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Musical Revue Kicks Off Fundraising Efforts for Scotland, Opening Knight Players

Student-written show features recognizable songs from musicals, pop and contemporary music.

Summer isn't typically the time to take in an Opening Knight Players show, but the cast and crew are hoping for a sell-out crowd on Sunday to kick-start fundraising efforts for a trip to Scotland and to raise money for 's theater department.

The musical revue, set to be performed at 7 p.m. in the Gordon C. Getchell auditorium, was written by junior Kristyn Stauffer, who usually works behind the scenes as a stage manager. But for this show, Stauffer will debut her singing skills for the first time onstage.

Besides singing and writing the script, Stauffer is co-directing the show with newly-minted EHS graduate and OKP alum, Rachel Ballasy.

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“The theme was to revolve around relationships – family, friendships, romances, crushes – that was our main idea, then we found songs to go with [each relationship],” said Ballasy. “People chose what songs they wanted to sing and a story was built around them.”

“We [as a group] got together in the last few weeks of June and started throwing songs around,” said Stauffer. “We had 100.”

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The song count was fine-tuned down to 10 to 12 songs, including “Popular,” from the musical “Wicked;” “Somebody to Love,” by Queen; “With a Little Help from my Friends,” by The Beatles; “You've Got a Friend in Me,” by Randy Newman (from the Toy Story movies); “I'll be There for You,” by The Rembrandts (the theme song from “Friends”); and a song from the band formerly known as Renata out of Enfield, The Last Goodnight, “Pictures of You.” 

Then Stauffer got to writing the script for the untitled show, which centers around the 15-member cast and a fictional shopping mall.

“It didn't take long to write the dialogue,” said Stauffer. “When inspiration comes to me, I write fast.”

For the past two weeks, the cast and crew – made smaller by summer obligations like vacations, summer camps and sports tournaments  – has been rehearsing the show's numbers every day.

“We have a lot of people singing for the first time,” said Ballasy.

“And we found some untapped talent,” added Stauffer.

The show will be performed in an intimate setting with a small ensemble cast – in a cabaret-style set-up on the EHS stage – with seating for 150 people. Tickets are $10 each, and can be reserved by calling Alma at 860-716-3197. Tickets might be available at the door, but with the limited number of seats available, it is suggested you call ahead.

The musical revue is the first of many fundraisers planned for an upcoming trip to Scotland for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. OKP members will perform in the world’s largest and most prestigious arts festival as part of the American High School Theatre Festival (AHSTF) in August 2012.

English teacher and OKP advisor William Prenetta said at least 25 students plan to attend and the cost currently stands at $60,000. Now is the time to start fundraising to off-set costs.

“Two-thousand theater companies come to Scotland every August for three weeks,” said Prenetta, who said the group will first travel to London to get used to the time change and spend three days there, visiting places such as Stratford-on-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Then they will travel to Scotland by train and spend 10 days there, performing four times in Scotland theaters.

Long recognized for their entertaining and innovative productions, OKP was selected by the AHSTF Board of Advisors to represent the United States as part of the 2012 AHSTF program. The board reviews all completed applications and recommendations. Less than five percent of nominated schools are selected to participate.

“I'm very excited – I don't know what to expect, not at all” said Stauffer. “Even the plane – I've never been on a plane.”

“I'm so excited for them,” said Ballasy.

“It's a great place for creative expression,” said Prenetta. “A ton of material comes out of there,” he said, noting Oscar Award-winning “The King's Speech” started out as a play at the Fringe Festival.

But fundraising efforts will not only go towards the trip – with each fundraising event planned, half of the proceeds will go to the Scotland trip and half to OKP.

Among the fundraisers this year:

  • The Great High School Whodunit: A Murder Mystery – Sept. 16-17, 7 p.m., EHS Auditorium. Tickets are $10 per person. Tickets include a clue hunt and dessert.
  • Battle of the Bands – Sept. 30, 7 p.m., EHS Auditorium. Tickets are $8 per person. Young and talented local artists will vie for the “Top Band.”
  • Faculty Variety Show – Oct. 14, 7 p.m.,  EHS Auditorium. Tickets are $8 per person. A can't-miss night of awe and laughter. Wonder what hidden talent the local teachers have? You'll be surprised by the abundance of talent!
  • Almost Maine – Nov. 3-5, 7:30 p.m., EHS Auditorium. Tickets are $8 general admission, $6 for students and senior citizens. A show about the mythical town of Almost, Maine, during a cold winter night, the residents fall in and out of love in hilarious ways.
  • Alumni Drama/Music Extravaganza – Nov. 26, 7 p.m., EHS Auditorium. Tickets are $15 general admission, $10 for students and seniors. Have you seen the OKP shows over the last 21 years? Do you remember some of their most intriguing and entertaining moments. Experts of many of the past shows will be presented, showcasing many of the original cast members. In addition, local musical talent, both choral and instrumental, will perform. The show promises to make you reminisce with joy.

If you can't attend Sunday's performance or any of the scheduled events, contributions and donations are always welcome. Checks can be made out to EHS Activity Fund, noting OKP Scotland in the memo area, and mailed to Ellington High School, Attn: Mr. William Prenetta, 37 Maple Street, Ellington, CT 06029. A tax-deductible donation letter will be returned by mail, provided proper name and address information is included.

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