844 stories from The Journal News
They had her at the bright blue wigs. Quiana Iacobellis (inset) knew she was in the right place when, as a freshman, she was cast in Tappan Zee High School’s fall play, “The Bird…
This weekend, some Lower Hudson Valley high schools will take audiences back the 1990’s with “Rent.” Or the ‘80s in “Footloose.” Or the late ‘50s wi…
There’s a great scene at the end of the musical “42nd Street,” when newcomer Peggy Sawyer is drafted to replace the over-the-title artist. Director Julian Marsh sends her o…
After weeks of the high-school musicals in the Lower Hudson Valley being staged in Westchester or Putnam counties, it’s Rockland’s turn, with four of the week’s six new hig…
Joe Egan has created a theatrical maverick in Nyack, staging memorable productions of “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Parade,” “Big River” and “Aida.&#…
I dropped by a rehearsal of “Babes in Arms” at Clarkstown High School North in New City, not really knowing what to expect. I knew it was a musical about kids who love theater an…
Jessie Shaw laughs when it’s pointed out that, as a 17-year-old brunette, she is neither legal nor blonde. But there she’ll be this weekend, playing Elle Woods, the star of ̶…
Carlos Prats is about to make a comparison that could make your head spin, but stay with him. Please. Prats, a 15-year-old sophomore at Nanuet High School plays Horton the Elephant in “…
Lucy Austin doesn’t want people to get the wrong idea about Haldane High School’s musical this weekend. Yes, “Pirates of Penzance” is a Gilbert & Sullivan operett…
When “Aida: School Edition,” the Elton John musical about a love triangle amid the pyramids, comes to North Rockland High School this week and next, the title role will be played…
Director Chrissy Colangelo is looking for a juke box to borrow or rent for Blind Brook’s production of “West Side Story.” She would need it March 14-25. If you can help her…
Today’s storm has canceled at least two of the four high-school-musical opening nights planned for tonight. Thursday’s performance of “Urinetown” at Edgemont High Sch…
The show must go on, unless the snow goes on and on. Mother Nature—which has already forced the cancellation of at least a half-dozen rehearsals—could throw a slippery wrench int…
Joshua Roman has acted in musicals before, but never at Edgemont High School. That changes this week, when the 17-year-old senior leads the cast of the quirky and irreverent “Urinetown…
If there was a word to describe Paul, the character Troy Trippiccio played in Harrison High School’s production of “A Chorus Line” last year, he said it’d be “s…
Travis Ramirez has played it serious, as the haunted church organist Simon Stimson in “Our Town.” He played it madcap backstage in “Fiddler on the Roof,” playing all …
Yorktown High School’s Gabby Landicino said the sky is the limit this year, as she tackles one of musical theaters plummest parts: Dolly Levi in “Hello, Dolly!” “You …
Kelsey Baron of Peekskill doesn’t lack for inspiration as would-be nun Maria in Kennedy Catholic’s production of “The Sound of Music,” running this weekend. The sopho…
Playing it straight is no problem for Chae Young Kang, an Irvington senior who said her Korean grandmother runs a tight ship at home. “I feel really connected to Sarah, living in a res…
Alisia Escobar, a senior at Byram Hills, has played some great roles in her school career: Annie in “Annie,” Chava in “Fiddler on the Roof” and Belle in “Beauty…
Bryan Lynch reads from his iPad and rattles off his director’s notes to the cast in rat-a-tat fashion. A set change needs fixing. A line needs a different delivery. What happened to th…
Paul Kite, a guest director who takes the reins of Briarcliff’s excellent theater program from producer Ian Driver, said he chose “Urinetown” for a few reasons: “It&#…
Leading the dozen shows opening on high-school stages this week is a high-school rarity: “Man of La Mancha” at Pleasantville. The musical story of Don Quixote employs the booming…
By any measure, Ben DeMarco’s range of roles in his Rye High School career has been impressive: Snoopy in “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” to The Beast in “Be…
The hottest ticket in New York this week may not be on Broadway, but for “Sweeney Todd,” staged in a church basement in Bronxville. The plan was for Bronxville High School to unv…
