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Schools

Schreiber: A Thespian's Summer Home

Even though school is out for the summer, Schreiber is still occupied with actors and musicians rehearsing for the Port Summer Show.

Its summertime – and school is in session? , home of the Port Summer Show, buzzes with activity even in July. Walking through the halls on a summer evening, one will find students and adults rehearsing scenes with peers, putting together sets, and even tap dancing on stage.

Now in its 40th year, the Port Summer Show is a local non-profit that seeks to expose local students, grades 7-12, to all aspects of putting together a musical while simultaneously providing a full weekend of entertainment for the community. This year, the group is staging a rendition of “42nd Street,” a family show that details the attempts of director Julian Marsh to put together a musical during the Great Depression.

It is a “show within a show,” as described by parent and volunteer Susan Hoffman. It also features a great deal of tap dancing.

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Hoffman and Elisabeth Roberts are co-presidents of the Summer Show board, and oversee every aspect of the program.

“From auditions to the final show it’s a really fun and exciting process,” Hoffman said. “The students are all dedicated and hardworking. We know the show will be fabulous.“

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Students don’t seem to mind being in school during the hot summer months.

“It’s more fun than being here during the school day,” said cast member Chris Falcioni.

While some, like Falconi, are veterans, the show also welcomes students new to acting. Among the rookies is Phillip Strangolagalli, a recent Schreiber graduate.

“It’s always exciting to learn new things and meet new people,” Strangolagalli noted. “It would’ve been so cool knowing some of these new friends in school and being friends with them then.”

Strangolagalli is not the only one valuing the new relationships made through the Summer Show. Harry Paul, who plays Abner Dillon, described the group as “a family of tap dancing musical talents and fun, spirited teenagers.”

For Tessa Peierls, the summer show is an opportunity for family bonding. “It’s cool having my whole family here because it’s something we can do together,” she said, noting that her parents and sister are all involved in the show.

Aside from the cast, there is a 30-piece pit orchestra featuring local residents. Housing such a large group truly enhances the show’s musical quality. Playing with the pit helps many members improve their ability, as the orchestra must learn to play the same professional music heard on Broadway.

At the heart of it all, the Summer Show is an organization that relies on community support.

“Any support from local businesses [and] people, helps us put together this musical that costs less than a movie or Broadway show and is a rewarding experience for both the audience and the 75-100 students who participate,” said Solomon Hoffman, who conducts the orchestra.

This year, the summer show will run from Aug. 4-6 at 7:30 p.m., and Aug. 7 at 2 p.m. in the air-conditioned Schreiber auditorium. Prior to Saturday’s performance, there is an alumni reunion at 6:30 p.m.

As cast member Annabelle May put it: “It’s going to be brilliant!"

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