Student Artists, On Stage or In Exhibit

This weekend, starting tonight, is the premiere for the two big spring musical productions at both and at Bernards High School; "The Secret Garden" at Ridge's Performing Arts Center, and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at the PAC at Bernards High.

Meanwhile, Thursday night was the opening reception for the creations of another group of Ridge artists — the Advanced Placement art studio students at the high school. "Roots, Rocks and Relics" is this year's annual exhibit by the AP class. It will remain at the in Basking Ridge through April 1.

"Every year we do a thematic show here," said Wendell Jeffrey, Ridge AP art teacher. This year's exhibit includes ceramic and glazed interpretations of fossils and drawings on the theme of "Roots, Rocks and Relics."

"The Secret Garden" at Ridge, based on the childrens' novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett follows the tale of 10-year-old Mary Lennox, played by sophomore Angie Cocuzza, who moves from India to England and into her gloomy Uncle Archibald’s (played by senior Nick Siccone) manor. He is heartbroken over the loss of his wife, Mary’s Aunt Lily (played by senior Emma Granowitz) who had left behind a special, magical and very secret garden. The full-scale production will be presented at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Other cast member's includes a young servant who befriends Mary (drama club vice president Briley Condor) and Martha’s mystical little brother Dickon, drama club president Peter Hughes.

With the help of a robin, Mary finds the key to the garden, and her adventures continue on to discover more hidden secretswithin the manor and the maze of gardens. Other characters include Ben Weatherstaff, played by Roman Mak, (drama club secretary), Dr. Neville Craven, played by Alex Wilke (drama club treasurer), Mrs. Medlock, played by Kristin Johnson (drama club historian), Fakhir, played by freshman Sarah Matsushima, Mr. & Mrs. Lennox, played by senior Johnny Graves and sophomore Alex Ursino andAyah, portrayed by senior Kristin Pizzi.  

There were many other Ridge students involved in the production, including stage manager, junior Samantha Bosin; director’s assistant, Megan Woods; production assistant Sarah Evangelista; dance assistant, Jennifer Moore; and costume mistress Charley Randall. 

Tickets are $12 or $16. Reserved seating is available at www.ridgepac.com.

Hundreds of students are involved in Bernards High's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, bringing in students from the Somerset Hills and Bedminster elementary schools and the Bernardsville Middle School. There are even some scheduled "cameos" from people who don't normally get involved with school drama. Showtimes are on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The high school will present the musical parable on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at Bernards High School, 25 Olcott Ave., Bernardsville.

Cast members include Eric Craft of Bernardsville as Joseph, and his brothers, Connor McShane, Christian Torres, Max Littman, Ben Ferrarra, Jake Grimm and Dan Anthony.

The musical panorama includes everything from calypso to country and western. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 forchildren and seniors. To buy tickets, e-mail bhsdramatickets@yahoo.com, or purchase at the box office or at Bernardsville Hardware.