EPONINE
Ridgefield High School – LES MISERABLES    Allie Short – COSETTE
St. Paul’s Catholic – LITTLE WOMEN    Jillian Caillouette – JO MARCH
Trinity Catholic High School – LES MISERABLES    Julia Capogrossi – EPONINE

OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTOR

Newtown High School – HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS    Taylor Vargas  – J. PIERPONT FINCH
Immaculate High School – IN THE HEIGHTS    Michael Hudak – UNSAVI
Ridgefield High School – LES MISERABLES    Sam Gravitte – JEAN VALJEAN
Trumbull High School – CRAZY FOR YOU    Matt Johnson – BOBBY CHILD
Westhill High School – CHICAGO    Richard Westfahl – BILLY FLYNN

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD    Shaylen Harger – JOHANNA
East Lyme High School – LEADER OF THE PACK    Emily Young – DARLENE LOVE
Ridgefield High School – LES MISERABLES    Elizabeth D’Aiuto – MMD. THERNARDIER
St. Paul’s Catholic – LITTLE WOMEN    Jean Kenney – MARMEE
Simsbury High School – ANNIE    Kerrie Maguire – MISS HANNIGAN
Stamford High School – GUYS & DOLLS    Alex Cahr – MISS ADELAIDE
Valley Regional High School – BRIGADOON    Grace Carver – MEG BROCKIE

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD    Peter Charney – TOBY
Immaculate High School – IN THE HEIGHTS – Benny    Nick Gerbo – BENNY
Regional Center for the Arts – 9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL    Jared Smith – FRANKLIN M. HART JR.
Stamford High School – GUYS & DOLLS    Sam Strizver – NATHAN DETROIT

OUTSTANDING CHORUS

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD
Regional Center for the Arts – 9 TO 5
Ridgefield High School – LES MISERABLES
Suffield Academy – HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS (?) will double check
Trumbull High School – CRAZY FOR YOU
Valley Regional High School – BRIGADOON
Waterbury Arts Magnet School – IN THE HEIGHTS

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMER

East Lyme High School – LEADER OF THE PACK    Mary Scheyder – ANNIE GOLDEN
Ridgefield High School – LES MISERABLES    Kent Coleman – ENJOIRAS
Stamford High School – GUYS & DOLLS    Bennett Leads – NICELY-NICELY JOHNSON
Valley Regional High School – BRIGADOON    Seamus McGinley – HARRY BEATON

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE GROUP

Simsbury High School – ANNIE    The Orphans
Newtown High School – HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS    The Secretaries
Trumbull High School – CRAZY FOR YOU – Follies Girls    Beth Murphy, Marisa Noschese, Carley Berlin, Ava Gallo, Katherine Griffin, Kayla Murry, Rakshana Selvarajan, Ya’Monei Teel
Westhill High School – CHICAGO – Cellblock Tango Women    Erica Casinelli, Jessica Freedman, Madeline Bria, Zoe DePresta, Lauren Wilson

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD
Newtown High School – HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS
Immaculate High School – IN THE HEIGHTS
Ridgefield High School – LES MISERABLES
St. Paul’s Catholic High School – LITTLE WOMEN
Trumbull High School – CRAZY FOR YOU

OUTSTANDING LOBBY DISPLAY

Immaculate High School – IN THE HEIGHTS    Gail Archer, Sue Guidera, Donna Lasco, Mary Stocks
Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD    Cheri Charney & Tom Lawler
St. Paul’s Catholic – LITTLE WOMEN    Mark Mazzarella
New Britain High School – AIDA
Valley Regional High School – BRIGADOON    Tina Stoddard

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
(5 awards presented out of 16 nominees and 8 finalists)

Trumbull High School – CRAZY FOR YOU
Greg St. Germain – Student Lighting Design

Waterbury Arts Magnet School – IN THE HEIGHTS
Claire Gaudette – PSM

Ridgefield High School – LES MISERABLES
Catherine Heller – Scenic Artist

Valley Regional High School – BRIGADOON
Benedict Stephens – Student Percussion

Newtown High School – HOW TO SUCCEED
Sean Watkins – Stage Manager

ACHIEVEMENT IN ARTS EDUCATION AWARDS

Plainfield High School – WILLY WONKA
Brian Stevenson & Kevin Marino

OUTSTANDING GRAPHIC DESIGN

Westhill High School — CHICAGO.

