Broadway Night nostalgic for High Poing alumni

SUSSEX — Fundraising has begun at High Point Regional High School for the spring musical.

The school hosted its third annual Broadway Night on Jan. 10 to raise money for the production of "Damn Yankees," which features a cast of 50.

Admission to Broadway Night was granted by a monetary donation.

“We did Damn Yankees in 2008 and had a great time with it,” said theatre and choral arts teacher Theresa Riccardi, who has been directing productions at the high school for 15 years. “It was just the right pick.”

The night featured High Point students and alumni performing a variety of Broadway numbers, as well as three dance numbers performed by Dance Expression: “Outside the Box,” choreographed by Colleen Lynch, “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend,” from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes featuring dancers Ashley Benecki and Danielle Gutt, and “Grease Medly,” the latter two were choreographed by High Point 2003 alumn Ellen McGovern.

Lisa Simko, owner of Dance Expression, will choreograph High Point’s spring musical.

“Each year is incredibly mind-boggling,” Riccardi said. “It’s so wonderful to see the present students mix with the alumni. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.”

Hosted by High Point alumni Antoinette Fasino and Jim Phillips, both of the class of 2012, the musical numbers were accompanied on the piano by Assistant Choral Director Dorothy Martin and John Zatorski, Wallkill Valley High School band director and 2014’s "Damn Yankees" musical director.

Alumn Louis Pieri, 21 of Wantage, a 2010 graduate of High Point, sang “Run Away With Me” from The Unauthorized Biography of Samantha Brown. Currently attending the County College of Morris on a $2,500 scholarship, double majoring in Musical Theatre and Music Education, Pieri returned to the High Point stage to perform “a cute song that’s good for a cabaret-type setting.”

Involved in all eight main-stage productions at High Point when he was in high school, Pieri played Washington Senators manager Benny Van Buren in High Point’s 2008 production of "Damn Yankees."

Newton resident Monica Hahn, 23 graduated from High Point in 2009. Also having participated in all eight main-stage productions at High Point, Hahn portrayed the wicked Miss Hannigan in High Point’s 2009 production of "Annie" and the character Lola in "Damn Yankees" in 2008.

Her first time returning to the High Point stage for Broadway Night, Hahn sang “Someone Like You” from Jekyll and Hyde and a duet “In His Eyes,” also from Jekyll and Hyde, with Justine Doherty of the class of 2010.

Junior Samuel Morisson, 17 of Sussex is the featured lead Joe in the upcoming musical at High Point.

“My character, Joe Boyd, makes a deal with the devil to become a great baseball player named Joe Hardy,” Morisson said. “He wants to help his favorite team, the Washington Senators, win the pennant. It’s a great show with good music and a hilarious script. I encourage everyone to come and see it.”

The show was concluded with theatre students past and present singing Richard Adler and Jerry Ross’s “Heart” from Damn Yankees.

The spring production is scheduled for April 11 and 12 at 7 p.m. and April 13 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students, children and senior citizens.

“Rehearsals have begun and we’re thrilled,” Riccardi said. “Here’s to the next few weeks. We’re looking forward to it.”