Chairman Chronicles for 2019 Londonderry OHD

August 20, 2019

Once in a while, I need to do the Chairman Chronicles for Old Home Day.  This year is one of those years.  It was a pleasure once again to serve with such great people and volunteers who work tirelessly, with no fanfare, to make sure that everything works and goes without a hitch.  We hope that this was accomplished this year, and without further eloquence, here is the five-day event in a “Nutfield” – sorry, in a nutshell.  Get it?

Wednesday night was a first in the 20 years of running OHD, and it worked out perfectly.  The senior barbeque at the Lions was such a success and the Concert on the Common, with the Beach Boy tribute band All Summer Long, was groovy.  Cathy Blash, the Town’s Senior Center Director, planned and presented a perfect evening.  She coordinated purchasing the food, flowers, and all of the special upgrades to make this a fun event for our seniors in the community. They loved it and the laughter flowed.  You nailed it Cathy.

Thank you to LPD. They served the food to our seniors along with Senator Sharon Carson and Town Manager Kevin Smith.  To the Londonderry Police Department, YOU ROCKED OLD HOME DAY.  Thank you so much for your service and commitment to the community you serve.

And thanks to Stephen and Julie Lee.   They came up with an idea of taking Concerts on the Common through Old Home Day.  With less volunteers over the years, the committee jumped on it.  Could anyone ask for a better end to senior night?

Thursday night, the Kidz had their fun.  Bounce houses, wild animals, local PTA’s, clowns and so much more.  Once again Dan Lekas planned the event, and he did a great job.  Dan does his work behind the scenes, much like everyone else on the committee.  He cares about the community and wants everyone to just have a good time.  Some of the best pictures we get that night are of children and families crossing the street and heading over to the Lions parking lot.  Those beautiful shiny red trucks put such a smile on every child’s face, and the parents too. It just makes you feel like home.  Londonderry Fire, thanks for all you do and all of the hard work you put in for the entire weekend.  YOU ROCK, and the new firehouse is striking and befitting of the department and Londonderry.

Friday dawns and the weather has cooperated.   The Londonderry Police and Fire versus the Derry Police and Fire softball game is a hit.  LONDONDERRY WINS! Manchuka plays to a large crowd and the fireworks are just awesome. I can’t remember ever saying, “I can’t believe I’m actually getting tired of watching fireworks.”  The finale just blew us away.  If you left early to beat the traffic – mistake, big mistake.  Thanks to the ground crew from the school district.  You guys just quietly do your job.  We still think you should have turned on the irrigation system on the field to move the youth along so you could have gotten home earlier.

Saturday, at the crack of dawn, the committee is at work for the big day.  Thanks to Kristen Ducharme for putting all that work into the baby contest so Londonderry could crown our new Little Miss and Little Master.  Did you know that the baby contest has been around for over 25 years? Before the committee took the tradition over, it was run by the Women’s Club.  When they no longer wanted to do it, OHD felt it could not be lost.  Members of the committee stepped in and it has been under OHD ever since.  We were going to end it one year but the outcry from the community stopped that decision.

The parade.  The history of the many volunteers that have run the parade.  Hard work to the core.  Thankful for everyone that took the task on.  There is only a handful of us.  Maybe we should come up with a patch?   No one can understand unless they have done it.  Great parade and so thankful for seven bands this year.  The best part was three out of the seven were from our local high school rivals. Londonderry, we are always proud, but you’ve got some competition coming your way.  Bedford and Pinkerton band directors are both graduates of the Londonderry Lancer Music program.   What a living legacy to the retired leader of the band.

We did have a few politicians.  Only problem was Bill DeBlasio was supposed to have his own spot in the parade.  He changed has mind and decided to march with the Democrat contingent.  The parade organizers had no idea that this had happened.  When his security detail didn’t move, they got an earful.  A dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. You’ve entered Londonderry Old Home Day Parade.  All worked out in the end, and it gave us the best laugh of the day.

The parade ends.  Weather still cooperating.  And what to my wandering eyes should appear? A Fire Chief waiting for the Police Chief to show up for the Strong Man contest.  For a while there, we thought it might be a forfeit.  However, Chief Hart showed up and did we get a show.  Chief O’Brien, our money was on you all along. But nobody expected what Councilor Butler would do.  Jim Butler, the strongman of Londonderry!

