"Let There Be"... A Theater Organization in trouble?

When a sports team gets cancelled, there are riots in the streets(maybe not that, but parents complain, many meetings happen and then the sports team gets rebooted). However, it seems like the arts are the first things to be cut out of society these days. It is terrible (considering how the ancient Greeks would create plays to welcome the god Dionysus, and you can read more here) and it affects many people. It seems that Trumbull (home town of the famous "Justice for RENT" movement in 2013) faces yet another issue.

TYA (Trumbull Youth Association) has performed an annual summer musical for 45 years. This year, the production staff chose to perform the Stephen Schwartz musical, CHILDREN OF EDEN. The show is loosely based off of the book of Genisus and brings out the themes of love, second chances, responsibilities, and so many more themes and messages. However, could this be the last summer musical for TYA?

The cast of Children of Eden during "The Return of the Animals" Scene in Act Two

About a half hour before the first Sunday show of CHILDREN OF EDEN, one of the producers informed the cast that ticket sales are not doing well. If they do not improve, there may not be a show for 2015.

The fact that the musical has never been performed on Broadway does seem to have some impact on it. Other community theaters are performing Shrek and Les Miserables, so why would they see a "biblical show"?

IT'S NOT!

Yes, the story in Act One is Adam, Eve, Cain and Abel. Yes, Act Two is the story of Noah and the Flood. Yes, there is God. However, these are simply stories. Stories that Stephen Schwartz felt can be placed into a musical setting. Every musical can have a message. This one is perfectly summed up in the final song of the show, "In The Beginning" with the lyrics: "Our hands can choose to drop the knife. Our hearts can choose to stop the hating... And pray we're wiser than we were in the beginning.".

Overall, isn't that what theater means? Doesn't it reflect life? With everything that has happened these past few years, this show just highlights exactly what humanity needed to do to be perfect. It also shows that even when this world was made, people were made and even God made mistakes. Sure, it doesn't have someone who is a big green ogre that learns to love, or a bunch of school boys trying to save France. It isn't the most popular show, but it 100% is a brilliant show.

The arts might not mean much to the average American, but there are many theater kids being denied the right to express. If Trumbull losses TYA, I don't know what to do. This organization has become close and dear to my heart over the 5 years I have been a part of it. I do not want to see what will happen if this nightmare becomes a reality.

To go to the official Facebook page, click here
To buy tickets to TYA's Children of Eden (3 shows left), click here

-Nathan Clift
17 Year Old, Incoming Senior at Trumbull High School
President of the NPT Youth Board

68th Annual Tony Awards!

What a night of celebrating theater! Host Hugh Jackman brought a new life to the Tony Awards this year. He could barely contain his excitement, with all of the bouncing for 4 minutes straight through. Seriosuly, do professional Broadway performers just learn to not need air as they are performing? I will never know. Anyways, back to the Tony Awards. The winners are:

Best Performance By a Featured Actor in a Play: Mark Rylance in TWELFTH NIGHT
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical: Lena Hall in HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH
Sound Design of a Play: LADY DAY
Sound Design of a Musical: BEAUTIFUL
Direction of a Musical: Darko Tresnjak for GENTLEMEN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER
Direction of a Play: Kenny Leon for A RAISIN IN THE SUN
Best Featured Actor in a Musical: James Monroe Iglehark in ALADDIN
Scenic Design of a Musical: ROCKY
Scenic Design of a Play: ACT ONE
Best Leading Actress in a Play: Audra McDonald in LADY DAY
Best Leading Actor in a Play: Bryan Cranston in ALL THE WAY
Best Play: ALL THE WAY
Best Book of a Musical: GENTLEMEN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER
Best Score: BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY
Best Revival of a Play: A RAISIN IN THE SUN
Best Choreography: AFTER MIDNIGHT
Best Orchestrations: BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY
Best Leading Actor in a Musical: Neil Patrick Harris
Outstanding Costume Design in a Play: TWELFTH NIGHT
Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical: GENTLEMEN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER
Best Revival of a Musical: HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH
Best Lighting Design of a Musical: HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH
Best Lighting Design of a Play: THE GLASS MENAGERIE
Best Leading Actress in a Musical: Jessie Muller for BEAUTIFUL
Best Musical: GENTLEMEN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER

Congrats to all of the winners and nominees.

