HHSFOTA

Audience Reviews
Grease weekend at Harwich High School was contagious! There was a contagious rush for tickets and contagious conversation, excitement and anticipation in the audience. There were contagious songs performed by the cast and the pit band provided the contagious beat. Many have commented that "I can’t get those songs out of my head!!!!" Most of all there was the contagious joy of performing (dancing, acting, and singing) on the part of the cast. When asked for their accolades, selected audience members gladly responded so we will let them review the show!

"What a tremendous performance by the entire cast. My children age 7, 6, and 2 were mesmerized by the cast and songs. It was wonderful when my seven year old Michael grabbed me saying 'Hey Dad, that’s Nick from the football team.' (referring to Danny). It was truly a community event as the auditorium was filled with both children and adults. Kudos to Mrs. Donovan and her cast of supporting adults. I couldn't’t have been more proud to be the principal, as I tucked my kids to bed that night and they were still singing some of the songs."
"It’s wonderful! It takes me back. I was there the first time around and I owned a real leather jacket! Grease truly is the word at Harwich High School."
"As always a great job by everyone! The costumes, singing, dancing, music, set, lighting and sound made for a very enjoyable play. All your hard work, great direction and many hours of dedication paid off. And thanks to all the teachers and parents who helped behind the scenes organizing meals and lending all kinds of support especially the Friends of the Arts for providing the cast party. "
"This auditorium is full on a Saturday afternoon when people could be out shopping or playing soccer. This says a lot about the Harwich Public Schools. The participation is extraordinary on the part of the community and the students."
Harwich has TALENT. In attending opening night of Harwich High School’s performance of GREASE, that talent was shining through. The whole cast, pit band, chorus and backstage crew did a fabulous job presenting this musical to the community. The auditorium was full with young and old alike, all fully enjoying the performance. Long hours of rehearsal and practice over the winter paid off for everyone. In addition, the leadership of Ms. Donovan and Ms. Richard kept things moving smoothly the whole evening. Thank you for the entertainment!
"I thought this was going to be boring. But this is great."...anonymous audience member during intermission
To the Cast and Crew of "Grease": I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the entire Harwich High School cast and crew of "Grease" for an outstanding effort and performance. I was privileged to attend Friday night's performance with my wife and two children, Amelia (10) and Aidan (6). All of us thoroughly enjoyed the musical as your teamwork, pride, and talent was demonstrated throughout. You are to be commended for your hard work, dedication, and effort that made it such a success. Events like this help bring our community together and showcase the very best of our schools. Thank you for providing my family and me with a wonderful evening of entertainment.


	"Grease" is the Word at Harwich High School


		Behind the Scenes

'Grease' comes to HHS

by Doug Karlson in the March 28, 2007 edition of the Harwich Oracle

(Reprinted with permission)

Harwich High School turns into “Rydell High” this week as the spring musical “Grease” opens tomorrow.

The cast of more than 60 students accompanied by a live rock ‘n’ roll band makes for some impressively choreographed dance numbers like “Born to Hand Jive,” and “Beauty School Dropout.” Expect to hear solid solos, too, like Alana Coppola’s “There Are Worse Things I Could Do,” and Casey Keyes’ “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee.”

Set in 1959, the musical is a romantic comedy about a teenaged girl named Sandy (played by Keyes) who falls in love with a greaser named Danny (Nik Gallerani) over the summer. They’re reunited in high school, but Sandy doesn’t exactly fit in with Danny’s cool set of leather-jacketed friends, who include Rizzo (Alana Coppola) and Kenicke (Max Rosen). Danny tries to change by going out for track and field, while Sandy sheds her “good girl” image for Capri pants and high heels.

For Gallerani (Danny), though he’s a senior, it’s his first musical, and “it’s been a blast,” he said. “I’m just making the most of it.”

Rosen, a senior who was in “Fiddler on the Roof” last year and who plays Kenicke, agreed. “Having all my friends here makes it more fun.”

Drama teacher and director Deborah Donovan said she and musical director Rose Richard selected “Grease” because their students have seen the movie version, and were interested.

The Tony award-winning musical debuted on Broadway in 1972 and ran for 3,388 performances, until 1980. A Broadway revival is scheduled to open this June. “Grease,” the movie, was released in 1978 and starred Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta.

