Looking for the next big thing since Rent? Look no further.
Artwork by Mia Nogueira
On the first day of the 2010-2011 school year, TJ Drama Department Directors Edwina Hebert, Michael Palmieri and Carol Fulkerson announced the musical they would be putting on in the spring. Students had been on the edge of their seats waiting for this announcement since the curtain fell on last year’s production of RENT, but the directors kept it under tight wraps until the first day of school.
The musical TJ’s drama department will be putting on this year is Phantom of the Opera. This show has been on Broadway for 20 years, and is a favorite among musical lovers worldwide. “Phantom is probably the best-known musical of all time. People who don’t know musicals know what Phantom is because it’s universal. It’s just the show everybody knows about. It’s huge in everything. The songs are huge, the dance is going to be big, the set is going to be epic. It’s going to be kind of a big deal,” said Hebert.
Just because the musical is so big, doesn’t mean students should be intimidated. The directors encourage students of all levels of musical talent to audition. “I would love to teach anybody who wants to learn anything they want to know [about singing] and make them successful in the show, because I think anybody can sing if they just give it a shot,” said Hebert, going who went on to say that upperclassmen don’t get preference. “Roles are given based on talent and how we feel the person will portray the part based on their audition. You could be a freshman and come in and blow us away and get a huge lead or you could be a senior who’s never done anything with us before and just have a natural talent and also get a huge lead. You could be anybody that walks in, and if you’ve got it, then you’ll get the role you deserve. It doesn’t matter what grade you’re in.”
TJ’s drama department has some of the most supportive directors, and each one has the utmost faith in students. The program would be nothing without the mutual high expectations and trust. “The kids that we have had are ready for this. I think it will encourage new people to get involved with the department because it’s such a popular show. We have a really good class of seniors and juniors coming in – and new kids coming in – that I know are more than capable of pulling off this show,” said Hebert.
Stay tuned to the Journal for monthly updates and in-depth features with all of the directors and cast members.