The mystery of the empty time capsule still riddles us all. I think it was Colonel Pillsbury (Civil War Fame) and Miss Peabody Row, with a pipe, in the Derry Public Library. Nobody has a “clue” what happened there.  It was stored in the library sometime after being sealed in 1969. Did you know that Clue, the board game, is 70 years old this year?

The events on the common, wildlife encounters and of course our champion BINGO caller, Bob Ciarletta.  Mary Wing Soars with Sings.  Just everyone on the committee you are all special people.  Without you this great event would not happen.

Thanks to Londonderry Lancer, John Mortimer and Millennium Running for putting together a new tradition at Old Home Day.  The Boot Scootin’ Boogie 5K and Brewfest was a new high energy event to close out Saturday, and Old Home Day. It rocked!

On a final note, we could probably find a quote from someone with a much more eloquent tongue.  However, all of us are really happy with how it all turned out. We don’t know if it was the intention of the article published in a local newspaper to hurt Old Home Day or to be helpful.   Consequently, it did do something positive and amazing.  It brought a community that, through the daily hassles of life, cell phones, play dates, back to school, and anything else in between, made us all realize that we have a common goal.  Be happy; life is good in Londonderry.  No matter what you think or as hokey as it looks – Old Home Day is Londonderry.  It is the single most binding event for over 120 years in this community.

As the chairman, I do not speak for any member on the committee.  However, I do appreciate everything they do. The giving of their time. The volunteers that show up year after year.  The organizations that participate and care about the event as much as we do.

Londonderry, it was a blast!  See you next year!

And from Mr. Reed Paige Clark III – Carry On.

 

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By admin | Posted in Announcements, Around Nutfield, Around Town, History, Londonderry Landmarks, Music, Outdoors, Public Meetings, Schools, Seniors, Youth 0 to 6, Youth 10 to 18 | Tagged , , | Comments off

High School Musical presented by Kids Coop Theatre

July 26, 2018

HSM grouoIn 1972 a story appeared on the Broadway stage of a high school boy from the wrong side of the tracks and a girl from the right side, who meet over the summer and fall in love, without the pressures that their opposing ‘clicks’ would place on them. When school begins, so does a whole new scene, where they each have to be what their friends expect, not who they truly are. Fast forward to 2006 and the story gets a modern twist in the lives of Troy and Gabrielle, jock and shy beauty, of East High School.

Playing Troy, the accomplished singer, athlete and scholar in Kids Coop’s production of “High School Musical”. which will be presented Friday and Saturday, July 27th and 28th at the Derry Opera House, is Josh Ozaroff. Josh has delighted audience members in his past performances in other KCT productions, most notably the role of LeFou in Beauty and the Beast, and shows why the producers and directors choose him to be the lead in this production through his acting, singing, and dancing in his role.  Playing Gabriella is Allison Newey, presenting herself superbly as the shy new girl that no one at East Side High knows. She meets Troy over winter break, but when they get back to school, their friends try to keep them apart, breaking hearts along the way. Allison has been in four other Kids Coop productions and has earned her role in center stage.

Showing the versatility of the talent she possesses is Isabella Charlebois, playing mean girl Sharpay Evans who will do anything

HSM Twins

Ryan Carrigan and Isabella Chointere

to keep Troy away from Gabriella.  Isabella has played a myriad of roles with both Kids Coop Theatre and her Middle School, including Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family, Tinkerbell in Peter Pan, Flounder in The Little Mermaid and Jemima Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.  She has auditioned for and had call backs to company shows for Broadway and it is evident why she is pursuing this passion.

Ryan Carrigan plays Sharpay’s twin brother, a character who follows his sister without question, having, as Ryan says, “blond moments” but he eventually stands up to Sharpay.  Ryan has done several shows, most recently as Marty the Zebra in Madagascar, Jr., and Horton the Elephant in Seussical the Musical.

The relationships become more complicated when the audience learns that the Coach of Troy’s basketball team is Troy’s father, played by Dakota Gosselin.  Dakota notes the character is pretty hard on his son in the play, but of course will see the importanceHigh School Musical playing of Troy’s happiness over anything, as any good father would feel.  This is Dakota’s first show with KCT. Alumnus John Rodgers was student teaching at Dakota’s school and encouraged him to try out for the show.