And now... my review of the performances:

After Midnight: Great opening to the show. It had jazz, tap, energy, spirit, and all of the makings to a great show on Broadway.
Les Miserables: Began strong, got weak in the middle, but picked up in the cannon bit before "Tomorrow we'll discover". Had high hopes, and they almost reached it.
Aladdin: Exceeded any standards I gave it. Well done, and made me smile all the way through. It is going to be a classic for years to come.
If/Then: As the only original musical this season, I wanted it to be nominated for Best Musical. However, the music is powerful and Idina Menzel nearly tore the place down with her earth shattering belt. Brava!
Rocky: It seemed we saw the last bit of the show. I was amazed by the fight scene and wonder how they pulled off the fake blood, but I wanted to hear more of the music.
Cabaret: Just how I thought it would be: Amazing and classic.
Gentlemen's Guide: Funny, vocally impressive, and a classic for years to come. Looks incredible!
Hedwig and the Angry Inch: Neil gave a powerhouse performance that brought the house down. Well done!
Violet: The music was lovely, and Sutton's voice gave it that magical quality needed.
Wicked: We last saw Christine Dwyer as the Elphaba standby on a Sunday Spotlight. She is currently playing the role on Broadway. I saw her on Friday and she brought me to tears with "For Good". Extremely moving performance. To 10 more years!
Beautiful: One word can describe it: Beautiful (no pun intended)
Bullets Over Broadway: Male roles that sing, act and tap dance PLUS the 1920s? Can I be in this show? It looks well put together. Great job.

Winner of Best Musical and Other Awards

Special Shoutouts:
"The Music Man updated": Music Man has beautiful music, but it isn't one of my favorite shows, yet it isn't the worst show I have seen. One question: why did they add in hip hop? I didn't like it, and I was shocked. Some things belong in their respective decades. I mean, it would be like "Anything Goes" but adding in bass drops and drums and I don't see it. Just me? I know we have to try things to get people to go to Broadway, but I wasn't happy. It's... I don't even know

Sting performing "The Last Ship": I didn't know if I would like the music, but I fell in love with that song. It has so much meaning and I know others will connect to it.

Finding Neverland: I have a feeling the show will be great, but I couldn't watch it. I forgot to record overtime when I recorded the Tony Awards and I missed the last 20 minutes of the show. I was too busy freaking out. Sorry, but from what I heard it sounded pretty good.

To Audra McDonald: For a record breaking 6th Tony Award! Incredible! Your speech nearly brought me to tears.

To all reading this: BREAKALEG at whatever art you do!
-Nathan Clift
VP of the NPT Youth Board
17, Trumbull High School

Bullets Over Broadway: A New Classic at the St. James Theatre

About a week ago, a few future Musical Theatre majors at Rider University (myself included) went to see Bullets Over Broadway, a new stage version of the 1994 Woody Allen movie. This production was directed and choreographed by the immensely talented Susan Stroman, and the starring role was played by TV star Zach Braff (Scrubs, Chicken Little, Oz: The Great and Powerful). The show had received 6 Tony Nominations, but I was still a little skeptical about Film/TV stars in Broadway shows (*cough cough Godspell/In The Heights cough Corbin Bleu cough*), and after performing Guys and Dolls at my high school the previous year, I was not overjoyed about another gangster musical.

Bullets Over Broadway depicts a mob leader and his untalented actress floozy girlfriend, as he watches her perform at a nightclub for the umpteenth time. He'll do anything to please her, and when he spots a struggling playwright (Zach Braff) has written a new work, he jumps on the chance to make his dame a star. He offers to produce the whole thing, if he can give his girlfriend the spotlight. Braff extends his search to well-known actors throughout Manhattan, and eventually gets his play up-and-running. Only one thing stands in his way: Olive's bodyguard, Cheech, keeps opening his mouth and making suggestions. The worst part is, they're pretty good ideas. Slowly, Cheech takes over more and more of the script, eventually editing the work into glory.

My criticism of the production stopped when the overture began. The music was unique to the show, but presented a clear reflection of the Roaring 20s. The choreography had Susan Stroman written all over it, with big tap numbers and gangsters performing the second coming of Crapshooter's Ballet. Zach Braff was a hilarious leading man, with a darn good voice to boot. Cheech, played by Nick Cordero, was the true star however, with great vocals, great dancing and great comedic timing, and it was no wonder he has a Tony nomination for the part.

Overall, I was very impressed with the stage adaptation of Woody Allen's 1994 film. It was entirely deserving of the 6 Tony nominations it received, and I hope it continues to have a successful run.

