The department has an array of musical events coming up this summer.
By: Amy Filippone, Dept. of Parks & Recreation
This summer, Parks & Recreation is partnering with MoorArts to produce “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” on July 20, 21, 25 & 27 at 7:30 p.m. and July 28 at 3 p.m. The show, featuring a talented cast ranging from teenagers to young adults, will be performed on the Moorestown High School auditorium stage. Now celebrating its 50th year since its debut on Broadway, Moorestown’s “Dreamcoat” is directed and choreographed by Erica and Greg Harr, who lead the Moorestown High School Theater program. Former MoorArts scholarship winner Caroline Voyack is the show’s Vocal Director.
Treat yourself and your family and don’t miss this marvelous production. The matinee is open to general public, but accommodations will be made at this performance for those with special needs. There will be sign language interpreters and information about the musical online so kids and their families can prep for the show. During the production, the performers use glow sticks to alert the audience of a loud noise or something that could be a jolt to the senses. Tickets for all performances are $15 and can be purchased online or at the door. For ticket sales and group rate information, visit www.MoorArts.org.
The department’s summer concert series will continue every Monday evening through July 30; 6 p.m. for the children’s program and 6:30 p.m. for the Main Stage event. All concerts are free and snacks have been generously donated by Wegmans.
On July 23, the kids stage will have a preview of our Recreation Department children’s theatre production “Annie Jr.” The main stage will feature The Steve Barbone Jazz Band; Jass, Swing and American songbook music. The Barbone Street Jazz Band was first formed in 1996 when clarinetist Steve Barbone and a group of professional jazz musicians decided to fill an existing niche for tasteful New Orleans Jazz and Swing. The musicians shared a love for jazz and recognized a growing trend to swing dancing, American songbook and Mardi Gras music among the younger people.
On July 30, the kids stage will feature the Perkins Children’s Flute Ensemble, a musical menagerie of animal-inspired songs celebrating cats, birds, dogs, mice, elephants and eagles. On the main stage, The Wind Symphony of Southern New Jersey will perform. Back by popular demand, the symphony is a woodwind, brass and percussion ensemble that performs music for wind ensemble, concert band and chamber winds. The symphony was founded in 1965 and directed by Robert Streckfuss a professor of music.
On Friday, Sept. 7, the Midiri Brothers Orchestra will be playing at the 3rd Floor of the Church Street Recreation Center. From 7 to 9 p.m., this Big Bank will play Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Fletcher Henderson, Glenn Miller, the Dorsey Brothers and more under the direction of clarinetist Joe Midiri.