Stepping in front of the lights is Ruthie Vinson who plays Kelsi, a follower of Sharpay.  Ruthie has been involved with nine Kids Coop shows, directing three of them. Her most recent production with Kids Coop was Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  Ivy Phillips has her first role out of the ensemble in the character of Miss Darbus. She is the theatre teacher and director in the play and says it is a really fun character to portray.  Ivy believes that the arts are important and she pushes for that in her school, so it is fitting that she has this role: art imitating life. She says her character is ‘very out there’ and loads of fun to play.

The directors are an amazing team who have worked together before: Marilyn Olbricht, artistic director; Amanda Morgan, music director; and Jen Ryder, choreographer.  Amanda Morgan is seen around the theatre scene as music director for several different companies, such as Peacock Players, and Actor Singers, sometimes doing two shows simultaneously.  This summer her focus is completely on this show which she is enjoying tremendously. Marilyn Olbricht commented that the 13-18 year old actors in this show are a delight to work with. While she did this show with Hood Middle School students, she notes that each cast brings their own energy and flavor; this case has such great talent that it is evident in each number.  Jen Ryder, though new to Kids Coop, is not new around the theatre scene having worked with Actor Singers, the Palace Theatre and the Majestic. She received her training at the Bedford Dance Center.

 

Playing cheerleaders are Zelda Howard-Mart, Ella Koelb, Nicolette Manrique, Adriana Nadeau, Gabrielle Page, Emily Smith, and Zoe Sternberg.  Brainiacs abound and are played by Colleen Bahan, Ellie Cook, Maya Lincoln, Lindsay McAlpine, and Bryn HSM cheerleadersSteinmetz. Those playing actors within the play are Lily Barrett, Jason Cain, Madison Cayer, Annalise Kuhlmann, Simone Labell, Bella Perrotta, and Alletta Remillard.  The skaters in the show are Madison Barbrick, Joelle Choiniere, Erin Downey, Maddison Sylvain and Braeden Tremain. Rounding out the cast is Jenna Sylvain as Chad Danforth, Jack Downey as Zeke Baylor, Chase Elliott as Jack Scott, Gianna Fowler as Taylor Mckessie, Angelina Gonzalez as Jason, Madison Hawkes as Martha Cox and Alyssa Rzasa as a Jock.

Tickets for this show will be available at the door.  The show will be presented Friday, July 27th and Saturday 28th at 7pm, and Saturday at 1pm at the Derry Opera House, Derry, NH or online at kidscooptheatre.org.

 

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By MWS | Posted in Around Nutfield, Around Town, Arts, Music, Performing arts, Schools, Youth 10 to 18 | Comments off

Moose Lottery Deadline is May 25, 2018

May 20, 2018

Want a chance to hunt moose in New Hampshire this fall? The deadline for entering the New Hampshire moose hunt lottery is May 25, 2018. It costs just $15 for residents and $25 for nonresidents to enter the lottery (non-refundable). A total of 51 permits are proposed to be issued this year. The state’s moose hunt will run from October 20-28, 2018. Last year, the statewide hunter success rate was 69%.

Each applicant can enter the lottery once a year. A bonus point system improves the chances for unsuccessful applicants who apply each consecutive year. Don’t miss a year, or you’ll lose your points! If you know you’ll be unable to hunt in 2018, just apply for a bonus point only to continue to earn points. Hunters who are drawn and accept a permit are not eligible to enter the lottery or apply for a bonus point for the following three years.

Apply now by clicking here, where you can apply online or print out a mail-in application. Lottery applications for 2018 must be postmarked or submitted online by midnight Eastern Time on May 25, 2018, or delivered to NH Fish and Game headquarters in Concord before 4 PM that day.

Whether you’re applying online or with a paper application, don’t wait until the last minute to apply! To minimize the chance of an error, applicants are encouraged to apply online.

If you are submitting a paper application, allow yourself a little extra time in case your application is incomplete or not filled out properly. If this happens before the deadline, your application will be returned and, if there’s time, you can correct and resubmit it. Every year, Fish and Game gets a few last-minute paper applications that cannot be corrected in time, as well as calls from disappointed folks who waited until the last minute to apply online and missed the deadline because of a computer glitch. Don’t wait, apply now!

For more information on moose hunting in New Hampshire, click here.

