Musicals are to be seen in consequent order of plot, and although seeing musicals in order is ideal, seeing bits and pieces of more than just one might be nice too. Van Nuys High School’s Musical Theater class taught by Ms. Reesa Zagnoli put on a perfect example of this!
On Friday, May 16, the Musical Theater class, directed by Ms. Zagnoli, performed a variety of songs from different musicals. From “Pippin” to “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”, the students performed class numbers, small groups and duets.
Senior Ceanna Marie-Felciano and senior Eva Padilla Vega performed “Sisters” from the movie musical “White Christmas”. They wore blue dresses and had feathered fans to replicate the original song from 1954.
Padilla-Vega is sad to go, but she’ll take this number and the people with her in her heart.
“This was the last time I got to perform with Ceanna in Musical Theater at VNHS and I couldn’t ask for a better way to end my year,” said Vega. “It’s definitely a bittersweet feeling but I’ll always hold the connections I’ve made at this school and in this class. It’s very close to my heart.”
Two other seniors, Julian Pankowski and Emily Chavez performed “What You Mean To Me” from the musical “Finding Neverland”. The two were also the hosts for the night, saying cheeky jokes and puns that made the audience laugh, and simultaneously cringe.
Although the two aren’t in the first period class, this was their way of saying bye to the Van Nuys High School audience and stage. The pair have been a part of the Musical Theater showcase since they were freshmen, so saying goodbye was very bittersweet for them.
The show consisted of class numbers, like “Money” from the musical “Cabaret” and “One Short Day” from “Wicked” and some student-run group numbers like “Skid Row” from “Little Shop of Horrors.”
Senior Xavier Martin-Porter worked alongside senior Madison Thacker and sophomore Ellie Steinberg to put “Skid Row” together.
“Working on Skid Row for the showcase was so much fun,” says Steinberg. “It really opened my eyes to a love of directing and choreographing! Watching the piece come to life was such a cool process to get to work on.”
The showcase was so impressive that the magnet coordinator, Mrs. Fanny Araña, added assemblies for parts of the show to be shown to the school. The assemblies were on Tuesday, May 20 during periods four and five.
The audience seemed to particularly enjoy “Money”, starring senior Deven Martinez.
Audience member junior Lucy Tait particularly enjoyed “Money”, starring senior Deven Martinez, and described it as her personal favorite.
“Money was such a fun number to watch, everyone was having so much fun,” says Tait. “Deven was such a good feature for that song.”
Martinez loves the musical “Cabaret” and being able to play a part for the showcase was so special to them.
“Emcee has been my dream role ever since I’ve discovered ‘Cabaret,’ and getting to share my interpretation of ‘Money’ has been a dream come true.”
Overall, the showcase proved to be a huge success and the hard work of Ms. Zagnoli and her Musical Theater class paid off.
Next year won’t be the same with all the seniors taking their last bow, but the underclassmen will be left with memorable times and a special show to remember them by.
