“ The Drama Club and Honors students attended two Broadway shows last year , which was an incredible experience for them .”
It was Rob who was instrumental in choosing this year ’ s spring musical , “ The Drowsy Chaperone .” He wanted to highlight a large number of the students , since Moon has a wealth of theatrical and musical talent from which to draw . This particular production has an ensemble cast of 10 lead parts and has won five Tony Awards on Broadway .
The students had to audition by singing one song and reciting a monologue . Then they were narrowed down for call-backs . “ The Drowsy Chaperone ” has a great deal of varied roles and calls for a cast that can perform in comedic roles and also dance . Lauren and Shawn acknowledge that their job of casting was made much harder by the wealth of talented actors and performers at Moon .
Plenty of other talented individuals contributed to the stellar performance . “ Adrianne Arena-Jacobs is the most wonderful choreographer ,” says Lauren . “ She owns a local dance studio and has worked in New York and Europe .”
Michelle Nowakowski , an awardwinning professional costumier , also lent her talents to the production . Ryan Miller was the technical director and managed the student-run stage crew . And Michele Proudfit provided the props . Parents and students helped to build and paint the sets , and there was a group of students who were also stage managers in charge of moving scenery and sets .
“ The quality of the shows is so close to a professional show ,” says Lauren . “ These students grow from their freshman to senior year , and even from the beginning of a show to the end . We see them come out of their shell , from being afraid to stand on a stage to delivering a performance with confidence . These are lessons they can carry with them throughout school and on into their careers .”
Shawn agrees . “ It provides a community for the kids . They trust each other and it gives them a space to grow . Rob always said , ‘ We ’ re really lucky to have these kids .’ For him it was always about the kids . They were his life .”
Robert Michael ’ s star will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of the students and faculty of Moon . n
Robert Michael , Musical Director
MOON TOWNSHIP | SUMMER 2024 13