July 31
...serving up your daily dish.
Passaic Valley Summer Theater, traditionally a co-production of the drama clubs of Passaic Valley High School and Glen Ridge High School, actually drew talent from six local schools this year, including Bloomfield High School. Because the cast drew the top talent from such a wide area -- and with the involvement of three directors, Jeff Budd of Little Falls and Darren Gage and James Millar of Glen Ridge -- the show exceeded the standards of a typical high school musical. And with a revolving barricade and everything!
Matt Storm, who graduated from Bloomfield High School in June, starred as Jean Valjean. Glen Ridge High School graduates Brian Baskin and Emily Deptula were hilarious as Thenardier and Mme. Thenardier. Noah Levinson and Cary Gsell of Glen Ridge, the youngest members of the cast at age 12, share the role of Gavroch (Noah on Friday night and Sunday, Cary on Saturday).
Other local talent from Glen Ridge: Scott Pendergrass, Matt Frew, Jed Lubin, Jeremy Abramson, Greg Hernandez, Margot Levinson, Jesse Cohen and Emily Tumbleson. From Bloomfield: Gary Meffettone and Nicole Spiezio.
Other high schools represented were Passaic Valley High School, Verona High School, Columbia High School and West Orange High School.
July 31, 2004 in Footlights | Permalink
I saw the dress rehearsal on Thursday night. It was fantastic. Congratulations to everyone involved in the production for all of the hard work, and amazing results. Unfortunately, I couldn't come back over the weekend and see Noah. He assured me that he was as great in the part of Gavroche as Cary. I have no doubt!
Posted by: Jessica | Aug 2, 2004 2:55:39 PM
Congratulations!
I'm glad to hear that local talent is being developed and used! I'm sorry that I had to miss the performance due to work!
Posted by: Rebecca Shaw | Aug 2, 2004 11:23:14 PM
Hi,
I was in the production and not only was it an excellent production but to work with such talented and interesting people is such an awesome thing. Anyone interested in musical theater in NJ that is in high school should audition. It's competitive if you've never done any previous theater, yet not so hard if you've been involved. Jeff Budd is amazing and Mr. Millar and Darren Gage are fabulous. Nothing could equal Les Mis.
Posted by: Margot | Aug 5, 2004 1:16:19 AM
Congratulations to all of you,,You deserve two thumbs up!..^_^
Posted by: medieval clothing | Oct 12, 2010 2:55:45 AM