"42nd Street" at North Allegheny High School

This past Friday evening we partook in what has become an annual event for us - the annual North Allegheny High School musical.  This year it was an old Broadway war horse, "42nd Street", and what a wonderful treat it was.

We have been attending the NA musicals for the better part of ten years and every time we walk out we always say, "this was the best one yet".  I also repeat what I always say after one of these, and that is, if you ever worry about the state of the world and "all these kids today", just go to a high school musical, any high school musical.  Your spirits will be lifted immensely from watching the energy, the energy, and the performances these 14-18 year old kids.

"42nd Street" was no exception, and we particularly enjoyed this one because four of the principal leads, two male and two females, were members of St. John Neumann, our home parish.  Well done Margot, Elizabeth, John, and  Mark, as well as ALL of the kids involved - actors, orchestra, and crew.

We also felt a kinship with this play because one our friends and fellow Caring Place volunteer, Andrea Jaecks, an art teacher in the NA school district, served as the choreographer for this play (as she has for the last several years).  Andrea had told us that probably 3/4 of the cast had never tap danced before, but if you saw this play, and saw those 40 or so kids up there on stage tap dancing their hearts out, you would have never known it. So while this play was all about the kids, and rightly so, I also want to send out special props to our friend Andrea.  You did a terrific job, Mrs, Jaecks!

North Allegheny's "Footloose"

This past Thursday evening we took in the North Allegheny High School Spring musical, "Footloose".  I will say what I always say whenever I attend something like this: few things give you better feeling for the future than attending a high school musical.  This production was no exception.

Absolutely amazing energy and talent from all of these kids on stage.  My favorite number was "Let's Hear It for the Boy" wherein the character Willard admits he doesn't know how to dance.  His buddy teaches him a few rudimentary steps, which he stumbles through at first, and then, of course, he catches on and dazzles everyone on stage and in the audience.  Predictable?  Of course, but completely entertaining and fun.

Cheers as always to the cast, orchestra and stage crew of NA kids who always make the Spring Musical such a fun thing to attend.  And while the kids deserve all the credit, I would like to give a special shout out to our fellow Caring Place volunteer, Andre Ronk.  "Miss Ronk" is an elementary school art teacher at North Allegheny, and she has been the choreographer of the NA musicals for the last, I believe, six or seven years.  She did another bang-up job working with this cast for all of the great dance numbers in "Footloose".  Way to go, Andrea!!

We have one more high school musical on our agenda - "Legally Blonde" at Montour HS next month.

Anyone, please take the time to see a high school  musical in your area.  You won't regret it. 

The Seneca Valley Film Festival...and Other High School Thoughts

Last night Marilyn and I ventured north to the Strand Theater in the heart of beautiful downtown Zelionople, PA to take in the first Seneca Valley Film Festival.  For over two hours we watched about two dozen short films and videos that were written, directed, produced, and starred students from Seneca Valley High School. We had a horse in this race as our nephew, sophomore Zach Stoner, had a hand in several of these offerings, both in front of and behind the camera. 

I suppose that at this point we shouldn't be surprised by such things, but we were once again blown away by the talent displayed by these young kids.  That was some absolutely amazing stuff that was on display last night.  Congratulations to all of these kids for putting their wonderful abilities, and congratulations to the Seneca Valley School District for making it possible for these kids to have the opportunity to develop and  fulfill the talent within them.

And, of course, special congratulations to Zach!

When I thought about it last night, I realized that attending this film festival put the cap on a school year where we saw an awful lot of positive efforts by a lot of kids:

• Varsity soccer games at Central Catholic
• Freshman and JV basketball games at Central
• Orchestra and Strolling Strings performances at North Allegheny
• The North Allegheny Spring Musical
• The Percussion concert at Mt. Lebanon High School
• The Mt. Lebanon High School baseball team
• The young film makers at Seneca Valley

Congratulations to all of these terrific kids.  It was a joy watching all of it!

"Peter Pan" at North Allegheny

Last night we saw the North Allegheny High School spring musical, "Peter Pan." What an amazing experience. When you see and hear the talent among the actors, orchestra, and crew, you cannot believe that you are watching 14, 15, 16, and 17 year old kids. Just an amazing experience.

I have always said that if you ever feel cynical and worried about the future of the world, go see a high school musical. You'll feel a lot better about the upcoming generations.