Matt Sweeney, 17
Stamford High
President, NPT Youth Board

You Can't Stop The Beat: Why It's Okay That Broadway is Changing

A couple days ago, I saw that Ken Davenport (Broadway Producer of KINKY BOOTS and others) posted this article (Basically, Clive Davis gives reasoning why he's producing a MY FAIR LADY revival). Within that article, Ken Davenport states that he feels that Clive doesn't know what he is saying (that no great songs have been created since the Oklahoma days).

I understand that everyone's opinion belongs to them, but I agree. Broadway, like any other art, has changed to fit the new generations. If you listen to music from Cole Porter's Anything Goes and then listen to music from Stephen Sondiem's Into the Woods, they sound different, regardless that the songs were made 50 years apart. The same thing goes if you listen to music from Sound of Music to Sister Act, or Little Mermaid to Frozen. Why? The audience is changing.

When RENT came about, it was different than every musical out there. I am willing to say that it was one of the first musicals that shaped Broadway to what it is today.
Why?
Jonathan Larson must have known that by bringing LA BOHEME to Broadway would have sucked: This is the time of rock and roll, pop music, belty sounds. No one would go see an operatic piece of theater. It would be boring.
He had to update it.

And it worked.

You walk down Broadway and you see various types of musicals (Lion King- Disney/ African influence, Kinky Boots- Rock, Phantom- classical w/ operatic influence, Hedwig and the Angry Itch- Rock, Cinderella- classic Rodgers and Hammerstien, Once- Folk sound, etc). If you want to know why shows like these work, all you need to do is listen to today's music:
Mumford and Sons- Folk sound in some songs
One Direction- Pop
Fun. - Rock/ Pop

So why can't theater change if music is changing? I'm sure that we would have more Oklahoma style shows if we heard classical music on the radio.

So I now bring you to musicals of today:
There are a lot more musicals created this year and that means more nominees for the Tony Awards.
One of the musicals that has had the MOST mixed reviews was IF/THEN.

Members of the cast of IF/THEN

IF/THEN follows the story of Elizabeth (Idina Menzel), and her life if she decides to go by Beth or Liz (I think those are the two). The musical has been called hard to follow (I wouldn't know, I have yet to see it). From what I heard of the music, it is great! Idina Menzel is great, and I don't know why it is getting so many mixed reviews. Then I read an article that compared it to another great show: Company

DVD of the Broadway Revival of Company (Which the NPT's Kristin Huffman played Sarah in)

Both shows follow the lives of one person and their friends. But that is where the similarities kind of end. But this article basically said to not give up on the musical IF/THEN, because Company (which was different for its time) was called the same thing: confusing to follow.
_______________________________________________________________________

So, what point am I trying to make?

Theater is an art. Art changes depending on the audience. That is apparent in every style: dance, song, theater, paintings, etc. So it isn't new that theater is changing.

Also, good luck to all those on Broadway! Tony Nominations get announced on Tuesday! Can't wait!

-Nathan Clift
16 years old
VP of the NPT Youth Board.

PS. This is the 50th Blog Post for BREAKALEG.

Painting Broadway Blue

This past weekend I had the privilege of seeing Blue Man Group in New York City at the Astor Place Theatre. My first impression was one of curiosity because of the size of the theatre on Lafayette Street. The auditorium seemed to barely fit 800 people. When I took my seat in the second row of the mezzanine, I realized that what the theatre was was not small, but intimate. Boy, was I in for such a treat.

The show began with a series of shout outs to people in the audience. We all joined in an ill-tuned speaking of “Happy Birthday” to someone named Anne, a congratulations to a Bronze-medal Olympic diver and a friendly welcome to an average man named Richard who was so conveniently sitting in the seat in front of me. I enjoyed the back of your head, Richard.

Once the house lights were lowered, excitement bubbled up inside me. A projection of a silhouetted blue man playing drums was the first glimpse of the show we got. Eventually, the projection revealed two more silhouettes and we were head first into the performance.

As the show progressed, many topics of today were made into sketches: the ever-expanding size of iPhones and tablets, the plumbing under our houses and the now technologically-obsessed youth.

My favorite aspect of the show is that it calls for audience participation. Rather than sitting through a six-hour, three-intermission opera at the Met, Blue Man Group actually makes the audience the focal point of a good majority of the show by climbing over their heads, feeding them Twinkies and painting with them. The audience is so much a part of the show that during curtain call, where normally the performers gesture towards the lighting booth, band and any other stagehand in the general area, the three blue men gestured towards the audience, not as thanks, but as recognition.

