Teen Drama to Present LYSISTRATA JONES, 7/30-8/1

Teen Drama, a teen theatre education company, is preparing their production of the critically acclaimed Broadway Musical Lysistrata Jones.

The 6-week musical theater series, designed especially for teenagers began on June 22 and will conclude with performances July 30, 31 and August 1. This year's production is co-sponsored by the West Hudson Arts & Theater Company and all performances will take place at the W.H.A.T. theatre at 65 Oakwood Ave, Kearny, NJ.

The Teen Drama program launched in 2010 to accolades and acclaim from community members, local and state officials, and representatives from the New Jersey State Council of the Arts, and have included productions of such hits as 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Xanadu, Urinetown, Young Frankenstein (Broadway World Best Musical Nomination), and The Addams Family(Broadway World Best Musical Nomination).

"In just a few short weeks a group of high school-aged students put together a full-length musical theatre production, attended classes on theory, and learned to sharpen their talents of acting, dance and singing, " said Joseph Ferriero, co-director. Ferriero brings a wealth of experience to the program, including founder and creative director of the West Hudson Arts & Theater Company, directing at Studio Playhouse in Montclair, musical director at Paramus High School and media manager at the Broadway production of Lysistrata Jones. He has also directed several plays and musicals for both middle schools, high schools and community theaters, and has himself performed in a variety of productions.

"Teen Drama the program is a fun and engaging way for students to explore their interest and deepen their skills in the performing arts during their summer vacation," says Michele Sarnoski, co-director. State Certified staff in their field teach all classes, and students receive individual attention, constructive feedback, and the support need to achieve their personal goals. Sarnoski has been a cheerleading coach, choreographer and producer/director of several teen musicals including Kearny HS's recent hit In the Heights.

Ferriero and Sarnoski worked closely with Lysistrata Jones Tony Nominated Book Writer Douglas Carter Beane to make the production teen friendly, while music director Scott Burzynski worked with composer Lewis Flinn on the music for this production. The group has received many personal letters of encouragement from the Original Broadway Cast of the show and several are planning to attend the production which will mark the first New Jersey production of the show.

"The success of TV shows such as Glee, Disney's High School Musical, American Idol and Camp Rock, not to mention the popularity of Broadway shows such as American Idiot, Hamilton and Rent have inspired many young people to become more and more involved in the performing arts," explains Ferriero. The Teen Drama program, he says, is an outgrowth of that interest.

Tickets for the production are available online at www.teendrama.org or at the box office the day of the performances. More information is available on the group's website or by calling 973-498-TEEN (8336).

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