What a glorious feeling!
Cherry Hill East seniors Mike Buono and Chris Heinze are ready to take on their biggest roles yet as Don Lockwood in East’s rendition of “Singin’ in the Rain.”
“It’s pretty surreal. On closing night, I’ll try to remember all the performances — they’ll come all at once,” said Buono, who plans to pursue acting this fall in college.
Don is a popular silent film star from the 1920s who can do it all. His studio, Monumental Pictures, pushes him to stay with Lina Lamont, played by Lauren Keleher and Gaby Chapman, to boost their popularity. Lina is convinced the two are in love.
To escape, Lockwood jumps into a car driven by Kathy Selden, played by Melanie Mendel and Tori Wolfgang. Kathy tells Don she’s an actress and pretends not to know who Don is.
The lighthearted show captures Don as he meets his match while trying to salvage Monumental Pictures’ first talking movie.
The theater version is directed by Tom Weaver, who’s taught at East for 35 years and been involved with the theater throughout his time there. He’s spent the last four years directing the musicals at the high school.
“Mr. Weaver is a phenomenal director,” said sophomore Brandon Weinberg, who will play the third assistant director and Charlie Chaplin. “Everyone here spends most of their time working on the show.”
For many students in the production, this will be their last time performing at East on the stage.
“Since I was a freshman, I love being on stage. This is my first big role,” said Heinze, who said he wants to continue to participate in theater while studying sound design at the Savannah College of Art and Design. “It’s sad. It’s a fun experience and cool costumes, but it’s bittersweet, too.”
There’s no shortage of preparation for “Singin’ in the Rain.” Students said they’ve be
en practicing about three hours a day throughout the week for eight weeks. And last week, students held dress rehearsals every night to iron out every last detail before going live in front of a paying audience.
The experience, though, is one many said they would never trade.
“It’s a great experience. Everyone here is so nice and friendly,” Weinberg said. “We’re held to high standards and that’s what makes it great.”
The cast, crew and orchestra will perform “Singin’ in the Rain” this weekend on March 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. There will also be a matinee on March 11 at 2 p.m.
The box office will be open through March 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information, visit east.cherryhill.k12.nj.us.