Speaking of lighting and music, both were jaw-droppers. The band was so precise and engaging that sometimes I found myself staring at the red-glow of drumsticks rather than the shenanigans onstage. The lighting was fabulous, but is not for everyone. Strobe lights and spotlights danced around the tiny theatre, making you feel like you were in disco ball.

Though these two aspects of the show were flashy and enticing, you never lost interest in the main act. The blue men that danced around stage were expressionless in the face, but were so incredible in moving their eyes and body that they captivated every corner of the auditorium and filled it with laughter.

There was never a moment that I found dull nor childish, even though the toddler in the row behind me laughed his face off the whole time. Blue Man Group is tasteful and fun for the whole family.

If ever in a situation where you can see the Blue Man Group, I highly recommend it. They have numerous locations including NYC, Boston, Los Angeles and several cruise lines. This is a show for people of all ages, shapes, sizes and colors (especially the blue-skinned)!



Katherine Griffin
NPT Youth Board Member
Trumbull High School '16

May Day Carnivale!

Dear NPT supporter! 

The New Paradigm Theatre Company (NPT) is proud to invite you to A May Day Carnivàle! Join us for a fantastic party and mingle with our special guest stars from Broadway, Film and Television.  One of our "Silent" auction items is a chance to bid to sing with our Broadway pros ON STAGE that night.  

There will be models in beautiful Carnivale makeup and clothes as well as plenty of stars to rub elbows with. And the Paparazzi will be going wild.  Please see the link below to register for tickets and support the mentoring outreach of NPT. 
See our poster below and click here to order your tickets: http://www.nptheatre.org/nptevents/carnivale/

Flyer created by the Youth Board's Shaina

-The New Paradigm Theatre Youth Board

Measure in Love: How RENT Is More Than A Show

On Saturday, I attended a concert with a family friend. She was having fun, but I was too busy getting my ears blasted with 10 screeching teenage girls behind me. At one point in the concert, a woman took off her bra and flung it onto the stage. Now I have only been to one concert before (FUN.), and I had fun (no pun intended). There was no bra flinging, drunk people, etc. It was just an arena full of people that loved the music.
Now going back to the concert on Saturday.
I was... confused. There were many families with young kids there. Those young kids saw a woman throw her bra onto the stage. There were ear shattering screams. So why is theatre different?
As the incident occurred, a thought popped into my head: why did Trumbull High's production of RENT need to be cancelled?

Commercial #1 for RENT: School Edition (if you are seeing this via email, click here!)

As a refresher, Trumbull High faced issues with RENT 2 days after the fall production of GAME NIGHT. The principal cancelled the production of RENT: School Edition due to controversial themes. Due to the leadership of Senior student and THeSpian Society President, Larissa Mark (who is being awarded the first ever Dramatist Legal Defense Fund's Defender Award at The Dramatists Guild of America Annual Award Gala on Feb. 24, 2014) organized a peaceful response to get RENT back on track, which has happened. I'll get to that in a bit.

As stated, RENT has controversial themes that are present even in the School Edition, such as homosexuality, AIDS, drug use and others. How can that be bad, but someone throwing their undergarments onto a concert stage not be?

During the 1980s, when the AIDS epidemic began, it was a horrid time. THS Musical Director Jerold Goldstien talks about what it was like to be an actor in New York City during this time. Choreographer Frank Root has even mentioned his struggles as an actor in New York and trying to make rent.

Staging LA VIE BOHEME

The show even was true to those who portrayed the characters on Broadway and even the composer Jonathan Larson. Though he never lived to see RENT's opening night, he left his message of "No Day But Today" loud and clear. Larson had many friends that were fighting HIV/ AIDS and was a struggling artist. The show touched millions during its 12 year Broadway run, many who are part of the show at THS, and those that understand what it is like to be hurt, depressed, and struggling for acceptance.

RENT: School Edition will be playing at Trumbull High School March 27-30, 2014. Tickets available on thsmusicals.com

Once again, email viewers click here, this is Commercial #2 for RENT

The Eight Leads in this production are as followed:
Mark Cohen- Michael Ell
Roger Davis- Zac Gotschall
Tom Collins- Michael Lepore
Angel Schunard- Matt Buckwald
Benjamin Coffin- Dan Satter
Mimi Marquez- Ava Gallo
Maureen Johnson- Emily Ruchalski
Joanne Jefferson- Casey Walsh

There are featured roles within the ensemble, such as Life Support Group, Seasons of Love Soloists, Homeless, Drug Addicts, etc. 

