“My Favorite Year” is one of those little known gems of the theatre that has a great tuneful score, a heartwarming story, rousing production numbers, fascinating, colorful characters and great acting opportunities for a large cast. It’s a coming of age story about relationships, career, family and falling in love. Over the past four decades we’ve done most of the old war horses of the musical theatre, and I say that affectionately, but this was an opportunity to do something that most people have not seen and do not know how it will end. Hopefully, you’ll fall in love with it the way I have.
This production is the collaboration of many extremely talented people. The cast and crews have once again outdone themselves in terms of the creative energy and hard work that has gone into this production, and I couldn’t be prouder of them. Bravo to our awesome cast, crews, student directors and dance captains. For the past three months they have been rehearsing five days a week (including all day Saturdays) and every one of them have added their own something special to this production.
Our students are indeed amazingly talented, and it warms my heart to see many of them come back to their Alma Mater to contribute to the theatre. Mrs. Claire Craft, Dr. Paul Caruso, Mr. Ron Mancini, Mrs. Mary Charmello, Ms. Jessica Cox, Mrs. Tara Cook and Mrs. Laurie Aich are all proud graduates of Sayreville War Memorial High School and were all excellent students involved in the arts who have returned to their artistic roots. Mrs. Craft has put in countless hours with the business crew, working on publicity, our foyer display, the play program, ticket sales, box office, and concession stand. She also established a way for our theatre patrons to purchase their tickets online at www.showtix4u.com.
Dr. Paul Caruso played in the Pit band as a student for Bye Bye Birdie, Carousel and George M! and for the past 15 years has been the trainer and conductor of our pit orchestra. Mr. Ron Mancini, a gifted director in his own right, was involved in our Stardust program, as well as all of his plays and musicals as a student here at SWMHS and is now in charge of stage makeup and costuming. Mrs. Silvia Pavon, while not a graduate of our school, is the mother of a very talented theatre graduate and along with Mrs. Aich continues to create a colorful palette of amazing costume designs, including tea cups, walking 1950’s cigarette packs, cowboys, Indians, cavemen and the “look of the 1950’s”. Mrs. Charmello and Miss Cox designed and constructed our 1950’s sets, which provided the feel of the 1950’s, right down to furniture and props. Miss Tara, who has been our choreographer for the past two decades, created the eye-catching dance numbers, and choreographed the heart-wrenching ballads as well.
No one involved in this production has put in more time, talent and creativity than Mr. James Craft. While not a graduate of SWMHS, he is a Sayreville institution, having been involved with our theatre and choir program for almost a quarter of a century. Mr. Craft not only trained the singers, but also supervised and guided our light crew, sound crew and stage crew. He also designed the lighting and sound plot for the show. Finally, a special thank you to all the parents, guardians and family members of the cast and crews, for juggling schedules to fit the demands of a long and rigorous rehearsal schedule. By doing so perhaps you have made this your child’s “Favorite Year”.
Dr. Michael A. Piccuirro