“The kids had been asking if they could do ‘Grease,’” explained Donovan. “It’s fun, the music’s upbeat and there’s lots of dancing.”

“It’s catchy,” said Richard.

“This is definitely the best show we’ve done so far,” according to Keyes, the senior who plays Sandy. She said it’s even better than “Fame,” which the high school put on two years ago. “I love it.”

“Everyone put so much into it,” said Coppola, the sophomore who plays Rizzo. “It’s going to turn out to be an amazing production.”

Coppola quickly got past the rough language and grown-up themes (Rizzo is worried she might be pregnant). “At first I was a little hesitant, but in no time I got into the character. I had no trouble because [like Rizzo] I’m a loud, expressive Italian girl.”

The set design consists of a 1950s theme backdrop and vintage car. The costumes, which were collected in thrift stores and from students by high school teacher Caren Coppola (her daughter plays Rizzo) are elaborate – from leather jackets to beauty school uniforms – and there are a number of costume changes.

With so many students in the cast, the production was a challenge, said Donovan. As with previous productions, the cast received help with the choreography from professional New York actor Joseph Burke.

The cast features many promising freshmen and sophomores, said Donovan, and the largest number of boys yet for a high school production, an indicator of how strong the art department is at Harwich High. Donovan credited the school administration with being supportive of the arts program.

“We have some really good talent,” she said, “and that talent has created a solid production.”


	Grease: Behind the Scenes

	Christopher Page (a 2003 Harwich High School graduate) has returned to his alma mater to literally “light” up the stage. The Technical Director for Grease obtained an A.A. Degree in Liberal Arts from Cape Cod Community College (‘05) and an A.S. Degree in Show Production and Touring from “Florida Full Sail” (Feb. ‘07) in Winter Park, Florida.
	During a recent rehearsal, he could be seen changing light bulbs and climbing ladders high above the auditorium, patching cables, giving direction to the light and sound crew and consulting with Deb Donovan who considers him indispensable. It all began in eighth grade, when she says “He came over with me from the Middle School to run the lights for Oliver. He was fabulous and a fast learner.”
	In addition to putting his technical knowledge to use behind the scenes, his ability to use lighting creatively will “wow” the audience. Don't miss it!

GREASE: Behind the Scenes

Joe Burke, choreographer, has been working with the cast of Grease on lively, imaginative, uplifting, and fun dance routines that will have even the most lead-footed members of the audience wanting to get up and dance.

Joe is a New York City-based musical theatre performer who has appeared in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Hello Dolly in Illinois, Annie in Pennsylvania, My Fair Lady in Boston, and as the Emcee in Cabaret in upstate New York. He has worked with the Hollywood Playhouse in Florida, Commonwealth Musical Theatre in Virginia, and Stages in St. Louis, Missouri.

Joe earned an AA degree at Dean College and studied Musical Theatre and Dance at the Boston Conservatory of Music. In addition to Cape Cod, he has taught master classes and workshops in Musical Theatre/Dance in Iowa, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.

Joe is the manager of the Configuration Dance Company (www.configurationdance.org) that will be offering an onstage lecture/demonstration for the students of Deb Donovan’s Theatre Class on Friday, April 13.

Grease is the fifth Harwich High School production he has choreographed and he extends "many thanks to Ms. Rose Richards and Ms. Deb Donovan for being so swell in putting together the musicals over the years!"

Configuration Dance Company Visits Harwich High School

On Friday, April 13, 2007. The Configuration Dance Company, the Cape's only professional dance ensemble, visited Arts classes at Harwich High School. Manager, Joe Burke, lead a group of twenty-five students (many of whom he knew by name from his role as Grease choreographer) in movement exercises on the stage.


	www.configurationdance.org

This was followed by a 45 minute dance demonstration narrated by Director, Joseph Cipolla before a group of fifty students. His commentary included ballet history, explanations of the physical requirements (1 and 1/2 hour warm ups), and description of the dance movements in which student volunteers were invited to participate. He encouraged the students to explore dance as participants as well as audience members. He spoke of the opportunities for new choreographers and the need for young, vibrant audience members.

Last Updated Thursday, September 18, 2008