I can guarantee you that this is a show that will stay with you for a long time. 
___________________________________________________________

Also, our next Sunday Spotlight is March 2nd at 9pm. It will be with Deidre Goodwin (Broadway Veteren, Dancer, and one of the Cell Block Tango Dancers from the film adaption of CHICAGO). To register, here is the link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6242944915769847298

-Nathan Clift
16 Year Old Junior Student at Trumbull High School
Vice President of the New Paradigm Theatre Youth Board

Sunday Spotlight on March 2nd

Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6242944915769847298

Join The New Paradigm Theatre Company for Sunday Spotlight (c) .  The FREE virtual master class that features stars from Broadway and Film giving you advice and answering your questions.   

March 2nd, 9pm guest is Broadway Dancer: DEIDRE GOODWIN

http://www.broadwaywarmup.com/about-us/

The broadwaywarmup.com link will take you to her bio. 

She was in the film CHICAGO and played the "He ran into my knife ten times" cell block tango woman. She also has starred in various broadway shows such as A CHORUS LINE.

To register for this event, click on the first link to do so.

Hope to see you all there!

Super Bowl XLVIII Halftime Show: Bruno Mars Takes The Stage

Throughout America, football is a pastime like no other. It brings families together, creates rivalries, and adds competition to the lives of many. So it is no surprise the Super Bowl is one of the most anticipated events all year. That being said, the Super Bowl Halftime Show is as equally waited for, discussed, and admired as the game itself.

I jumped out of my seat when I heard Bruno Mars was going to be performing. I'm sure many others did too. Bruno Mars has become an acclaimed songwritewr over these past few years, and his music varies from sad love songs like "It Will Rain" to joyful, upbeat ones such as "Locked Out of Heaven" even to regular, lax songs about life like "The Lazy Song".

Bruno Mars has won several awards since 2010, one of which includes a Grammy for his song "Just The Way You Are" in 2011. He has been nominated for many awards, including Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance, and Best Pop Vocal Album in The 2014 Grammy's.

I personally like Bruno Mar's music because it is real, filled with emotion, and able to relate to. His songs include the struggles many of us face in our daily lives, and he expresses, through song, how he feels them too, so we can relate to him and feel better knowing there are other people out there that feel the same way as we do. Also, he has an large range of notes and a beautiful tone to his voice.

We as an audience are unsure yet of what he will be performing, although there are many songs he can choose from, and whichever ones he picks, I'm sure America will love to see them performed live at the Super Bowl. Another interesting thing to think about is how he will appear, or what else he will decided to put in to increase his performance. None of us may know until Sunday night, February 2nd. I'll be tuned in, so you should too!

Dominic Pagliaro, 15
Sophomore at Notre Dame High School, West Haven

Hairspray: Big musical, Big comedy, BIG HAIR!

Hairspray tells the story of Tracy Turnblad, an overweight teen of the 60's and her best friend, the ever so dorky Penny Pingleton. Penny and Tracy have an unhealthy obsession over the Corny Collins Show, and the dreamy Link Larkin, a teen boy who dances on the show. When one of the stars takes a break, Tracy is added on to the show with the help of her new African-American friend Seaweed, and her dream has finally come true. Tracy and her friends decide it's unfair that the black kids can only dance on TV once a month. They all take a stand and do whatever it takes to integrate the television show...without denting their 'dos!

Over the past few months, I have been lucky enough to participate in the perfect show as a perfect role; Penny Pingleton. I have dreamed of playing Penny ever since I was young, and I couldn't imagine a more perfect place to play it other than Lighthouse Youth Theatre in Armonk, New York. The cast is made up entirely of teens ranging from eighth grade to seniors in high school. Hairspray is a high energy fast moving musical, you'll find yourself dancing in your seat!

Hairspray will be performed on...

January 10th at 7:30 and 11th at 2:00 and 7:30

January 17th at 7:30 and 18th at 2:00 and 7:30 for the senior cast (which I am a part of).

click here to purchase tickets for the show!

(Buy tickets for the blue senior cast if you want to see me as Penny Pingleton!)

This is a show you do not want to miss!

-Shay LaRusso, 16

Junior at Norwalk High School 

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