School of Rock Program
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ARTPARK THEATRE ACADEMY PRESENTS: SCHOOL OF ROCK Based on the Paramount movie by Mike White Book by Julian Fellowes Lyrics by Glenn Slater New Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber Directed by Paschal Frisina III Choreography by Toni Dentico Musical Direction by Patrick Towey Costumes by Bret Runyon Technical Direction by Susan Stimson, Tim Wrobel Stage Manager: Ella Colbus FEATURING: ARTPARK THEATRE ACADEMY CLASS OF 2021 Artpark Mainstage Theater July 18, 2021 ARTPARK THEATRE ACADEMY IS SUPPORTED BY ARTPARK SEASON SPONSORS: M&T BANK, CULLEN FOUNDATION and special funding for Artpark Works program from JOHN R. OISHEI FOUNDATION and FIRST NIAGARA FOUNDATION in partnership with KEYBANK TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED BY NIAGARA FALLS COACH LINES INC. School of Rock is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of The Really Useful Group. SUMMARY Rock got no reason, rock got no rhyme…You better get me to school on time! Andrew Lloyd Webber's School of Rock - The Musical is a two-hour, two-act show (plus intermission), based on the hit movie. The tuner follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn an extra bit of cash by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There he turns a class of straight–A pupils into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. But can he get them to the Battle of the Bands without their parents and the school’s headmistress finding out? Lloyd Webber produced the stage musical on Broadway and in the West End, penning 14 new numbers for the show, which additionally features all of the original songs from the movie. The composer’s tracks “You’re in the Band” and “Stick it to the Man” are well on their way to becoming rock solid standards, while the finale brings audiences to their Feet! Directing Team Notes Welcome to SCHOOL OF ROCK at Artpark! On behalf of Toni, Patrick, and myself, we are so excited to share this special production that has been 16 months in the making! Preparations for this production started pre-covid for the 2020 Artpark season, but the pandemic pushed us to this summer 2021. Some of these students auditioned last year, and all of this anticipation leads us to today’s magical performance. Throughout the winter of 2021, many of the Covid restrictions limited our planning of the production in the scope of wanting large sets, spectacle, extra rehearsal time, and our usual 50 students. Our Academy could only be 3 weeks this year as opposed to the usual 4 weeks. Additionally, social distancing, mask guidelines, restrictions on singing in public, and so much more, all had changing guidelines as we planned this back in winter 2021... My hope is that even without the large sets and spectacle, the focus becomes clear on the students and their amazing performances! This huge, empty theatre becomes a space full of love and positive energy when these students open their mouths and play their instruments and dance their hearts out for you! No set required. I ask you today to let your imagination go free! Focus your energy on suspending your disbelief that we are not in a huge theatre in Lewiston NY, but rather at Horace Green Elementary, meeting these amazing students who learn how to set their Rock souls free! The young professionals you will witness today have amazed us from the first day when the Academy students were memorized and ready to work! They have waited for 16 months to be this community of actors and put on their performance for you. They have dealt with unbelievable experiences during their past two school years with Covid and its restrictions on even just being a kid. They are ready to explode with a positive radiance that only a child could share, even during one of our country’s darkest times. Their energy on stage is contagious. They have so much to share with you, it’s time we all listen and enjoy the magic they fill our lives with everyday! It has been our greatest privilege directing your children. This has been an epic three week experience. Rock on! Enjoy the show! -Paschal Frisina SONG LIST Act I ● “I’m Too Hot for You” – Orchestra Overture ● “When I Climb to the Top of Mount Rock” – Dewey ● “Horace Green Alma Mater” – Rosalie, students and teachers ● “Here at Horace Green” – Rosalie ● “Variation 7” – Dewey and Ned ● “Children of Rock” – Dewey and Ned ● “Mount Rock (Reprise)” – Patty ● “Queen of the Night” – Rosalie, Dewey and Gabe ● “You’re in the Band” – Dewey and students ● “If Only You Would Listen” – Students ● “In the End of Time (A Cappella Version)” – Dewey ● “Faculty Quadrille” – Teachers ● “In the End of Time (Band Practice)” – Dewey and students ● “Stick It to the Man” – Dewey and students ● “In the End of Time (The Audition)” – Dewey and students ● “Stick It to the Man (Reprise)” – Dewey and students Act II ● “Time to Play” – Summer and students ● “Amazing Grace” – Tomika ● “Math Is a Wonderful Thing” – Dewey and students ● “Where Did the Rock Go?” – Rosalie ● “School of Rock (Band Practice)” – Dewey and students ● “Dewey’s Confession” – Dewey, Rosalie, Patty, Ned and Parents ● “If Only You Would Listen (Reprise)” – Tomika and Other Students ● “I’m Too Hot for You (Reprise)” – No Vacancy ● “School of Rock” – Dewey and students ● “Stick It to the Man (Encore)” – Dewey and students CHARACTERS Leads Dewey Finn (Guitar): Ben Leahy Rosalie Mullins: Courtney Beals Ned: Liam Post Patty: Liz Hopkins Kids Zack (Guitar): Stephen Wesolowski Katie (Bass): Grace Ludwig Lawrence (Keyboard): John Perno Freddy (Drums): Jude Wabick Summer (Band Manager): Ana Marciniak Tamika (Head Back-Up Singer): Lourdes Johnson Marcy (Back-Up Singer): Liliana Frisina Shonelle (Back-Up Singer): Emily Harrigan Billy: Jack Stillman Mason: Gabriel Frisina James: Tim Whipple Madison: Maeve Garvey Sophie: Addie Garvey Ben: Walker Woods Julie: Maggie Hassett Ricky: Clark Garvey Michelle: Eloise Eagan Kris: Hayden Lively Suzy: Alexa Kowalski Teachers Ms. Sheinkoff: Megan Bevilacqua Mr. Gabe Brown: Andrew Jasinski Mr. Noble: Vincent Murphy Mr. Green: Kellen O’Connor Ms. Gordon: Rebecca Posses Mr. Bingham: Ryan Bevilacqua Ms. Macapugay: Laila Pincas Mr. Woodard: Liam Post Mrs. Wagner: Liz Hopkins Parents Mr. Mooneyham (Zack’s dad): Andrew Jasinski Mrs. Hathaway (Summer’s mom): Rebecca Posses Mr. Williams (Tamika’s dad): Ryan Bevilacqua Mr. Spencer (Tamika’s dad): Vincent Murphy Mrs. Hamilton (Freddie’s mom): Laila Pincas Mr. Sanford (Billy’s dad): Kellen O’Connor Mrs. Turner(Lawence’s Mom): Megan Bevilacqua Other Characters Jeff (Host of Battle of the Bands): Vincent Murphy Security Guard: Laila Pincas Policeman: Tim Whipple Rival Band: “No Vacancy” Theo (lead singer): Ryan Bevilacqua Doug (back-up): Andrew Jasinski Bob (back-up): Kellen O’Connor DIRECTORS AND STAFF Ella Colbus (Stage Manager) Ella is a recent graduate of Mount St. Mary Academy and will be attending University of North Carolina School of the Arts to continue her career in stage management. She has spent time stage managing many shows at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, Artpark, Niagara County Community College, Shea's, Subversive Theatre Collective, and MusicalFare and most recently worked on the Buffalo Quickies at Alleyway. Ella is infinitely thankful for everyone who supports her endeavors, especially her fellow stage manager and mother Susan Stimson and her boyfriend Ben. She hopes you enjoy this production of School of Rock! Patrick Towey (Music Director) Patrick has worked with Artpark Theatre Academies and Camps since 2013. He has served as the Music Director for the 2018 production of The Odyssey and the 2017 staged reading of Elephant in the Room. Outside of his Artpark activities, he has music directed and conducted countless musical theatre productions. After serving as Director of Bands at Plattsburgh Senior High School for six years, Towey is now pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Peabody Conservatory of The Johns Hopkins University. Paschal Frisina III (Academy Co-Director) Paschal completed his Master’s degree in Education with NYS certifications in Social Studies and Theatre Arts in 2014. He also completed an additional Master’s degree in Business Arts Management. Paschal teaches Government, Public Speaking, and the Theatre Arts courses during the day at St. Joe’s in Buffalo, NY. 100+ professional credits including the European Tour of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR as Peter/Annas, the US National Tour of COPACABANA as Rico Castilli, five production contracts with cruise lines, multiple years at Artpark, Off-Broadway production of BECOMING SOMETHING: CANADA LEE, and a Broadway workshop of CAIRO, directed by Baayork Lee (A Chorus Line, original). Toni Dentico (Academy Co-Director) Toni trained at the David DeMarie Dance Studio where she studied jazz, tap and ballet for 17 years. While a student of his, she was awarded the title of Miss Junior Dance of WNY, Miss Dance of WNY and Miss Dance of America. She was a member of his core group of dancers that performed at Artpark, Kleinhan’s and the M and T Plaza and won many competitions regionally and nationally. During her reign as Miss Dance of America she taught and performed all over the US, and was able to model and dance in Osaka, Japan. She attended University of NY at Buffalo where she minored in dance. Toni has spent the last eleven summers working at Artpark as choreographer for the Academy. She spent ten years as choreographer at the Academy of Theatre Arts in Williamsville. Currently Toni can be found working as the St. Joseph Collegiate Institute's Music Department Choreographer. It is her great joy to share her passion for the arts with so many great students! She would like to thank all the students and production staff for their hard work and dedication.