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Rose Bowl LHS Marching Band Trip part 2

January 1, 2018

Our days in the hotel begin with a meeting where important information of the day is disseminated out to the group. This morning was no exception.  Mr. Soucy complemented our travelers on their journey here and invited Superintendent Laliberte to read a letter of congratulations from Senator Shaheen.  Mr. Parent spoke next, reading a letter also congratulating the Lancers, from Senator Hassen.  They both expressed their pride in having the Londonderry High School Marching Band and Color Guard represent our state.

 

We loaded the instruments on the busses and headed to a private high school facility.  There was the smell of basil in the air as the musicians unloaded their instruments at Damien Spartan HS, a high LHS band practicingschool that graciously opened their field to us for practice. We were able to run the field show twice, something they haven’t been able to do on the cold, snow covered field back in Londonderry since early November.  Though the timing of ‘Sweet Caroline’ was off the first time through, they quickly remembered their rhythm and it was played with precision the second time through.  Then, inAndy Soucy and Color Guard making presentation condensed marching formation, the band marched over to the David and Margaret Youth and Family Services Home, to do a performance and make a donation to their program. This year’s Tournament of Roses theme is Music in Arts Making a difference and along with the Londonderry Music Program, the Lancers donated four ukeles and four guitars to the home.

 

The band performed for the publicity coordinator, and all those in the neighborhood of the Youth and Family Services Home, a few of the numbers they will be playing on the parade route. Two women, women watching bandBeverly Kottkam and Lisa Pittman, who brought out a lawn chair to sit and enjoy the show, were very complimentary of the band and look forward to seeing us on Monday morning.  The mission of the Home is to “empower children, youth, and families through culturally diverse services that foster emotional, educational, spiritual, and identity development.” They service over 1,000 youth and their families annually.  Our gift was very well received.

Next it was off to Rose Bowl stadium for the band picture and a very special ceremony honoring Mr. BrickSoucy on the occasion of the 5th trip to the parade.  The President of the Rose Bowl Parade on the 4th occassion of the band performing in the parade, had given Mr. Soucy his own ‘brick’ which is encased along the entrance to the stadium.  This year, the four past presidents of the

Andy Soucy and past Rose Bowl Presidents

Mr. Soucy and the past president (photo courtesy of J. Dupree)

parades that the Lancers have participated in presented Mr. Soucy with a replica of the brick, which now has 2018 carved in it.  Mr. Soucy is the first to admit that it is the Lancers who deserve the honors, not him, but it goes without saying that without him at the helm, many of the wonderful things that do happen for the Lancers, would not.  His style, demeanor and class make him a man that people remember fondly, which makes doors open for the Londonderry Lancers.

Lining up the Lancers by height is a challenge, but the team at the Rose Bowl are experts and had the job done just in time for ESPN to grab them as a transition shot to the news in sports.  As someone on Facebook wrote, “Timing is everything.”  We were not allowed within the photo area, so the plethera of chaperones snapped away from behind the fence, obscured by trees, cars and other paraphernalia. We Rose Parade float decoratingwalked through the area where the floats were being prepared.  We had a limited amount of time so it was a very quick peek.  Still, quite impressive.

 

Another trip back to the busses for the drive to Pasadena City College and the second performance of the day, for Band Fest.  The Lancers, (which is also Pasadena’s name, and which also has banners waving which read “Onward Lancers”), disembarked the busses after a short detour around the block to kill time – we were early; and were taken for the California famous “In and Out” Burger.  Nearest we can tell, it is not unlike the 5 Guys Burgers we have in the east, but the only people who were treated to them were the band and staff.  The rest of we chaperones were on our own for lunch and ended up at various places nearby.  As we returned to the college to get ready for the Lancer performance, we saw many Londonderry parent ‘followers’ in line waiting to get into the stadium.  The excitement was high as we waited to see them perform.  I’m sure you have seen the videos posted by various parents, and there will be a formal one done by the video crew – the Dupuis, who have one son in the band and will have another one next year.  The quality of video they produce is impressive.  This is a picture of the band show that they captured.  Such an eye!

Band Fest

Following the bands performance, we hydrated, courtesy of the volunteers handing out water bottles and walked back to the busses to change into street clothes and head to Medieval Times.  This is a favorite of most of the band, who appreciate the opportunity to scream and yell for their favorite knight.  The Lancers were in the green and blue sections.  Our bus driver told us that the section who yells the loudest always wins, while others who have gone before said the green section always wins, no matter what.  As it turns out, it would have been difficult to determine which of the two sections was the loudest, as the Lancers can make some noise, even without an instrument in their hands, but the green knight prevailed.

