Haddonfield will get a little taste of Disney this week, when songs and dances from well-known movies and shows come to life on the Haddonfield Memorial High School stage.
The HMHS Drama Club will be performing its annual end-of-year musical theater showcase “Bulldawgs on Broadway: Disney Edition” on April 30 at 7 p.m. High school students will bring classic and contemporary Disney pieces to life through song and dance. The performance is free to attend, though the club will collect freewill donations.
“Audiences should attend to support the theater arts in our community as well as the talented and hardworking students of the Haddonfield Memorial High School Drama Club. It is a fun event for the entire family,” Director Matt DiDonato said.
“It’s a really fun show because it is Disney and people of all ages will like it. There are some older songs for people who are older and more nostalgic … and for the kids there are newer songs. I think everyone will have fun and know the songs,” senior Emily Pinsky said.
The second “Bulldawgs on Broadway,” the event was created to give students more opportunities to perform, consisting of solos, duets and small group numbers.
“The show is great for people of all ages. We’re especially hoping that families with young kids will come and expose a new generation to live theater,” DiDonato said.
After four short weeks of practice, 30 talented student performers will be singing and dancing their way into audience members’ hearts with group numbers such as “Circle of Life” from “The Lion King” and “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” from “Mulan” and also solos and duets from movies such as “Cinderella” and “Mary Poppins.” All performances will be accompanied with live music, played by students and staff.
“I don’t think people realize how much talent can come from this small group of kids that is definitely worth coming to see,” senior Ruth Ann May said.
This event also marks the debut performance of the new HMHS Tap Club, which has prepared a lively routine from Disney’s Broadway show “Newsies.” The club was started when many students became interested in tap after the 2015 HMHS show “Anything Goes.”
“We decided to channel that interest into a new performing group. Tap Club will be performing ‘King of New York’ from ‘Newsies’ … We’ll also be performing at the Haddonfield Memorial High School spring dance concert at the beginning of June,” DiDonato said.
DiDonato hopes those who come to the show will leave the theater happier than when they arrived and with smiles on their faces and a song in their heart. Following the free performance, the Drama Club will be accepting donations to fund the purchase of new lavalier microphones.
“We are hoping that if people enjoy the show, they will consider making a donation to the Drama Club. All donations collected will go toward purchasing new lavalier microphones that the students will use in future productions,” DiDonato said.
“Come see us! It’s one night only … (and) it helps support the drama club and raise funds for the musical,” junior Cuinlan Pedretti said.
“Bulldawgs on Broadway: Disney Edition” will be held Saturday, April 30, at 7 p.m. in the HMHS auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
