The "Can-Do Kids" is the title given to the drama club at the Academy of St. Dorothy that originated back in 2000. Directed and produced by Susan Uberti, the program has progressed greatly over the past ten years. The first play that was ever performed by the group was entitled "I Remember Mama" which included only about 10 eighth graders. The drama club has been expanded with open arms to students in the fifth through the eighth grade. As the quantity of the group has grown so has the quality. They have graduated to musicals from straight plays. Since 2001, Susan Uberti and Michael Nastacio (musical director and my father) have collaborated with their "kids" to put on: "Guys and Dolls," "Hello Dolly," "Annie Get Your Gun," "Bye Bye Birdie," "The Music Man," "Annie," Footloose," "Oklahoma," and their most recent, "Oliver." With the approval and gracious consent of their principal, Sr. Sharon McCarthy, the Academy of St. Dorothy does something no other elementary school on the island attempts to do: gather groups that have ranged from 40-50 students and place them on one unified stage. Starting in September with auditions, the cast practices once a week, and has an all-day practice once a month on the weekend. Two of the most used phrases for the "Can-Do Kids" are: "There are no small parts, just small actors." and "The world Can't is not in our vocabulary." Not only has this program succeeded with grammar school children, but for two years it was also extended to previous alumni to put on two summer productions. In 2003 and 2004, alumni came back to the stage where they all began to put on "Godspell," and "The School of Thought" (a collaboration of Broadway songs and a script put together by the cast.)
As a proud alumni of the Academy of St. Dorothy and a "Can-Do Kid" I cannot express how much the program as grown and prospered over the years. I had the opportunity to be involved with the drama club since their first musical, "Guys and Dolls" as a sixth grader. I was a dancer in both "Guys and Dolls," (Hot Box Girl) and "Hello Dolly." (A Waitress) As an eighth grader I obtained the role of "Annie," in "Annie Get Your Gun." Quite apprehensive at first, there were times throughout the six months where I believed I would never be able to pull it off. With the help and encouragement of my directors I gained so much confidence and was proud and overjoyed of my final accomplishments. I made wonderful memories and walked away from the drama club with such a great experience that I joined my fellow alumni for those two summers to continue our dream. Even now, about six years later, I returned to St. Dorothy to volunteer as the choreographer (with one of my former fellow cast members and friend- Stephanie Vuono) for the "Can-Do Kids." I feel it is my obligation to make sure these children get the same experiences and feel the same way I did those three years on the stage in the auditorium. Unfortunately the summer program is no longer available, but the door is always opened for newcomers no matter what grade.
Michael Nastacio plays the piano as the musical accompaniment for the students. They work diligently with both Miss Susan and Mr. Mike for six months to put on their well-received three day performance in March. With the help of parent volunteers, the practices are always successful. On performance nights as well as dress rehearsal, former "Can-Do Kids" return when available to help out with backstage as well as sound. Specifically, this year, Alfred Ragone (alumni) volunteered to hook up the microphones so the actors and actresses could be heard much better from the stage. Hair and makeup as well as the set designs are also done by parents and alumni- and in some cases alumni parents.
I encourage all students who are not currently enrolled in the program to join. It does not interfere with any sports children are involved in. The directors are willing to work around the children's schedule. It is a very rewarding experience for everyone, whether they are in the fifth or eighth grade. No matter when you choose to join you will be welcomed at anytime. Finally being on the audience side of the stage, parents will be amazed at what their children can do. Not only is it rewarding for the children, but for the parents as well to see the hard work their children have put in to make this show a success.
This year, eighth graders, John Paul Piccione, Robert Marchiano, Anthony Bentivegna, Mario Papa, and Joseph Roperti, backed up by a strong and amazing cast were able to put on three very entertaining performances on March 25, 26, and 27th. Many of these students go on to join the drama club when they enter high school as well. Speaking from experience, it is a great background to have behind you and is a definite confidence builder. Some of the biggest show-stoppers included "Food Glorious Food," "Consider Yourself," "I'd Do Anything," and "As Long As He Needs Me." Some critics might say "Oliver" is somewhat of a darker musical. For instance, the show begins with an orphanage filled with starving children. However, the children managed to put much life into the performance and really brightened up the show.
If you have seen any of the previous nine shows, you will know what to expect. "Oliver" was certainly a crowd pleaser. Even if you are not a fan of musicals themselves, it really is amazing to see a group of 40-50 grammar school students put on such intricate productions. The shows usually run for about two hours with a fifteen minute intermission where refreshments are sold. If you're looking for an early, but entertaining night out don't miss out on the St. Dorothy performances. It only happens once a year! Keep you eyes and ears peeled for the "Can-Do Kid's" performance next year at this time. While the cast is only opened to students in the school, the audience is opened to the public!
The Farrell Players will close the curtains tonight on their final of four performances of "Anything Goes." Directed by Andrew Monteleone and choreographed by Tanya Nicklaus-Garaffa, "Anything Goes" proved to be a truly enjoyable show. A cast of fifty-one talented and dedicated high school students (freshmen-seniors) put an extraordinary amount of hard work into making this show a success. Every show that the Farrell Players put on rarely disappoints. Go check out this high quality, low costing night on the town!
