Not the same old songs and dances
Published on June 14, 2012 in News
by Abby Lavalley (Staff Writer)
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| Photo Courtesy of Samantha Asher '13 |
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| Photo by Jeff Holcombe |
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| Photo by Jeff Holcombe |
“It exceeded my expectations!” said Alexis Ditomassi ’12 about this year’s Musical Revue. Titled Two Men Falling and directed by Melanie Silverman ’12, Spencer Congero ’12, and Jessica Faust ’13, Musical Revue showcased the amazing talent at Loomis Chaffee with a range of classic songs and some contemporary pieces. Students, parents, and teachers all piled into the Hubbard auditorium to watch Loomis’s talented singers come together to produce a show that contained both drama and humor. The song choices, which emanated an amusing energy, were from a plethora of musicals, including Spring Awakening, Jersey Boys, Little Shop of Horrors, Grease and Little Women. Sarah Horowitz ‘13 and Chloe Alexander ‘12 sang an entertaining duet from The Little Mermaid, while Amanda McParlane ‘13, Liana Barron ‘14, and Kayla Schreibstein ‘14 sang a comical, but sometimes sorrowful, Shrek piece portraying three lonely stages of the princess Fiona’s life in her tower. The Revue also performed some saddening performances, like the piece from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee sung by Melanie Silverman, Sara Kase ‘12, and Darius Moore ‘13 about a young girl who dreams of receiving affection from her parents. Musical Review starts planning for its springtime show early, with the directors coming up with a list of songs over the summer before whittling them down over the course of the year. Even though auditions and the first practices begin in the fall, “the true bonding happens when we begin to block the songs and learn the dances” explains Faust. One of the things that makes Musical Revue so unique every years is its ability to not only sing popular songs from musicals, but also act them out just as a musical would. Each piece sounded professional and emotional in a way that entertained and moved the audience. But, the things that truly set Musical Revue apart this year were the packed house each night, the enthusiastic clapping and cheering after each piece, and the buzz it generated for weeks after the shows.
As Faust explains, “The support from the wider Loomis community just fuels our fun.” Musical Revue succeeds each year in bringing Loomis a little piece of Broadway, connecting us to the bright lights and big chorus lines that are unique to musical theatre.
A few weeks later came another hotly anticipated artistic event: the Dance Revue. With performances by Dance Company I, Dance Company II, and many other group and individual dancers, this year’s Dance Revue turned into one of the longest and most diverse ever. Tickets sold out quickly and for good reason. Produced by the Department of Theater and Dance, “The Dance Companies work on various dances all year long for inclusion in the Dance Revue” says Kate Loughlin, director of the show, “and then rehearsed during all-school free periods leading up to the Revue.” Like the Musical Revue, the Dance Revue features some of Loomis’s most artistically talented students. Many group performances, especially those of Dance Company I and Dance Company II, were choreographed by Loughlin and dance instructor Laura Moran. But, many solos and small group numbers were actually produced by the students themselves, making their complexity even more impressive. The numbers also ranged greatly in their style. “In planning the show, we try to have a good variety of dance styles represented (contemporary, ballet, hip-hop, jazz, etc),” Loghlin explains. From ballet pieces by Company I and Company II to hip hop numbers to a dance straight from India, the Dance Revue truly incorporated something for everyone. But, more than that, it exposed the Island to an art form that sometimes gets lost in between cello concerts, visiting artists, and One Acts. It reminded us of the power and grace that can be found in the arch of a back and the indescribable joy of watching sequined skirts go spinning through the air. As far as Loughlin is concerned, “I hope the audience is entertained. I hope they might be made to feel something visceral in a moment of movement that speaks to them. I hope a dance may make them think. I hope they are transported someplace else for 90 minutes.” Mission accomplished.
As Faust explains, “The support from the wider Loomis community just fuels our fun.” Musical Revue succeeds each year in bringing Loomis a little piece of Broadway, connecting us to the bright lights and big chorus lines that are unique to musical theatre.
A few weeks later came another hotly anticipated artistic event: the Dance Revue. With performances by Dance Company I, Dance Company II, and many other group and individual dancers, this year’s Dance Revue turned into one of the longest and most diverse ever. Tickets sold out quickly and for good reason. Produced by the Department of Theater and Dance, “The Dance Companies work on various dances all year long for inclusion in the Dance Revue” says Kate Loughlin, director of the show, “and then rehearsed during all-school free periods leading up to the Revue.” Like the Musical Revue, the Dance Revue features some of Loomis’s most artistically talented students. Many group performances, especially those of Dance Company I and Dance Company II, were choreographed by Loughlin and dance instructor Laura Moran. But, many solos and small group numbers were actually produced by the students themselves, making their complexity even more impressive. The numbers also ranged greatly in their style. “In planning the show, we try to have a good variety of dance styles represented (contemporary, ballet, hip-hop, jazz, etc),” Loghlin explains. From ballet pieces by Company I and Company II to hip hop numbers to a dance straight from India, the Dance Revue truly incorporated something for everyone. But, more than that, it exposed the Island to an art form that sometimes gets lost in between cello concerts, visiting artists, and One Acts. It reminded us of the power and grace that can be found in the arch of a back and the indescribable joy of watching sequined skirts go spinning through the air. As far as Loughlin is concerned, “I hope the audience is entertained. I hope they might be made to feel something visceral in a moment of movement that speaks to them. I hope a dance may make them think. I hope they are transported someplace else for 90 minutes.” Mission accomplished.
