A Situation That Was Not "Frozen": Update on RENT at THS and A Film Review of FROZEN

First: RENT Update

Board Member Katherine Griffin posted about how Trumbull High School was not allowed to do the planned production of RENT: School Edition that was announced in August. Three weeks after that meeting, we gained the support of 3 of the original cast members of RENT, Eric Whitacre (a famous choral music composer), The National Cotillion Against Censorship and the Larson Family (as in Jonathan Larson). The New York Times, The Washington Post and various blogs were posting updates. On Facebook, the page has over 7,000 likes and support had not stopped. 

On the 16th of December, Principal Guarino called a meeting with the THeSpian Society and stated that he has allowed us to continue production so our show can be when it was scheduled: March 27-30, 2014. This three week delay won't affect the quality of the final presentation, though. All of the students are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure this musical is as fantastic and delivers the messages we are trying to convey. 

RENT: School Edition will be performed March 27-30, 2014 in the THS Theater. Auditions will take place January 3rd and more updates on the show, such as casting and how to become a community sponser are on www.thsmusicals.com

Now onto a hit movie now in theaters: Disney's FROZEN

FROZEN is loosely based off Hans Christian Anderson's story THE SNOW QUEEN. This movie has been nominated for 2 Golden Globe Nominations: Best Original Song for "Let it Go" and Best Animated Film. "Let it Go" deserved that nomination. It is sung by Idina Menzel who is the voice of Elsa. Elsa is an average princess except she has one tiny difference: she can control ice and snow. When she was little, she almost killed someone she cares about because she didn't know how to control it. Elsa locks herself away in her room, fearing that she'll harm anyone again. When it is time for her to become queen, she does well and doesn't let her powers show. When her sister, Anna, angers her, she accidentally releases those hidden powers. She made the kingdom fear her just by accident. When she is escaping, she sets off an eternal winter without meaning to. "Let it Go" is what is going on in her mind and how she is going to live, but not by fearing anyone. She builds herself a castle made of ice and lives there. (Video is below. If you cannot see it, click here)

The animation is beautiful and flawless. The story is about sisterhood and how it is more important than finding "the one". Also, there is a constant idea on "You can't marry someone you just met!" which goes against most Disney movies and I found hilarious. This movie is a movie musical, but the songs are catchy and you'll be singing them after you leave the theater. (The soundtrack is available on CD and ITunes)

This movie not only states that "You can't marry someone you just met", but it also seems that it is the first time true love's kiss did not solve all the world's problems. In addition, this is the first Disney movie to be directed by a woman. 

I loved this movie and I would go see it again in a heartbeat. The critics are correct. This movie stole my heart and it was a beautiful experience. 

The movie has the voice talents of many Broadway stars, such as Idina Menzel (RENT, Wicked) as Elsa, Josh Gad (Book of Mormon) as Olaf, Jonathan Groff (Spring Awakening, Glee) as Kristoff, Santino Fontana (Cinderella) as Hans. Movie and TV Star (who has a theater background) Kristen Bell as Anna. 

PS. If you are going to see this movie, wait until AFTER the credits are over. There is an extra scene.

PPS. That rule is the same if you are seeing a Marvel movie.

~Nathan Clift, 16

Junior at Trumbull High School

VP of the New Paradigm Theatre Youth Board

#justiceforrent: Trumbull High School's Journey

On Monday, November 25, 2013, at 2:30pm, members of Trumbull High School's Thespian Society gathered in their adviser/director/teacher's room for reasons that were unknown. Many of the THeSpians were still coming off their post-show high from the school's fall play, GAME NIGHT. That high, however, would end rather abruptly.

At the start of the meeting, their adviser was the bearer of bad news. The school's principal, Marc Guarino, made the decision to cancel the Spring production of RENT: The School Edition, a watered-down version of the Tony Award-Winning musical by Jonathan Larson..

Guarino arrived at the meeting and was asked many questions such as: "Why?," "Will we ever get to put RENT on?," "Who is responsible for this decision?," and "How can we change your mind?"

