Coláiste Chraobh Abhann

School Musical

2014

Programme

Welcome

Welcome to Coláiste Chraobh Abhann’s eighth annual musical production. This year’s production is ‘GREASE’, a musical about the romance between Sandy Olsen who is a ‘goody two shoes’ from Australia and Danny Zuko who is the head ‘T-Bird’ from Rydell High. Danny and Sandy meet up during the summer holidays and fall in love. But when the summer ends, the two think they'll never see each other again. However they're both wrong. Sandy and her parents have moved to America and she is now attending Danny's High School. Join the students from Coláiste Chraobh Abhann to find out if it's cool for Danny to be in love with a prim and proper girl like Sandy and if, against all odds, they manage to stay together.

Each year the school musical provides our students with the opportunity to develop socially, personally and artistically by joining the cast of the chosen production. Cast members always remember the show as one of the highlights of their school lives and I know they cherish the memories for many years to come. By the time the curtain closes, there will have been new friendships forged and, of course, lots of fun had by all.

I wish to thank the Choreographer Ms Yvonne Prendergast and Musical Director Ms Siobhán Gallagher for their professionalism and dedication in working with the cast over the last few months.

I also wish to extend my gratitude to all staff members who helped out over the last few months. Thanks to Ms Donnelly for all her hard work with her TY team on the publication of the musical programme for tonight’s performance. Our caretaking team of Mr Vincent Hunt and Mr Chris Nugent have the stage sets and props prepared to the highest standards while Mr Conor Kennedy ensures everything runs smoothly behind the scenes and on the stage with the help of his TY team of assistants. Ms Stephanie Egan ensured that attendance at rehearsals was kept at a high level throughout the year with Ms Sophie Kelly ensuring that all performances were ‘SOLD OUT’ by taking charge of tickets sales. Thanks to Ms Margaret McCormack who organised TY students into teams working on a range of activities related to the musical from raffle ticket sales to promotion of the musical.

A special thanks also to the Parents’ Council members who have worked behind the scenes in the lead up to tonight’s performance. The show simply could not have gone on without their support and assistance. In addition, I wish to acknowledge the support of our generous sponsors who are listed at the back of the programme.

Finally, I wish to offer a sincere thanks to The Mermaid Arts Centre and its wonderfully supportive staff for providing the school with such an excellent venue.

Now sit back and enjoy the performance. I know you will leave the theatre after tonight’s performance with many fond memories.

Shane Eivers

Principal

Background

Grease (1978)

During a visit to America, Australian Sandy meets Danny Zuko at the beach and falls in love. She is heartbroken when Summer ends and she has to return home and their last kiss on the beach is a very emotional one. But fate lends a hand - her parents decide to stay in America and she finds herself attending the same school as Danny. But Danny at school is different from Danny at the beach. He is the leader of the T-Birds, a leather clad gang, and has a reputation to keep up. He can't be seen to fall in love with just one chick! Sandy is upset and seeks solace with some new friends she has made - a female gang called The Pink Ladies. But her prim and proper virginal ways do not fit in and she soon finds herself almost alone. A change must be made. Does she attempt to get her man by turning him into a jock? Or must she get rid of her "Sandra Dee" image?

Sandy Olsen is a goody two shoes from Australia, Danny Zuko is the head T-Bird from Rydell High. However when the two meet up during the summer, they fall in love. But when the summer ends, the two think they'll never see each other again. However they're both wrong, Sandy and her parents have moved to America and she is now attending Danny's school. When the two discover that they attend the same school, there is a lot of debate over whether they can still be together since it's uncool for Danny to be in love with a goody goody like Sandy. However the two, against all odds, manage to stay together. Then graduation comes and Sandy is about to change in a way no one expected.

When wholesome good girl Sandy and greaser renegade Danny fall in love over the summer, they never expect to see each other again. But when they both discover that they're now attending the same high school, social differences challenge their romance.

Danny Zuko, leader of the greaser gang "T-Birds" of Rydell High, falls in love with a goody two shoes girl named Sandy Olsen over the summer. They thought she'd be leaving and never see each other again, but to their luck...she begins to attend Rydell High. She is immediately accepted into the group "Pink Ladies" and shortly Danny and her re-meet. Danny has seemed to have changed but in the hopes of winning Sandy back, he changes into the loving, jock Danny Zuko that Sandy met during the summer permanently.

MEET THE CAST

Keith McCormack - Danny

Sixth year student Keith McCormack takes on the starring role of this year’s musical ‘Grease’. Keith has been a member of Roundwood Variety group since he was 9. He most recently played Chad in last year’s musical ‘All Shook Up’ and the Tin Man in ‘The Wiz’. Keith is looking forward to playing this role.

April Nyakudya – Sandy

April is a fifth year student who is known for playing leading roles in previous musicals including ‘All Shook Up’ as Lorraine, ‘Back to the 80’s’ as Mel and ‘Oliver’ as Beth. This year she takes on her most challenging role yet.

Andrew Connaughton – Kenickie

Andy is a fifth year student who is no stranger to the stage as he played Dennis in last year’s musical and also performs in a band. He has been in previous school productions and also the last 3 productions by CCA Players.

Sarah Leech – Rizzo

Sarah is a transition year student. This is Sarah’s first main role in a school production. She is looking forward to taking on the role of Rizzo.

Bella Leone – Frenchy

Bella is a fifth year student. She has been involved in previous musicals including last years ‘All Shook Up’. We look forward to seeing her take on the role of Frenchy.

