Courtesy photo / The Man in the Yellow Suit, played by Brianna Clossin, leads a musical piece during rehearsal for Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School’s presentation of “Tuck Everlasting.”

From Mirror staff reports

“Tuck Everlasting,” a fun, folksy musical, will be staged by Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School students who have spent months pulling the show together, director Gabriella Petrarca said.

The show features 11-year-old Winnie Foster, portrayed by Kaitlyn Link, who yearns for a life of adventure beyond her white picket fence. But it’s not until she becomes unexpectedly entwined with the Tuck Family does she get more than she could have imagined. When Winnie learns of the magic behind the Tucks’ immortality, she must fight to protect their secret from those who would do anything for a chance at eternal life. As her adventure unfolds, Winnie faces an extraordinary choice: return to her life, or continue with the Tucks on their infinite journey.

Petrarca said the students have been enjoying preparing the impressive and unique musical score by Chris Miller and said they’ve been challenged by the production process.

“They feel as though they have grown a lot as performers,” Petrarca said, noting multiple professional working actors/music directors have been able to sit in on rehearsals and offer their wisdom and suggestions.

“Their feedback has certainly helped to enhance our performance,” she said.

“On the technical side of things, our student stage managers, Jack Byrne and Holly Butler, have taken on massive projects such as managing and organizing the set and stage crew.”

Petrarca “has done such a splendid job engaging the students in the drama club,” said Betsy Lehman, who assisted with advertising and is the mother of Lauren Lehman, one of the students in the show.

Lehman credits Petrarca, in her first year at Bishop Guilfoyle, for bringing “a fresh new perspective to the performance. Petrarca, she said, “enhanced the student experience with her vision and by tapping into her talented connections that have helped to coach and direct the students to improve their confidence and performance.”

Petrarca, in her Director’s Note in the playbill, said she was drawn to “Tuck Everlasting” for its ability to embrace the diverse talent within the school’s new unified grades. “As we transitioned to a shared middle and high school building, I saw an opportunity to showcase the richness of our combined student body through a production that would challenge and inspire us all.”

She said throughout the rehearsal process, she has been impressed by the dedication and determination of the students.

Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 22, and Saturday, March 23, at the historic Mishler Theatre.

Tickets are available at mishlertheatre.org or by calling 814-944-9434. Tickets online are $17 for adults and $12 for students. Online orders will be charged a $2 transaction fee.

Cast

Mae Tuck played by Leah Byrne; Angus Tuck, JJ Colombo; Miles Tuck, Trenton Wandersee; Jesse Tuck, Bianca Melgar; Man in the Yellow Suit, Brianna Clossin; Hugo, Aiden Kent; Constable Joe, Elle Wilson; Winnie Foster, Kaitlyn Link; Betsy Foster, Carolyn Maguda; Nana Foster, Lily Weakland; Carny at the fair, Elle Biesinger.

Maids of the Foster household: Emma Haraburda, Estella Koch, Emily Koller and Lauren Lehman.

Toad is played by Andrew Link. The ensemble includes: John Bickford, Vivienne Compton, Timothy Clossin, Nora Dangler, Nina Gingrich, Gracie Husted, Emma Haraburder, Estella Koch, Emily Koller, Lauren Lehman, Ember McConnell, Karigan Musselman and Aidan Schurr.

The dance ensemble includes Camryn Colledge, Nina Gingrich, Emma Haraburda, Aidan Kent, Emily Koller, Ember McConnell, McKenna Slep and Grace Ventura.

Crew

Gabriella Petrarca is the director/music director with Sabin Fisher as the assistant music director/rehearsal accompanist.

Set design is by Tori Byrne and Davey Beyer; props master, Tori Byrne and Rylee Swander; pit orchestra director, Bethany Danella; costumes, Jen Butler and Regina Biesinger; choreographer, Rebecca Culp; student choreographer, Nina Gingrich; sound board operator/technician, C’Jay Castello; lighting design/board operator, Alice Oswald; hair/makeup crew, Jennie Merilli and Lily Pearl Koelle; set construction, Mark Halerz; spotlight operators, Emily Miller and Ally Nyanko; stage manager, Holly Butler and Jack Byrne.

The set/painting crew includes Leo Dangler, Noah Kelleher, Andrew Link, Jennie Merilli, Carlee McConnell, Marklin Myers, Rylee Swander, Corinne Wesner, Julia Wesner and Mary Zhang.

Orchestra

The pit orchestra is under director Bethany Danella and includes: Eric Foose on keys 1; John McCoy, keys 2; Maddie Walstrom, violin/viola; Diane Albert, cello; Rob Scholl, reed 1; Beth Carpenter, reed 2; Larry Detwiler, trumpet; Jonathan Mountain, guitar; Randy Rutherford, bass guitar; Megan Hall, percussion; Gabe Hayes, drums; instrumentalists, Keyboard Programming by Performance Keyboard Solutions.