 

After a quick reload of the bus, a check to be sure all were aboard we headed back to the hotel.  In very short order most of the rooms were quiet, with only a few having the energy to stay up talking.

 

 

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By MWS | Posted in Around Nutfield, Around Town, Music, Performing arts, Schools | Comments off

The Magic of Christmas….

December 23, 2017


A few years back our wonderful Rotary Club was in need of a Santa and Mrs. Claus.  They asked our retired Fire Chief Al Sypeck if he would be Santa, and next thing I knew Al stopped by my office for a visit and said he thought I should be Mrs. Claus!  Well as my saying goes we never really know what a day will bring.   That was three years ago!  Al and I were not really sure back then how we would be or if we would even be believable, but we just hoped and prayed that the magic of Christmas would lead the way for us and it did.

As corny as it might sound, something truly magical really does happen once Al and I are dressed in our Santa and Mrs. Claus Outfits.  Neither of us have ever done any acting at all, but once we put the final touches on our wigs, and I add a little rosy pink to our cheeks, we become Santa and Mrs. Claus!  We even have our elf too, Kirby Brown, who passes out candy canes and helps the little ones along.

What I just can’t get over about the gift that our Rotary brings to local children is that inviting families, to see Santa, really does make us all equal.  Santa and Mrs. Claus have no favorites; everyone is loved and cared for, equally even if only for a few minutes.

At events like Christmas on the Common, Santa Live, or the wonderful Christmas movie night that our Police Department put on, again everyone is the same.  It doesn’t matter how much money you have or don’t have.   The events are free and everyone is truly welcomed and loved!  Food, Candy Canes, Hot Cocoa and so much more are provided at no charge or burden to the family.  It’s a place that a family having a difficult time can bring their children and share in the magic of Christmas, and even take that family picture too if they like.

It’s making me very teary as I’m typing to you now, thinking back to some of the experiences that Al and I shared this Christmas season.  Little ones being brought up by their families who you knew were having rough times at home, illness, lose jobs, financial worries, but just for that moment in time while they were sitting with us, that magic puts all of that behind them.  Even the parents look at Santa and Mrs. Claus with that magic in their eyes, of knowing but not knowing for sure really.

Big and little people of all ages, really do stare at us in wonder…again that just maybe, the idea of hopes, dreams, and magic really does exist.

I “believe” that’s what we all find in the story of the nativity too.  A new birth, faith, the possibility of a new beginning.  It doesn’t matter what your religion is, that’s the message of the season of Christmas.  It reminds us to not judge each other, but to help each other to hold each other’s hands, and do what we can.  To remember that we are all equal. That’s what this season is all about.

There is such a magic to the month of December and yes it really has everything too with Christmas.  No matter which holiday you and your family celebrate, it really is that magic that Christmas, December 25th, brings to us each year.

In its simplest form, the birth of a child.  There is something magical and hopeful about each child’s birth.  This year in our family we were blessed with the birth of Julia O’Brien Henniger, who was born on November 27th, in Toronto Canada.  It didn’t matter to us how far away she was, we wanted to be there to share in the joy and the hope of a new little one in the world, a new member of our small family, truly a gift from God in my book.

Just this week a wonderful new dad, Dan Arias, stopped by the town hall to pick up his new baby son’s Birth Certificate.  As Dan was waiting, I asked if Matthias was their first child.  Dan said yes, but that they had been trying to start their family for 10 years… yes 10 years.  Dan and his wife Maria had been using IVF In-Vitro Fertilization and each time they would get excited something would go wrong.  This time they both agreed it would be their last try.  They even started the process to become foster parents and still plan to help another child too.

Dan described the day that they went for their agreed upon last IVF.  He said there had been a flood in the proper room for the procedure, power had been lost, you name it, and it went wrong.  Dan’s wife was very upset but as they were leaving Dan told her he knew this time was going to work.

Their baby son, Matthias was born this December and his name means Gift from the Lord.