Cian Gallagher – Roger

Cian is a sixth year student. He has played many roles in the school musicals such as Jim in last year’s ‘All Shook Up’. Last year he performed in a production of ‘Les Misérables’ in Belfast. We look forward to seeing him play Riff in ‘West Side Story’ in July at the Mermaid.

Alannah Bellamy – Jan

Alannah, a current fifth year student, is excited to be taking on this role. She recently starred in ‘All Shook Up’ as Natalie. Alannah has attended the Gaiety School of Acting.

Thomas Brady – Doody

Tom is currently a transition year student. He has featured prominently in previous musicals playing the Scarecrow in ‘The Wiz’. He is also a member of a band with co-stars Cian and Andrew. He will be taking on the role of Chino in ‘West Side Story’ in the summer.

Cormac Gilnagh – Sonny

Cormac is a second year student. This is his first appearance in a school musical but he took on a role in last year’s CCA Players production of ‘Burke and Hare’. Cormac also attends drama classes in Greystones.

Carrie Thorpe – Marty

Carrie is a fifth year student who joined the school last year. This is her second year in the musical, although she has been involved in other musicals outside of the school.

Evan Bruton – Eugene

Evan is a transition year student. This is his first time in the school musical. He is very musical and is a member of a band with some of his fellow students. We wish him luck taking on the hilarious role of Eugene.

Erika Bellamy – Patty

This is Erika’s first year in the school and first ever musical. She is a keen sportswoman and is eagerly awaiting her debut performance as Patty.

Cillian Molloy – Teen Angel

Cillian is currently a fifth year student. He is a very talented musician and cake genius. Cillian takes on the difficult role of Teen Angel in this year’s show. We wish him all the best.

Conor Eivers – Vince Fontaine

Conor is a fifth year student. He has taken part in many school productions. He is also interested in music and can play various instruments including piano and recorder.

Katie Coleman – Cha Cha

Katie is a fifth year students. She has taken part in many school musicals and is also a member of Roundwood Variety Group.

Scott Cummins – Johnny Casino

Scott plays Johnny Casino in this year’s musical. He has been involved in previous school musicals including playing the starring role in ‘Oliver’ in his first year at CCA

Isobel O’Grady – Miss Lynch

Currently a fifth year student, Isobel has been in every school musical since she joined the school as a chorus member. We look forward to seeing her take on the serious role of Miss Lynch.

Siobhan Gallagher – Musical Director

This is Siobhan’s seventh show in CCA. She says she loves to work with this school because it’s not just a musical for transition years, it involves all the non-exam years. That’s what doing the school musical is all about….developing confidence in young people and helping them make friendships across the class years not just with their own peer group. She wishes the entire cast the best of luck.

Yvonne Prendergast – Choreographer

This is Yvonne’s seventh musical with the students of CCA. Even though it might not appear that way, she can assure you that she ‘loves her job’. The cast have worked very hard and she is very proud of them. She wishes them all the best for this year’s show.

Credits

Musical Director Siobhán Gallagher

Choreographer Yvonne Prendergast

Costumes Parents Council

Programme Sarah Donnelly

Ty Students

Lighting Design Darren Kelleher

Sound Eoin O’Grady

Stage Construction Chris Nugent

Vincent Hunt

Conor Kennedy

Stage Management Conor Kennedy

Videographer Paul Gouldsbury

Hair And Makeup Nikita Vecchio

Emma Prendergast

Ty Students

Stage Design/Art/Props Chris Nugent

Vincent Hunt

Ty Students

ACTS

Act 1 o Alma Mater

o Alma Mater Parody

o Summer Nights

o Those Magic Changes

o Freddy, My Love

o Greased Lightnin’

o Mooning

o Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee

o We Go Together

Act 2 o Shakin’ at the High School Hop

o It’s Raining on Prom Night

o Shakin’ at the High School Hop Reprise

o Born to Hand Jive

o Beauty School Dropout

o Alone at a Drive-In Movie

o Rock ‘N’ Roll Party Queen

o There Are Worse Things I Could Do

o Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee

o All Choked Up

o We Go Together (Finale)

Gr

ea

se

20

14

Cast Signatures

Sponsors

Coláiste Chraobh Abhann is extremely grateful to the support we get from local businesses in our community who contribute to making the musical possible.

Production kindly sponsored by:

Treetops Daycare & Afterschool Club

Freddie Hamilton Wholesale

Spot Prizes kindly sponsored by:

Creative Touch Hair Salon Kilcoole

McSherry’s Pharmacy Kilcoole

Bella’s Bubbles Kilcoole

Tesco Express Kilcoole

The Bread Basket Kilcoole

Envy Hair & Beauty Kilcoole

Reflections Hair & Beauty Kilcoole

Freddie Hamilton Wholesale Kilcoole

Trident Holiday Homes Kilcoole

Centra Supermarket Kilcoole

Nicky’s Vegetable Shop Kilcoole

Dunnes Stores Newtownmountkennedy

Parkview Hotel Newtownmountkennedy

John Synnott Butchers Newtownmountkennedy

Evo Hair Studio Newtownmountkennedy

Sam Mar Beauty Bar Newtownmountkennedy

Poppie’s Hair & Beauty Salon Newcastle

Quick Stop Garage Newcastle

Brooke & Shoals Greystones

Supervalu Greystones

Des Doyle Family Butchers Greystones

Timeline O

Past Musicals

2007

Joseph

2008

The Boyfriend

2009

Annie

2010

Back To The 80s

2011

Oliver

2012

The Wiz

2013

All Shook Up

2014

Grease