HUDSON COUNTY – High Tech Musical Theatre, the award-winning Teen Theatre based out of High Tech High School at Hudson County Schools of Technology, will celebrate their 15th anniversary with performances commemorating the 40th Anniversary of ‘A Chorus Line.’ Students have been preparing for their May 14-17 performances in New Jersey, then will embark at another run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this August at The Space Theatre in Edinburgh. The cast consists of junior and senior musical theatre majors in the program, which accepts students from throughout Hudson County.
Earlier this year, Broadway stars gathered for a ‘Broadway Love’ concert to help raise money for the Scotland trip. The event raised about $6,000, but they still need more to reach their final goal of $160,000 to take 25 students to the festival. Attending ‘A Chorus Line’ is a great way to help them out, or by donating to their Gofundme page: www.gofundme.com/elcavc.
‘A Chorus Line’ is a musical with music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban, and a book by James Kirkwood, Jr. and Nicholas Dante. The story provides a glimpse into the personalities of the performers and the choreographer as they describe the events that have shaped their lives and their decisions to become dancers.
This marks the 15th year of the High Tech Musical Theatre program, which is currently a part of Paper Mill Playhouse’s “Adopt-A-School” program, bringing artists and workshops from the professional world of theatre to the classroom and allowing the students to develop their craft. Students have been attending all their season shows, visiting behind the scenes, talking with professionals in the industry, and writing critique work with extensive collaboration in writing programs. High Tech Musical Theatre also participates with workshops at Manhattan Theatre Club. This year, they hosted guest artist Heather Parcells from Broadway’s ‘A Chorus Line’ revival to help with the process. Under the direction of Alex Perez and with support from Musical Director Rod Shepard, the program has been widely recognized in New Jersey and on the national level. From 2000 to present, High Tech Musical Theatre received an over 40 Nominations and 13 wins at the New Jersey State Paper Mill Playhouse Awards, including honors for Best Overall Production, Best Director, Best Costumes, Best Makeup, Educational Impact, and Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Featured Performers.
Other accomplishments include a successful Off-Off-Broadway run of the department’s 2003 production ‘Oz, a Twisted Musical’ (which played for six weeks), and representing the U.S. at the Oberhavel Germany Arts Festival in 2001. The work of the department has also been celebrated at the Metro-North Cappies Awards, which recognizes excellence in New Jersey State Theatre, with over 15 nominations and 6 wins in a span of two years.
‘A Chorus Line’ runs May 14th-17th. High Tech High School is at 2000 85th Street, North Bergen. Tickets are available at: www.SHOWTIX4U.com.
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