I kept having this strange feeling that I knew Dan but I just couldn’t place where.  After he left, I realized he had forgotten a piece of paper that he needed, so I ran after him calling his name.  Again we talked and I asked Dan if I could share their story with you.  He said if it could give hope to other couples going through the same thing, it would be okay.

Well when I returned to my office to file his request, it finally hit me… this was the same Dan Arias that out of nowhere stopped what he was doing that day with the town, to help us unload the truck that was going to help the flood victims.  I bet you might remember him now too.

Each year Al and I are blessed with new request for ways we can help people in need as Santa and Mrs. Claus.  St. Gianna’s Place, one of our newest non-profit organizations in New Hampshire is trying to raise money so that they can purchase a house. They want to offer mom’s facing pregnancy alone, a safe harbor, emotional support, education, and a welcoming home.   We were asked if we would mind being auctioned off at the St. Gianni’s Spaghetti Dinner and Auction to help raise money so that they can buy that house!  Well we loved idea!!!!  A lovely family, the Harrington’s from Pelham made the final bid and just this last Sunday Santa and Mrs. Claus made a guest appearance at their yearly family Christmas Celebration. Eighty people were there to welcome us!

Another gift came from this too, Al had the idea to have the Pelham Fire Department drive us in on one of their fire trucks!  Next thing we knew the Pelham Police wanted to get involved too so they joined in!  Towns helping Towns and sharing in the good.  Please go to http://stgiannasplace.org/, and if you can donate to help these moms in need.  I promise even a few dollars will be greatly appreciated.  You can also mail a donation to St. Gianna’s Place at PO Box 725  Londonderry NH 03053

St. Gianna’s Place
stgiannasplace.org
St. Gianna’s Place hosted our first spaghetti dinner fundraising event on October 28. It was a big success, and we are excited and humbled by the overwhelming …

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“Type Uncasted” coming to Derry Opera House

July 25, 2017

 

cast of Type Uncasted

Cast of "Type Uncasted"

Sixteen years ago, I was introduced to a theatre group whose philosophy was to allow theatre geeks the opportunity to perform, learn and grow through the productions that they participated in.  Shows were produced by adults, costumes, direction (musical, dramatic and choreography) was done by adults, the theatre was contracted by adults, sets, house management, and rehearsals were the responsibility of adults.  Fast forward to 2017.  Rather than while away the hours of summer, a group of teens went on social media and proposed an idea: let’s do a show.

producers of Type Uncasted

Liz Mak, Marissa McDonald & Sarah Rodgers

Liz Mak, Marissa McDonald and Sarah Rodgers lined up the rehearsal space, rented the Derry Opera House for one day/night, decided on songs, held auditions, and choose a cast for the revue: “Type Uncasted”.  Their brainchild includes songs from famous Broadway shows: “A Chorus Line”, “Anything Goes”, “Little Shop of Horrors”, “Footloose”, “High School Musical”, “Grease”, “Hercules”, “Dear Evan Hansen”, and “Les Mis”, to name a few.  The show brings together alumni of that theatre group I was introduced to all those years ago, Kids Coop Theatre, as well as alumni of the Specialized Theatre Enrichment Program, LMS, LHS and Pinkerton and a variety of College Drama Clubs.

 

 

Familiar faces to Londonderry residents include Dan Cain, Michael DeRosa, Abby Palmer and Joey Tannalfo.  Dan, featured in the song “Will Power” from the show “Something Rotten”, is a music education major who is thrilled to be

cast of "Will Power" from Type Uncasted

Dan Cain and "Type Uncasted" players

part of this show.  His schedule hasn’t allowed for any participation in theatre at school, and he has always wanted to do a musical review.  Michael, (featured as Val Jean in “Fantine’s Death/The Confrontation” from “Les Miserable” opposite Tommie Wood as Javert) is working toward his Bachelor of Fine Arts and is also in an Actor Singers production of “The Wild Party”.  Theatre is his passion and it shows in his presence on the stage.  Abby, featured in “A Night to Remember”

Abby Palmer cast member Type Uncasted

Abby Palmer

and “Hero” is currently a rising junior at LHS.  She has been involved with theatre at the high school and is thrilled to be in this production because she has met so many people from Pinkerton with whom she has become fast friends.  Another LHS graduate who is participating in this show is Meredith Byerly, a Spanish major at UNH.  She is a featured dancer in the production of “I Hope I Get It” from “A Chorus Line”.  Others, either current LHS learners or alumni participating in the show, are Gabby Liles, Michael Kennedy, (an amazing singer, this is his first experience, but as a junior at LHS, here’s hoping it won’t be his last!), and Kat McFadries.  Kat spoke to me of her love of performance.  She has been involved in other shows: “Once on this Island” and “Into the Woods” and is one of the many frightening characters in “Scream Fest” at Canobie Lake each year.  She is planning on studying business and theatre and hopes to combine the two fields when working in the entertainment business.