"Anything Goes" marks Mr. Monteleone's tenth year as director and sixteenth year as musical director at Monsignor Farrell. In addition to him being a member of the physicals faculty, he is also the founder and president of the Subset players (another local theater group on the island that does performances mainly in the summer.) This is Tanya's fourth year as the choreographer of the Farrell Players. A graduate from Muhlenberg College, Tanya has an astounding resume in dance and theater. I had the privilege of working with "Monte" and Tanya on two shows as a Farrell Player. Performing both Guys and Dolls and South Pacific (2006 and 2007) was a wonderful experience for me. I had the opportunity to make friends that became more like family as well as working with professionals. I personally encourage students to become part the drama club at whichever school they attend. It is really an amazing and rewarding feeling to be up on stage when the curtain closes, knowing that people are applauding for all of your hard work that you and your cast put in over the past few months!
The cast includes boys that are members of the Monsignor Farrell drama club as well as girls from schools all over Staten Island. Many of these boys work with Mr. Monteleone over the course of the school year as part of the Forensics team where they travel to various competitions. Some of the leading roles in the show include: Caitlin Branen as Reno Sweeny, James Boland as Billy Crocker, Megan Mandile as Hope Harcourt, and Thomas Fagoni as Moonface Martin. With support from a fabulous chorus, and an eleven piece orchestra (two of which were students) well known songs such as "I Get a Kick out of You," and "Friendship" are very memorable performances. Some may know the song "I Get a Kick Out of You" as made famous by Mr. Blue Eyes himself- Frank Sinatra! The title song of "Anything Goes" at the end of Act I is a real showstopper!
Anything Goes is set in the 1920s/1930s on a ship, the S.S. American. The set constructed with the help of the stage managers and stage crew (also Monsignor Farrell students) is amazingly done as if the whole performance takes place in and around the ship.
It proves to be an entertaining performance as the audience watches Billy and Moonface Martin encounter endeavors in their search for love and money. For $16 a ticket, Anything Goes is a definite hit! Do not miss the last performance tonight at 8:00 PM at Monsignor Farrell High School.
Bon Voyage!
Staten Island is the forgotten borough. This, I am here to tell you, is a myth. A frequent question that many tourists as well as residents ask themselves is: "What is there to do on Staten Island?" Besides taking a trip over to the Staten Island mall, one of the three movie theaters, or one of the two bowling alleys, you might be hard-pressed to find an activity to do after going to Applebee's for dinner. Theater on Staten Island takes a back seat to Broadway, Off-Broadway, and even shows put on by the Paper Mill Playhouse. Being located about an hour away from New York City allows local islanders to hop on the Staten Island Ferry and take a subway over to the theater district. Even an express bus can drop you off an avenue away from Times Square. However, with the downfall of the economy over the past couple of years, the option of buying tickets to Broadway shows that cost anywhere between the range of $55 - $135 a piece is no more. Although, the economy does not affect the fact that people do have a passion for musicals and a need for entertainment. I am here to report on the theater happenings on Staten Island. Good quality and affordable performances are available right at our fingertips. Some companies just do not have the funding to advertise and get the word out about these shows, musicals, plays, concerts, etc. that they are hosting locally. There are many schools in and around Staten Island that put on performances that are of very high quality. Schools ranging from elementary up to the college level put on various productions throughout the year. Many of the schools do either fall or spring shows. There are other theater groups on the Island such as at the St. George Theater, Snug Harbor, Staten Island Children's Theater, The Actor's Workshop, etc. that hold auditions and have openings for stage crew positions available as well. I will be reporting on shows put on by these theater productions, as well as schools such as: the College of Staten Island, Wagner College, St. John's University, St. Joseph Hill Academy, Monsignor Farrell High School, and much much more. The prices for these tickets vary from $5 - $25 (a large disparity from the Broadway prices if you ask me.) Personally, having invested many hours of my life in devotion to theater I will be able to talk about some of my own personal experiences as well. I have performed in many Rogers and Hammerstein productions including: Oklahoma, The King and I, Carousel, and South Pacific (all of which took place while I was in high school.) The months and months of preparation and practice for these shows could really give someone insight to the passion the upcoming actors and actresses have for theater. Many peers my age that I performed with went on to college to pursue their dreams of possibly being on Broadway one day. Everyone has to start somewhere and don't miss out on seeing them perform locally before they "make it big." Who knows, this "forgotten borough" might just be the place for their "claim to fame."
I am what one might call, a "theater geek." I am a junior at the Macaulay Honors College; College of Staten Island and am a English writing major with a concentration in secondary education. Some say I was born with performance in my blood. Having been a dancer since age three, I have performed on stage in numerous recitals, concerts, and musicals. Some of my favorite roles include Annie in Annie Get Your Gun, Specialty Dancers in Oklahoma, South Pacific, Guys and Dolls, and the King and I, and the Heavenly Friend in Carousel. All of which, I had been a part of various theater groups on Staten Island. I have currently seen every show that is now playing on Broadway and am a frequent visitor to Manhattan. I am here to report and talk about theater in and around where I am from- Staten Island. While some might say "there's not much to do or see there," I am here to prove them wrong. Enjoy the blog and check out the happenings in Staten Island- and remember "there's no people like show people!"
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