From Thursday, February 5th to Saturday, February 7th, the GRHS Theatre Company ran it’s winter musical, Disney’s “Freaky Friday.” The auditorium was packed with around 100 onlookers, as the red curtains swayed slightly in anticipation for the opening number. Each night gained more and more viewers, with the two shows on Saturday having a combined 300 sold tickets.
This year, the theater company experienced a few changes. GRHS English teacher, Aaron Sartorio took on the role of co-director, alongside long-time participant, Anna Lilikas. Students worked through an adjustment period with the new director, but it all came together to create a show that had raving reviews.
“It turned out a lot better than I expected. Behind the scenes it was kind of chaotic, but the end product was really good,” Violet Janocko, co-head of the costumes department explained.
Also for the first time, the musical was “double-casted,” meaning a different set of actors would be performing depending on the show time. Maggie Rundell portrayed the mom, Catherine, and Charlie Chiappetta played the daughter, Ellie on Thursday and Saturday night. While Catherine was played by Lydia Mehreteab and Ellie, by Franny Neville, on Friday night and Saturday afternoon. The decision was made to give more opportunity to the many talented students in the theater company, especially the seniors.
GRHS art teacher, Kelleyann Jackson, took time out of her weekend to experience the magic, “I thought the singing was beautiful… Lydia, she played a mature woman very well. The young girl, Franny, did a good job showing that dynamic.”
Chiappetta was also praised for her portrayal of the characters, “I thought that she was very expressive and she convinced me that she was two different people,” explained GRHS senior, Belen Bullrich Alonso.
Between the four leads’ ability to act and sing, Sartorio’s success in directing the high school musical for the first time, and commended costumes, Disney’s “Freaky Friday,” was another hit for the GRHS theater company. They’ll close with their final show of the year, “Almost Maine,” in April which will be the final opportunity to see the seniors perform.
