The Haddonfield Memorial High School auditorium will be a place for music, dancing and entertainment on April 28 when the HMHS drama club performs its fourth annual “Bulldawgs on Broadway” show.
The Haddonfield Memorial High School auditorium will be a place for music, dancing and entertainment on April 28 when the HMHS drama club performs its fourth annual “Bulldawgs on Broadway” show.
This year’s performance, “Bulldawgs on Broadway: The Golden Age,” will feature music from the “Golden Age of Broadway,” which was ushered in by Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!” in 1943 and continued roughly until “Fiddler on the Roof” in 1964, according to HMHS Director of Musical Theater Matthew DiDonato.
“This year, we decided to change things up and return to the classics that everyone grew up with,” DiDonato said.
The audience can expect a variety of songs from some of the most iconic and familiar musicals, including “South Pacific,” “The Sound of Music,” “Gypsy” and “Guys and Dolls.” To prepare, the drama club and those involved in the production have been dedicated to ending the school year on a high note with an array of musical numbers.
With all of the performers this year being freshmen, sophomores and juniors, rehearsals have been “dynamic” and fun, according to DiDonato.
“These students are the future of the program, and they are all so motivated and excited to work together,” DiDonato said. “It’s encouraging for me to work with students who are so invested in the theater program at our school.”
Echoing DiDonato’s sentiments, the performers have enjoyed being able to give one last show to end the year, fostering friendships along the way.
“Because we already did the play in the fall and the musical, we have created a bond not only with the people over the years, but specifically with this year’s cast,” sophomore and performer Antony Post explained. “It’s a nice way for all of us to have one last performance together.”
Although the “Bulldawgs on Broadway” show is an annual performance, this year has a few notable differences.
“This year, we have more ensemble and small group numbers than in the past,” DiDonato explained. “There are also separate acts for the male and female ensembles and various duets … these are filled out by our solo acts.”
This year’s performance will also provide the opportunity for HMHS students to show their personalities on stage in unique ways.
“We are usually confined by the script,” Post said. “With this show, we all get a chance to do something that fits us personally as actors that maybe we wouldn’t have gotten in the musical or play.”
HMHS sophomore and actor Will Tully also believes this performance will be an opportunity for the students to let their personalities show on stage.
“I think this really showcases everyone’s talents and abilities to the maximum amount,” Tully added.
Although admission to the show is free, donations will be accepted following the show to purchase theatrical lighting equipment for the auditorium. The performance takes place on Saturday, April 28, at 7:30 p.m. in the HMHS auditorium.