 

The 4th President’s Award

Cary Dupont — St. Paul’s Catholic HS

Amity’s Sweeney Todd Has14 Nominations for CT High School Musical Awards Tonight

 Amity High School, Latest News, Today's Events  Comments Off on Amity’s Sweeney Todd Has14 Nominations for CT High School Musical Awards Tonight
Jun 042013
 

IMG_0644The ballots are in, the judges have deliberated and Amity High School is up for 14 categories in the 2013 Ct High School Musical Awards, (The Most Nominations of All Participating Schools) including Outstanding Lead Actress, Outstanding Supporting Actress and Supporting Actor, Director, Orchestra and more.

I would Love to see Alida Ballou go to New York City for the National High School Musical Awards. And best of luck to Peter Charney, you’re a senior so you just have to win!

Congratulations to all the nominees. You all deserve to win!

The CT High School Musical Awards take place tonight, Tuesday, June 4 in Waterbury.

OUTSTANDING HAIR & MAKE UP ACHIEVEMENT

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD

OUTSTANDING COSTUMING ACHIEVEMENT

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD
Julie Chevan

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN ACHIEVEMENT

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD
Dan Hassenmayer

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN ACHIEVEMENT

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD
Robert Kennedy

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD
Robert & Andrea Kennedy

OUTSTANDING MUSIC DIRECTION

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD
Peter Randazzo

OUTSTANDING ORCHESTRA

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD

OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTRESS

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD
Alida Baliou – MRS. LOVETT

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD
Shaylen Harger – JOHANNA

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD
Peter Charney – TOBY

OUTSTANDING CHORUS

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD

OUTSTANDING LOBBY DISPLAY

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD
Cheri Charney & Tom Lawler

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

For the visuals that we saw on the background screens during the show.

Amity Students Perform At Disney World

 Amity High School, Around Town, Latest News, School News  Comments Off on Amity Students Perform At Disney World
Apr 232013
 

Scholarship winner Peter Charney takes center stage with Bowen Kirwood and Kevin Durkee

Scholarship winner Peter Charney takes center stage with Bowen Kirwood and Kevin Durkee

104 members of the Amity High School Band, Theater and Choir spent last week in Walt Disney World performing as part of the “Disney Performing Arts Program.”

Students have been fundraising for the trip since last October selling pies, cookie dough, candles, program ads and paper shredding.

The five-day trip included workshops and performances.

Amity Performing Arts Teacher Rob Kennedy gave this rundown of the activities:

“The band students worked with a Walt Disney conductor from their animation studio to rehearse and record tracks from famous Disney films, the theater and choir students participated in an audition workshop with casting agents from Walt Disney Theatrical learning material from the musical Mary Poppins and the technical Theater Students participated in a 6 hour behind the scenes walking tour of the Magic Kingdom where they went underground, backstage and in depth into the design and day to day running of Americas favorite theme park.”

“The students also performed on the Lakeside Stage at Downtown Disney thrilling crowds from around the world,” Kennedy said. “As the trip was a huge success the Amity Performing Arts Department plans on making this a Bi- Annual trip for Amity Students.”

All Photos Courtesy of Marie Pedenski .

The Perfect Theater Review (From The Amity Observer)

 Amity High School, Around Town, Home, Latest News, Today's Events  Comments Off on The Perfect Theater Review (From The Amity Observer)
Apr 132013
 

IMG_1083A must read from the Amity Observer: I brought Betina to Thursday night’s performance of Sweeney Todd at Amity High School and occasionally, from the corner of my eye, I could see the wheels turning as she took everything in.

I don’t write theater reviews, but if I did, I could only hope that it would be a fraction as good as this piece by Betina Thiel in the Amity Observer.

Theater veterans Marianne Miller and Ken Lenz said this production is better than the one they saw on Broadway with Patty Lupone.

There are still a few seats left for tonight’s show, so do yourself a favor and get over to Amity for closing night. I promise it will be spectacular!

Click on the Sweeney Todd Sign on the Left side of the page for the ticket page.

