Toasting the Magis

Celebrating a historic run on the Prep stage with some wonderful human beings.

The Drowsy Chaperone Opens Friday at SJP

The next installment of continued excellence on the Prep's stage begins tomorrow night with the opening of "The Drowsy Chaperone." Along with Episcopal High School in Houston, St. Joseph's Prep, will be the first high school to produce this Tony Award-winning musical.

One of my mentors and former chaplain of the Cape and Sword Drama Program at SJP, Fr. Ryan Maher S.J., once said:

"Sometimes theater is about trying to escape from the darker corners of the human condition. Sometimes it’s about trying to hide in the comforting folds of the skirt of the human condition. Sometimes it’s about the tough middle where most of us spend most of our lives, where some things are good and calm and even funny, and others are bad and stormy and sad. Theater is about all of that because being human is about all of that. That’s why theater will always be part of Jesuit education, and why it has been since the very first days of Jesuit schools in the 1500s. And for that, I say, “Thanks be to God.”

Come see Fr. Maher's words and hundreds of years of Jesuit ideals alive on stage by getting your ticket to "The Drowsy Chaperone" by clicking here.

Sweeney Todd Trailer

For those who missed this wonderful production here's some small snipets. Like what you see? Stayed tuned for SJP's spring production of "The Drowsy Chaperone." The Prep will be one of first high schools in the nation to produce Drowsy (a high school in Texas will beat us by a month, but we'll be a close 2nd!)

Sweeney Todd @ St. Joe's Prep

Last night was Opening Night of Sweeney Todd at my beloved alma mater St. Joe's Prep. Quick SJP joke I heard this week and loved:

Q: "How many Prep Guys does it take to screw in a lighbulb?"

A #1: "FIVE -- 1 to screw it in and 4 to scream 'Yeah Prep!'"

A#2: "FIVE -- 1 to screw it in and 4 to talk about how awesome it was for the next 30 years."

Funny cause it's true :)

Anywho -- Sweeney Todd is another stunning success on the Prep stage. Technically, this is the most intense show the Prep has taken on since my days as a student. Set changes complete with a spinning parlor/house/barbershop, 2 movable staircases, and a shaving chair with a slide to help Sweeney's dirty work are all highlights (The first time the chair was used last night got applause mid-song!). I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with the stage crew during the rehearsal pricess this time around and I couldn't be more proud of a group of guys. The set looks amazing -- as always -- and in true Prep form the set changes are executed like several characters in the show -- very professionally. (Rimshot!)

As for actors -- I don't know where to begin for fear of leaving someone out, but some amazing moments from last night:

• Every single thing Kevin Toniazzo-Naughton '11 (Sweeney) and Gianna Yanelli (Lovett) MMA '10 did. The quintessential production of Sweeney with Angela Landsbury was an inspiration for SJP's version. There are moments that these 2 highschool actors capture as well as 2 Broadway legends.

(Gianna Yanelli MMA '10 and Kevin Toniazzo-Naughton '11)

• Joe Binck '11 (Tobias) singing "Nothing's Gonna Harm You" in Act 2. Solid performance all around by Binck, he nailed this number and it's amazing to see how far his as come as an actor, person, and singer.
• The chemistry between Brendan Lash '10 (Anthony) and Anne Wechsler MMA '10 (Johanna). Both take complicated -- and at times boring songs -- and make clear and engaging choices.

(Brendan Lash '10 as Anthony and Anne Wechsler MMA '10 as Johanna)

• Freddy Ventura '11 (Judge Turpin) has the creepiness of Alan Rickman in Die Hard (mostly because he looks like him) and serves as such a worthy adversary to KTN's menacing Sweeney. Freddy off the stage is one of the most polite and humble people I've ever met -- it makes this performance even more impressive.
• Hasani Allen '12 (Beadle Bamford) -- as a Mad Hatter look-alike -- is strong as the Judge's #2. Great work with the accent if I do say so myself :)
• Kelly Leonard MSJA '11 (Beggar Woman) was SO impressive. She completely disappeared on stage and really knocked my socks off.
• Pat Dooley '10 showed why he is one of the funniest actors in SJP history as Adolfo Pirelli.
• Everyone else -- before I get carpal tunnel -- was wonderful. I thought the ensemble was particularly good in "God That's Good!" at the beginning of Act 2.

(Joe Binck '11 as Tobias)

I can't wait to see all of these performances grow over the run of the show. I encourage anyone in the Philly area to come see this production. I guarantee -- for only $10 -- you will see a Broadway caliber show. Honestly, if you come see the show and are not satisfied, I will will personally give you your money back. I'm that sure that I won't have to spend a dime. And don't just take my word -- Tom Byrn a local actor who was in Spinning Into Butter with me in April and will be appearing in On Golden Pond at Act 2 Playhouse in Ambler this month took me up on an invitation to see SJP's Urinetown and was throughly impressed. I saw him after a show 2 weeks ago and he brought up Urinteown and how great it was.

Get ticket for Sweeney Todd here.

Come See Urinetown!!!!

As many of you know, I'm an Assistant Director at my alma mater, St. Joe's Prep.  Our latest production of "Urinetown" opens this week.  It's the 30th production director by Barrymore Award Winning Actor, Tony Braithwaite.  The Prep's drama program is very strong and this promises to be one of the best productions in school history.

As legendary LaSalle Univ. and current SJP basketball coach "Speedy" Morris once said, "The theater program at the Prep is the best coached team at the school."  Come see what Coach Morris and thousands of Cape and Sword followers already know -- there are high school students in your backyard putting on professional level entertainment.  Come support local arts, and who knows, you may see the next Mike Rady (SJP Drama '96-'99).

Get your tickets here.