SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK

Uncommon's Young Performer's Group current production is "School House Rock Live! Jr.". Like the classic television series, "Schoolhouse Rock Live! Junior" is a hip, entertaining and educational treat that shows young people that learning can be as much fun as you choose to make it. The show is about Rosalie, a school teacher nervous about her first day of teaching. She tries to relax by watching TV when suddenly, the Schoolhouse Rock bunch appear in her rec room. They proceed to show her how win her students over with imagination and music, through beloved Schoolhouse Rock songs that cover a variety of subjects including math, science, history and grammar. The 23 talented performers in the show are in the first to the sixth grade. The director is Matt Timmons, a long time member of Uncommon Theatre group and a senior at Xaverian Brothers High School. Matt's direction is excellent and his wonderful cast captures the hearts of the audience from start to finish of this magical show. Music direction by Paula Bishop and inventive choreography by Amanda Power adds to the enjoyment of this topnotch entertainment for their appreciative audience which rewards everyone's hard work with a standing ovation at the close of the show.

Matt teaches the kids how to act during the show, choosing the best people for their roles while Paula taught them the tongue twisting lyrics of the songs. Amanda's dances are excellent with all the kids performing each of them splendidly. Rosalie McAvoy (she solos in "Interplanet Janet") plays the teacher who gets a lot of help learning about teaching from the soloists and ensemble. Everyone is involved with each of the 11 numbers. The outstanding soloists include Leila Kutana who sings "A Noun" song and "The Preamble", Alex Fullerton who sings "Three is a Magic Number" and "Just a Bill", Sasha Gardner who sings "Unpack Your Adjectives" and "Interplanet Janet", "Megan Harney who sings "Unpack Your Adjectives", "Melting Pot" and "Interjections", Shannon Leavey and Samantha Vita who sing "Circulation", Maddie Myers who sings "Great American Melting Pot" and "Elbow Room", Elizabeth Riley and Katie Armstrong who sing "Interplanet Janet" and Brendan Lynch who sings "Conjunction Junction" ( dressed in a gold lame bathrobe while strutting around the stage while his 3 backup singers( Leila, Sasha and Megan) dance up a storm) and "Melting Pot") Kudos to the whole ensemble who did a tremendous job singing and dancing in the show, too. So for a trip back to the good old days of Saturday mornings of the past, be sure to catch this splendid version of "Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr.". Tell them Tony sent you.