cf695b4abf07f486e43834bbd52fadee.jpg

FLORENCE: High school students go ‘Back to the 80s’

By Amy Batista, Special Writer
   FLORENCE — High school students presented their rendition of Neil Gooding’s “Back to the 80’s: The Totally Awesome Musical” Saturday with its big hair, spandex pants, leg warmers, slouch socks, acid-washed jeans, sending audience members back into time.
   The production starred Jordan Hannah as Corey Palmer Jr. and Kate Reed as Tiffany Houston.
   Corey Palmer Jr. is a senior, who is madly in love with his next-door neighbor, Tiffany, who also happens to be one of the coolest girls in school and barely notices Corey. He spends the part of the year trying to get up the courage to ask her to be his girlfriend.
   Additional starring roles included Corey Palmer Sr. played by Chris Childs; Michael Feldman, Tiffany’s boyfriend, played by John Boracci; Cyndi Gibson played by Abigail Lee; Feargal McFerrin III played by Joshua Stoner; Eileen Reagan played by Taylor Stoeckel; Laura Wilde played by Gabby Hollendonner; Debbie Fox played by Kelsey Snively; Sheena Brannigan played by Marissa LeBlanc; Stevie Cocker played by Will Blakeslee; Alf Bueller played by Thomas Chianese; Kirk Keaton played by Joe Dunn; Mel Easton played by Jessica Chiara; Kim Easton played by Morgan McCall; Billy Arnold played by Nevander Taylor; Lionel Astley played by Elijah Lee and Huey Jackson played by Jacob Heimann.
   The musical came complete with a big-haired, neon-T-shirt-wearing cast of characters and a full slate of the decade’s biggest chart-toppers such as “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” “Footloose,” “Love Shack,” “You Give Love A Bad Name,” “Material Girl” and many more.
   ” ‘Back to the 80s’ is an energetic show that will delight audiences of all ages,” said Ashley Ayrer, the director, in an email Sunday.
   Ms. Ayrer just began her first year teaching at Florence High School.
   ”I have always been interested in acting, and I was active in my high school’s drama program, our annual musicals and our student-directed plays,” Ms. Ayrer said. “I’ve missed the stage ever since I graduated high school so when I found out the position of drama coach was available, I jumped at the chance to be involved.”
   ”Back to the 80s” is the story of Corey Palmer’s senior year at William Ocean High School.
   The story is told with the help of some of the top pop songs of the ‘80s, according to Ms. Ayrer.
   ”All of our musical staff members did an excellent job preparing our students for ‘Back to the 80’s,’” said Vice Principal Maria Sadar on Monday in an email. “Most importantly, students and staff all had a great time working together.”
   More than 300 family members, friends and students attended Saturday’s night performance.
   For Pamela Rowland, of Delanco, she was there to support a student, who was cast as a singer in the musical, who also was her coworker.
   ”I think they are really doing a good job with the music,” Ms. Rowland said. “They are certainly enthusiastic performers. “I think they’ve done a good job in capturing the spirit of the era.”
   ”I think it is very well done,” said Barbara Hayes, of Roebling. “The kids look like they are having a total blast.”
   Ms. Hayes encouraged people to come out with family and friends to see the plays put on by the students.
   ”Any future high school plays, I think that family, friends and anyone who wants to come out and have a good time should come to see it,” Ms. Hayes said.
   Thirty students were cast in roles, including many other students who worked in various crew positions – stage crew, light and sound, and set design.
   This was something parent Dinah Lee, of Roebling, particularly “loved” best about the play.
   ”The thing that I love the most about it is that so many kids are showcased,” Ms. Lee said. “There’s a lot of opportunities for solos and duets and group singing.”
   She added, “The directors did a fantastic job. It’s her first attempt her at Florence, and she really pulled it together.”
   Ms. Lee has attended all three performances to watch her child perform.
   ”Out of all the years that we have been coming, these have been the biggest crowds I’ve ever seen,” Ms. Lee said.
   According to Ms. Ayrer, everyone who auditioned was given a role and a chance to perform.
   ”For me, the highlight of the play was the audition process,” Ms. Ayrer said. “I had gotten to know many of the students at that point, but mostly academically. To hear them singing, acting and bringing the ‘Back to the 80s’ characters to life was amazing.”
   Costume production was overseen by Jenna Anzuini. Vocal music director was Ann Croley. Instrumental music director was Christian Reynolds. Scenic design was created by Arielle Finamore. Set construction was overseen by John Dow. Lights and sound advisor was Matt Weatherbee.
   According to Ms. Ayrer, she was looking for a musical that was “high-energy” and could support a large cast.
   ” ‘Back to the 80s’ caught my attention right away because I knew there were plenty of speaking and singing roles for the large number of students who would get involved,” Ms. Ayrer said. “I also had a feeling that the cast, crew and pit band would get excited about the ‘80s music, costumes, hair and makeup.”
   Sophomore Chris Childs, of Florence shared his experience.
   ”It’s a blast to perform in it,” Chris said. “It’s great people to work with.”
   According to Chris, at times, it was “tedious” to work on the same scene, but, overall, the experience was “fun.”
   This is his first time in a leading role in a high school play, but Chris is no stranger to playing leading roles. He had a few of them in middle school.
   For freshman Jordan Hannah, of Roebling, who played Corey Palmer, Jr., he said the experience had been “stressful” but “fun.”
   The spotlight has been a part of Jordan’s life since a young age.
   ”I have always done plays since I was like 10,” Jordan said.
   For Jordan, the play and working with the cast was a good learning experience and forged good relationships with fellow students.
   ”I learned about people I didn’t think I would like, and now I like them,” Jordan added.
   Will Blakeslee, of Florence, a junior, who played, Stevie Cocker, has been performing since he was in seventh grade.
   ”It’s a good experience,” Will said. “You are always excited to start.”
   Will enjoys the cast bonding warm-up before they go out to perform on stage.
   ”I would recommend it to anybody,” Will said. “You get to meet new people. By seeing who else you can play, you kind of learn the own quirks of your character, like what you have to suppress, and the character helps you to learn about yourself.”
   Through this, Will learned he’s not an “outgoing person.”
   ”It helps,” Will said when it comes to performing on the stage.
   ”I love it,” senior Kate Reed, of Roebling, said. “I’ve always loved to be on stage.”
   Kate performed all through middle school and high school. This is her first “substantial role.”
   ”It’s been a good run,” Kate added. “Being in the play let’s you be someone who you aren’t. I think that is one of the coolest things. Everyone says be yourself, but you can find yourself through being someone else, I feel.”
   Sophomore Marissa LeBlanc, of Florence, who played Miss Sheena Brannigan, says it’s “stressful, but totally worth it.”
   She said, “It feels so good obviously to be out there” in a leading role.
   Marissa encouraged others to try a play at least once.
   ”It’s probably one of the greatest things you will ever do in your life, honestly,” Marissa added. “Anyone can do it. You gain so much experience and knowledge from it.”
   Ms. Ayrer thanked the community for is support.
   ”We appreciate all the families, friends, and community members who came out to support the arts,” Ms. Ayrer said. “It was a pleasure to be a part of this year’s production at Florence High School. Those involved with the musical program have been incredibly welcoming and supportive, and the cast, crew and pit band worked together to deliver an awesome production of ‘Back to the 80s.’ I couldn’t be more proud of them.”