Michael DeRosa and Tommie Wood

Michael DeRosa and Tommie Wood

One of the most wonderful things about the theatre community is the support they show each other when performing.  Many a LHS production at the Derry Opera House will have Pinkerton theatre members in attendance and many a Pinkerton production at their auditorium will have LHS theatre member in attendance.  This made the collaboration of the two LHS alumni (Liz and Marissa) and the Pinkerton alumni (Sarah) a natural.  Liz and Sarah have taken on the roles of director, while Marissa has taken on the role of production manager.  That doesn’t mean these talented singer/dancer/actors will not be on stage.  They are participating in several of the numbers in the review.

 

 

Pinkerton’s participation in this endeavor isn’t limited to Sarah.  Actors who have been involved with their school productions as well as community shows include Jake Doble, Sophia Shay, Michael Overko, Mela Rogers, Kyle Cardoza, Molly McAlpine, Nicole Delpidio, Arianna Earnshaw, Mike Hughes, Jaiden Wedgwood, Will Hunt, Tommie Wood, Zack Hudgins, Ryan Geary, Rachel Wood, Aleksei Lavrentyev, Eden

Michael DeRosa and Eden Richardson

Michael DeRosa & Eden Richardson

Richardson, (who will have the audience in tears with her rendition of “Fantine’s Death” from “Les Misarable”), Adam Demio, Meghan McNamara and Ryan Young.  Many of these actors are featured in the songs of the review.  Jake Doble plays the lead choreographer in the production of “I Hope I Get It” and sings a duet with Arianna Earnshaw when they perform “You’re the Top”.  He said he was excited that this production was going to be put together by his peers.   Michael Overko has been involved in other shows and will be a member of the “Laramie Project” drama production at Pinkerton this fall.  Emily DeWolf is a fan favorite, having shined in Kids Coop Productions as well as others.  She is excited to be involved with this venture because it has allowed her to take on a more serious role than she is used to.  She recently was the “rapping nun” in Kids Coop’s production of “Sister Act”.  She is going to Tufts in the fall to study biochemistry, but will keep her hand in the entertainment field by joining an acapella group.  Aleksei is a rising senior at Pinkerton and is featured in the song from “Hercules”, which, he says, has an unusual twist to it.  He would like to go into the entertainment field, and with his acting, comedic and

Aleksei Lavrentyev cast member Hercules

Aleksei Lavrentyev

singing ability it seems like a good fit!  Sophia, currently at Plymouth State studying musical theatre with a minor in dance, performed with many of the Pinkerton learners while in high school. She has her sights set on LA or Chicago when she graduates where she hopes to perform or become a choreographer.

Everyone in this cast deserves to be highlighted in this article, because it is their talent and love of theatre that has brought them together to work to put on this show.  While Jake Hudgin as Music Director and Brittany Cardoza as Choreographer, have created harmony and moves that will delight the audience, it is the comradery of this group, their willingness to work for the joy of the production, and their understanding of the commitment they made to each other that makes this production unique.  Like the Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland classic movies, where young adults came together to put on a show to save the day, (anyone under 60 years old, look them up! “Babe in Arms”, “Babes of Broadway”, “Strike Up the Band”, “Girl Crazy”), these young adults have pulled together and organized something very special.  Any money earned after expenses (the Opera House runs at a cost of $650 for a weekday production) will either be donated to charity, or put into an account for next summer’s show.  If the talent line up next year is like this one, that is a worthy goal.

The show can be seen at the Derry Opera House at 8pm on Thursday, August 3rd.  Having spent two days watching the rehearsals, tickets, at $10, are an incredible entertainment value.  Reserve tickets by emailing typeuncasted@gmail.com as they are selling fast!

 

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By MWS | Posted in Announcements, Around Nutfield, Around Town, Arts, Music, Performing arts, Schools, Youth 10 to 18 | Comments off