 

Opinion: Are You Kidding Me? Why Isn’t This Play Sold Out Yet?

 Amity High School, Latest News, School News  Comments Off on Opinion: Are You Kidding Me? Why Isn’t This Play Sold Out Yet?
Dec 042012
 

Saturday Night’s Performance

Friday Night’s Performance

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, so it’s not a booming award winning musical spectacular that you scramble to get into in the summer, but I haven’t seen the Amity auditorium this bare before a show since before Rob Kennedy took over the theater program.

Perhaps it’s because Amity residents aren’t yet aware of how wonderful the non-musical shows at the High School are, or what you are missing.

At only $10 — Less than that heart attack in a bag that you may have for dinner, this show, “Whose Life Is It Anyway” will move you more than the Twilight movies and engage your thoughts when you think about what real people, your neighbors, like the late Bob Crocco or Bethany Firefighter Keith Johnstone face(d) every day after their lives took a tragic turn.

A Scene from “Whose Life Is It Anyway”

The lead actor Peter Charney is not singing, dancing or juggling in this play, rather, he lies in a bed and will grip you with his emotions and the real challenges his character faces with a quick witted comment, laugh or smirk.

The cast and crew have put a lot of time into this production and it is well worth the price of admission.

Get your tickets today! (no, they didn’t pay me to say this. I just truly believe in it.)

There are two public performances of Whose Life Is It Anyway? on Friday December 7th and Saturday December 8th at 8pm.  Both performances will be held at the John J. Brady Center for the Performing Arts on the campus at Amity High School.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.amitytheaterdepartment.com all seats are $10.

 

 

Opinion: This Play Is Genius! Get Your Tickets NOW!

 Amity High School, Latest News  Comments Off on Opinion: This Play Is Genius! Get Your Tickets NOW!
Dec 032012
 

Amity Senior Peter Charney stars in Whose Life Is It Anyway?

The Amity High School theater department presents the gripping medical drama Whose Life is it Anyway?

Who should decide when or if a patient may end his or her own life? That is the dilemma of the play “Whose Life Is It Anyway?” by Brian Clark, produced by the Amity Creative Theater this Friday and Saturday.

After a horrible car accident, an artist is left paralyzed from the neck down. Confined to a hospital bed with feeding tubes providing nutrients, the artist believes there is nothing left to live for while a well-meaning hospital staff tries to convince their patient not to give up hope. Everything leads to a court hearing held in the artist’s hospital room as a judge must determine who gets to make the final decision for the patient.

The Amity production stars Amity senior Peter Charney as Ken Harrison in a very demanding role which requires him to play a paraplegic.  Kens concerned and caring doctor Joan Scott is played by senior Sabrina Brier.  Rounding out the cast is April Rock, Miriam Roday, James Ottaviano, Matt Burkhart, Ted McNulty, Alida Ballou, Maya Rose, Bowen Kirwood, Kahari Blue, Rishi Mutalik and Gabrielle Airdo.

I sat in on a rehearsal this week and was moved by Peter Charney’s magnificent portrayal. The character speaks to me as I saw my dear friend Bob Crocco go through many of the same emotions during his battle with ALS.

I’ve known (of) Peter since he was 7 years old and watched him in different performances and I looked forward to seeing him in a perfect role to showcase his acting talent.

At Amity we’ve seen Peter sing, act, juggle and entertain us in many memorable roles. Peter is a senior now and this is one of the last opportunities you’ll have to see him on the Amity Stage. Buy your tickets now.

As is tradition at Amity the play will be presented to all the students grade 8-12 from December 4th to the 7th as part of the Spartan Seminar program.  Students will discuss the plays legal and moral issues before viewing the play and engage in a question and answer session after each performance with the cast, crew and Amity teacher Jim Clifford who also is an attorney.  The play is directed by Amity Theater teacher Rob Kennedy, with costumes by Julie Chevan and Lighting by Dan Hassenmayer.

There will also be two public performances of Whose Life Is It Anyway? on Friday December 7th and Saturday December 8th at 8pm.  All performances will be held at the John J. Brady Center for the Performing Arts on the campus at Amity High School.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.amitytheaterdepartment.com all seats are $10.

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