Local High School Students Pumped Up For Thursday Debut Of Musical 'Pippin'

This story has been updated.

Video from the opening act of Port Chester High School's musical Pippin which debuts Thursday April 14 at 7:30 p.m. Additional performances are planned for 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

Photo Credit: Jon Craig

Video from the opening of the opening scene of Port Chester High musical Pippin which debuts Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Additional performances are planned for 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Port Chester High. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

Photo Credit: Jon Craig

Some of the leading cast members of Pippin, which debuts Thursday April 13 at Poet Chester High School. Tickets can be purchased at the auditorium entrance before the musical that includes a 13-piece orchestra.
Photo Credit: *Jon Craig*

Liam Herbert plays Pippin, which debuts on Thursday April 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Port Chester High School. Musical shows continue at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and involve more than 60 students from PCHS.
Photo Credit: *Jon Craig*

Port Chester's musical also are known for their dramatic lobby displys. This one was still in the works on Tuesday at PCHS where Pippin debuts on Thursday at 4 p.m. Port Chester's lobby display for "Rent" last spring was among several Metro awards.
Photo Credit: *Jon Craig*

Jon Craig

04/14/2016 12:00 p.m.

PORT CHESTER, N.Y. -- After months of rehearsals and fundraisers, it's finally showtime for Port Chester High School's musical production of Pippin. The opening show is Thursday April 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Many of the 60 high school students taking part in Pippin' held key roles in last fall's production of "You Can't Take It With You,'' as well as "Rent" last spring.

Josh Tenzer, a PCHS special education teacher, drama club adviser and producer of Pippin, said tickets can be purchased at the auditorium before the Friday and Saturday shows, which also start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens.

Tenzer was pumped up for this week's opening acts, -- wearing a black T-shirt promoting the show and listing names of all the cast members.

Leading cast members include Briana Velasquez, Liam Herbert as Pippin, Charles Simmons as "Charlie," Elizabeth Montemurro as "Catherine," Gisella McCallion as "Fastrada," Alfred DiLeo as "Lewis," Grace Simmons as "Bertha," Jack Lambert as a ghost and dancer, and Dylan Ramos as "Theo."

Actors include Simone Akins as the newscaster, Lynn Blumberg as a soldier, Gabirel Bodas as a soldier and dancer, Katie Garcia as a map dancer, Jake Gleason as fire man, Ryan Heffernan as a newscaster, Grace Herbert as a courtier and dancer, Jason Hodge as a soldier, Tanasia LaBrew as a soldier and Savannah Langenbach as a servant. Also in the cast are Eli Taylor-Lemire as a "talking head," Emily Loiaconi as a dancer, Taylor Masi as a dancer, Geniveve Pastena as a ghost and magic soloist and Robert Perrone as a noble and a soldier.

Rounding out the Pippin cast are Moira Sullivan as a monk, Marcella Zanetti as a soldier and player as well as Zeltzin Sanchez, Kris Arteaga and Julissa Hernandez, all as "players."

Devon James is the musical's director/choreographer, Michael Mastroianni is musical director, Patrick O'Connor is technical director, Taryn Grimes-Herbert is vocal coach and PCHS senior Diana Maldonado is serving as stage manager.

A March 12 benefit concert featuring Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Seth Glier (see video by clicking here) raised nearly $3,000 to help pay for sets, costumes and other costs.

Return to Daily Voice on Friday for more video, photos and names of students from the orchestra.

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