PORTSMOUTH - School House Rock Live! Jr., a musical version of one of America's favorite cartoon series, is coming to St. Philomena School on April 27, 28, and 29. The school chorus performs in this spectacular show, which features many favorite songs for children, such as Conjunction Junction, Unpack Your Adjectives and I'm Just a Bill performed as characters from the Saturday morning series School House Rock. It is an entertaining experience for the whole family, and is about an hour long, perfect for even the youngest audience members.
Twenty-nine students bring the TV characters to life in an adventure that features Pam, a school teacher who is nervous about her first day of teaching and tries to relax by watching TV. Suddenly, the Schoolhouse Rock bunch, Pam's alter-egos, appear in her recreation room to show her how to win her students over by way of imagination and music. Through songs that cover a variety of subjects such as math, science, history and grammar, they convince that learning can be fun.
This musical is the seventh yearly collaboration of pupils, parents, teachers and entire families who work many months and long hours to bring a lavish production to the stage. The cast members, who span grades four to eight, begin once-weekly rehearsals in January. During April they perfect dance routines and fine-tune their melodies two or three times each week and on weekends. Parents and teachers produce, direct, choreograph, raise funds and provide props, lighting, sound, costumes, hairstyles and make-up, programs, publicity and t-shirts. Several families are designing, constructing and painting the set.
Show times are: Friday, April 27, 7 p.m.; Saturday, April 28, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, April 29, 1 p.m. The merriment takes place in the St. Philomena School Auditorium, 324 Cory's Lane, off Route 114 in Portsmouth. The public is invited. Tickets are $5 for children and $10 for adults. Proceeds benefit the FCJ Sisters mission in the Philippines, which funds housing, a supplies co-op, and entrepreneurship initiatives.
Major characters are played by Caroline Alexander as Pam, Grace Alzaibak as Dina, Abby Byrne as Shulie, Molly Lisiewicz as Jo, Kate McGovern as Dori and Patrick McGovern as George. Ensemble members are: Ailish Abbate, Deveney Andrade, Faith Breen, Alyssa Capuano, Fiona Conway, Anne Crowley, Hailey Gablinske, Ryan Goulart, Tara Hadam, Lauren Hayes, Sophie Johnson, Brittany Kavanagh, Claire LeSaffre, Lauren Mongeau, Bailey Partridge, Jessica Pitocco, Francesca Sacco, Gabrielle Simmons, Maggie Stark, Morgan Stewart, Hanna Ungerer, Kaitlyn Younes and Sarah Younes.
The crew includes: parents Colleen Byrne and Stacey Alzaibak-Directors; teacher Cecilia Heredia-Music Director; parents Pam Lisiewicz and Kevin McGovern-Producers; Jackie Henderson of Off the Curb, parent Colleen Byrne and teacher Diane Partridge-Choreography; the McGovern Family, the Lisiewicz Family, Peter Bixby, Dara Ungerer, Leanne Gablinske, Paul Younes, Patty and Elaina Alzaibak-Set Construction, Design and Painting; parent Alberta Pitocco-Props; parents Kevin McGovern, George Alzaibak and Paul Younes-Lighting and Sound; parent Alberta Pitocco, teachers Donna Chaves and Nancy Grailich-Costume Design; parents Kathy Stark, Christy Johnson, Leanne Gablinske-Make-up/hair; parents Karen Hadam, Chris Breen, Nancy Breen-Programs; staff member Jayne Martin, parents Debra Perlingiero Mongeau, Melissa Simmons and teacher Sonya Capuano-Publicity; parent Paula Younes-Box Office; school librarian Jeanne Staats-House Manager; parent Peter Bixby-T-shirts; parents Catherine Alexander, Brigitta Hayes, Leanne Gablinske, Paula Younes, Christy Johnson, Stacey Andrade, Christine Sacco and Nancy Breen-Fund Raising.
Founded in 1953, Saint Philomena is a private Catholic school for children in grades Pre-K through 8. Guidance and leadership is provided by the Sisters Faithful Companions of Jesus. Its mission is to enable each child to recognize and develop the unique gifts given by God. The School educates the whole child-intellectually, spiritually, physically, emotionally and socially. It is a U.S. Department of Education Recognized School of Excellence.
(This article originally appeared in The Providence Visitor)
