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Arts & Entertainment
I managed to catch the closing performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical at Watertown High School.
Nancy Sasso Janis, Community Contributor
Review by Nancy Sasso Janis
The students at Watertown High School produced a visually stunning production of “The Phantom of the Opera.” The high school was one of only five in the country that were given the rights to the well-known musical with familiar music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe. The book for the show is by Webber and Stilgoe and is based on Le Fantome de l’Opera by Gaston Leroux.
The musical brings to life the story of the mysterious masked figure that lurks in the catacombs of the Paris Opera House who terrorizes its inhabitants. He becomes obsessed with a young soprano Christine and is determined to create a new star using whatever methods it takes.
Webber’s score includes “Think of Me,” “”The Music of the Night,” “All I Ask of You,” “Masquerade,” and the title song, as well as a host of other less-familiar musical numbers. First time viewers may enjoy hearing how they fit into the story.
I must admit that I was a bit disappointed with this musical in general. I suppose that the aspects of control do not appeal to me, nor the eerie image of the Phantom. At times I was not sure of what was happening in the plot. Finally seeing the show on stage reinforced that I have never really understood the hype surrounding this piece.
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That is not to say that I did not appreciate experiencing the show for the first time. The Watertown students had clearly worked very hard to bring “Phantom” to their stage, nailing the technical aspects and performing their roles very well.
In his 15th year, Foster Evans Reese served as both the director and choreographer of the talented students. Mindi Davidson worked as the show’s producer, as she has for the past six years, with former Watertown music teacher Anna Jedd as the choral music director and Choral Music teacher Donna Poliquin as the vocal music director.
Senior Caleb McGaffey-Shipul donned the white mask to tackle the role of The Phantom with a fine singing voice and plenty of stage presence. The young actor will attend The University of New Haven to study music in the fall. The role of Christine Daae was shared by senior Sophia Kostiuk and Jeilanny Quispe.
Mark Nicholas Albino, a Watertown HS senior who is an alum of Blessed Sacrament Children’s Theater, portrayed Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny during the opening weekend, and I saw Harrison Gowell, a senior, take on the role on the closing weekend. Albino plans to major in Music and Sound recording and minor in a business field after graduation. Gowell plans to attend Savannah College of Art and Design to pursue his passion for film production.
The supremely talented Emma Pizzolorusso performed the role of the opera diva Carlotta Giudicelli with a flawless soprano voice that made it look easy to hit all the high notes. This is the sophomore’s dream role, and her final one in Watertown before she moves out of state.
Senior Mark DeLorenzo played Ubaldo Piangi, and Cassius Pawloski played the new opera owner M. RIchard Firmin. Senior Harrison Gowell and Albino shared the role of opera owner M. Gilles Andre. Senior Brian Sotir took on the role of Joseph Buquet, the chief stagehand.
Senior Isabella Liano, who plans to major in Elementary Education in the fall, did very well with the role of the ballet mistress Madame Giry and Kiley Pienczykowski, a junior, played the role of Meg Giry. There is a limited amount of choreography, but all of it was beautifully executed by the ensemble members, especially the featured ballet dancers. Senior Veronica Rainone was the featured “Hannibal” dancer in what was a great dance number.
The director was also in charge of the set, lighting and sound design for the performances and the look of the scenes was often frighteningly effective. Senior Sebastian Creter, who plans to go on to study Theater Production and Design in the fall, gets the credit for building the large set. Creter also worked as one of the stage managers.
The costume design was stunning, filled with lush and period appropriate gowns and costumes for the stage performances. It was a joy to watch the dancers move in their beautiful costumes, and the singers, especially Pizzolorusso, bring their characters to life while wearing detailed dresses of the era.
There was a stunning drawing on the program cover designed by Lola Vaina, a senior, who intends to major in illustration in the fall. The printed program was filled with ads from supporters of the program.
The pit orchestra director Thomas Sulzicki helped the students to play the complicated score with some adult musicians, as well as playing percussion in the pit with them. Kerri Morris, was the guest orchestra conductor and the sound of the orchestra was impressive.
Congratulations to the students and the production team for taking on such a massive production. The director acknowledged the teachers and parent volunteers that helped to make the production a success.
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