To answer the question "why?," Guarino felt that the topics discussed in RENT, such as homosexuality, and HIV/AIDS, were too "sensitive" or "controversial" for the Trumbull Community. As a new principal, he was unfamiliar with how the adults of the town would react with their children performing as drug addicts dying of AIDS. He also took full responsibility in the decision.

After two and a half hours of questioning, the students left with holes in their hearts. It would be the beginning of a long and still-going journey for a group of high school students.

The THeSpians have shown great maturity in publicizing and gathering support for the beloved musical. That night, the THeSPians president, Larissa Mark, took charge and began a Facebook page "Trumbull for Rent." Overnight, this page gained over 3000 likes, including people from other states and countries. On Twitter, "#justiceforrent" started to trend almost immediately after the meeting. Many students reached out to celebrities via Twitter.

On November 26, the students collected 1,516 signatures from fellow students at THS, a majority of the school and over 400 signatures from the adults of Trumbull. "#justiceforrent" was no longer a dream for the THeSpians.

Mark and several other students have appeared on several news station discussing the fight.

On November 27, Guarino announced that he would reconsider the decision. At a Board of Education meeting on December 4, a letter from Guarino, not in attendance, was read. It stated that RENT: The School Edition would not be performed at Trumbull High School for the 2013-2014 school year.

Timothy M. Herbst, the first-selectman of Trumbull, came out with a statement that Friday that he hoped would open up a dialogue between the students, Board of Education, community and Guarino. He explained that an alternative to RENT being put on during the school year would be to have Trumbull Youth Association put on RENT the next summer.

TYA came back to say that it was not a possibility for the group, seeing that it was an all-inclusive program in which anyone in Connecticut ages 13-21 could participate. RENT: The School Edition was geared for students up to age 18. TYA would have to turn away three years-worth of participants.

Many parents and students were in attendance at Board of Education meetings to express their concern. One parent of a THS student, Denise Mather, put many people's feelings into a speech that she delivered at one meeting. "The production of RENT at our high school would do nothing more than promote love, acceptance, tolerance and friendship. HIV, addiction and homosexuality is an everyday occurrence in this town and your schools."

On December 10, after many offers from other theatres to put on the production for the students, including the Goodspeed Opera House, Herbst announced via the radio station, WICC, that he and Mr. Guarino were ready and commited to bringing RENT to the halls of THS this school year.

Everyone rejoiced, but was brought, yet again, an abrupt end, The next day Guarino released a letter saying that the production was to be put on April 30-May 4, instead of the normal show weekend, March 24-30. The reason for this change was so that the school could provide the students and community with workshops and information about the topics addressed in RENT.

The decision to change the date ignored all of the student activities in the coming spring that could conflict with the new dates. Between a choir concert tour of England in early April, AP testing to start promptly on May 5, spring sports and a Bicen competition, the students have full schedules that never were in conflict with the musical before this. Last Wednesday, December 11, many students and parents spoke of their concerns about the date change at a BoE meeting. It would be impossible for many of the students to participate in the musical if the show weekend was changed.

Guarino is due to make a decision before the students leave the school on Friday, December 20, for their winter vacation.

THeSpians at the 2013 Connecticut High School Theatre Musical Awards Gala. They took home four awards for their production "Crazy for You."

Katherine A. Griffin
Sophomore
Trumbull High School

NPT Sunday Spotlight- Christine Dwyer, Renee Lawless and Joe Abraham

For the second Sunday Spotlight of the season, we are very lucky to have three Broadway stars that are in new works!

The Sunday Spotlight is on December 8th and begins at 8pm, so log on before so we can begin on time!

Christine Dwyer is making her Broadway debut as the Elphaba in the long running musical WICKED. She also played the role in the national tour. (For a video of Christine belting out "Defying Gravity", click here!)

Renee Lawless is already a seasoned Broadway performer, and now the star of the Tyler Perry TV show "The Have and Have Nots"!

Joe Abraham is a Broadway performer and now a film pro. He is part of the cast for the motion picture adaption of the Tony Award winning musical, "Jersey Boys". He and his wife are new authors and have a book called "The Thriving Artists"

Click on the link to register! https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6198436682978856193

~The New Paradigm Theater Youth Board