STONEHAM, MA — Wilmington students Maura Sullivan, Isabelle Richards and Sophia Dehart will be taking the stage at Stoneham Theatre, 395 Main St., Stoneham, during the young company Summer Festival 2015. Stoneham Theatre’s young company offers year-round theatrical training and performance opportunities for students in grades one-12. The Summer Festival is the culmination of five weeks of preparation by the students and their professional directors, music directors, choreographers, stage managers and design team.
The young company Summer Festival includes six fully staged productions: classic musicals “My Son Pinocchio, Jr.”, “Godspell” and “Damn Yankees” run Aug. 6-9 and are performed by students in grades four through nine. “Titanic,” a new rock musical version of “Love’s Labour’s Lost” and “Rough Magic,” a contemporary twist on Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” all run Aug. 13-16 and are performed by students in grades 10-12 and recent high school graduates.
Dehart will appear as Adriana in Disney’s “My Son Pinocchio, Jr.,” which is a fairy tale meets action-packed adventure. The classic Disney story is told from toymaker Geppetto’s perspective. After being brought to life, Pinocchio runs away from home to become a famous star in gypsy puppeteer Stromboli’s show. As Geppetto searches for Pinocchio, he is pushed outside the familiarity of life at the Toyshop and discovers the meaning of fun and family. “My Son Pinocchio, Jr.” features “When You Wish Upon a Star,” alongside a host of new songs with music and lyrics by Grammy and Tony Award-winner Stephen Schwartz. The play is adapted from the Walt Disney Motion Picture “Pinocchio” and the book by David Stern. The play’s music is by Leigh Harline and lyrics are by Ned Washington.
Sullivan will appear as Bryan in “Damn Yankees.” In the play, baseball fanatic Joe Boyd wants to return to his youth and take his favorite team, the Washington Senators, to the World Series to beat the New York Yankees. An impulsive deal with the devil grants his wish, and he becomes national baseball hero Joe Hardy. But was the deal with the devil worth it? And will the devil succeed in distracting Joe with temptress Lola and ultimately take his soul, or will the homesick Joe escape back to his wife? This Broadway hit features songs such as “You’ve Gotta Have Heart” and “Whatever Lola Wants.” Words and music are by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, the book, which is by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop, is based on the novel by Douglass Wallop, “The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant.” The play is directed by Allison Russell and choreographed by Shaina Schwartz with music direction by Taylor Kirkwood.
Richards will play Ariel in “Rough Magic,” a mythical and mega meta-epic. Melanie, a mild-mannered dramaturg, rediscovers her secret super power: She can bring characters on the page to life. She and her mismatched team battle Prospero, the world’s greatest magician, in their efforts to save the world’s greatest city. The show was written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and is directed by Tyler Rosati with movement direction by Amanda Sirois.
Disney’s “My Son Pinocchio, Jr.” will show at Stoneham Theatre at noon Aug. 7-9. “Damn Yankees” will show at 7 p.m. Aug. 6 and at 7 p.m. Aug. 8-9. “Rough Magic” will show at the theatre at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 13 and at 1 p.m. Aug. 15-16.
Tickets are $15. For information: 781-279-2200 or stonehamtheatre.org.
(NOTE: The above press release and photo are shared with permission from Stoneham Theatre.)
Like Wilmington Apple on Facebook! Follow Wilmington Apple on Twitter! Subscribe to Wilmington Apple’s daily email newsletter HERE! Got a comment, question, photo, press release, or news tip? Email wilmingtonapple@gmail.com!
Wilmington Apple 