Review: 'Curtains' at Trumbull High School

“There’s a special kind of people known as ‘show people!’”

Trumbull, CT - The spring musical at Trumbull High School is ‘Curtains,’ a musical-comedy whodunit with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb (‘Chicago,’ ‘Cabaret’) and a book by Rupert Holmes. The original book and concept is credited to Peter Stone. ‘Curtains’ opened on Broadway in 2007 and ran for 511 performances, but the high school students were challenged with having to create buzz for a show that many had never heard of before it was announced in the summer by artistic director Jessica Spillane. This clever musical set in 1950’s Boston was a new one for me, and I was excited to see what the students had managed to put together despite too many snow-day cancelled rehearsals.

‘Curtains’ is written in the classic ‘show within a show’ format and the murder mystery solving is accented with several big production numbers. Homicide Lt. Detective Frank Cioffi, who is a community theatre actor on the side, tries to motivate the dejected cast of ‘Robb’n Hood,’ an ailing new musical trying for Broadway. The show weaves a story of romance, mystery and wonderful comedy as Lt. Cioffi simultaneously tries to solve a crime and rewrite a musical into a smash hit. Producer Shannon Bolan noted, “The best way I’ve found to explain it to people is that it’s like ‘42nd Street’ meets the board game Clue.”

Ms. Spillane, who explains in her director’s note the manner in which she came to be in charge of the spring musical at THS at the behest of principal Bob McCarthy, directs the talented students as she has for this high school’s last twenty productions. The veteran English teacher also writes that she feels “blessed to be a part of a community that embraces the arts and embraces opportunities for young people...An active, intellectual, and empathetic citizenry starts with passionate young people whose dreams are nurtured and ideas are valued. There is no better place to engender that than the stage.” Trumbull has consistently shown itself to be a community that does just that, and my parking lot thought was “Now THAT is how a high school spring musical is done!”

As a theatre person, I loved the backstage theme and the juxtaposition of the ongoing romances and murder solving. I certainly did not expect that as a contemporary theatre critic I would have my very own song in the first act entitled “What Kind of Man.” The choreography for every number by Abigail Root was great, with “Show People” a standout.

Music director Jerold Goldstein, an award winning Broadway actor, musician and teacher with Musical Theatre Collaborative, played Sasha and the piano in the pit, and conducted the thirteen piece orchestra that perfectly covered the varied pieces in this fun score.

I am always impressed with the talent of the teens in Trumbull HS productions that meets the high quality of the technical aspects. Lt. Frank Cioffi was played well by Christopher Conaway. Harrison Gilberti (Cat in ‘Seussical’ at THS) was excellent as composer Aaron Fox. THS senior Rachel Salem (Sour Kangaroo in ‘Seussical’) was able to shine in every way as brassy producer Carmen Bernstein and Matt Ferri (Mr. Mayor last year) played her husband Sidney in his final THS show. Junior Jacqueline Mate (Jojo in last year’s ‘Seussical’) was lovely and sang superbly as lyricist Georgia Hendricks.

The ingénue Niki Harris was brought to life by freshman Rachel Arianna Weintraub; it was abundantly clear why this young performer has Off-Broadway credits. Julie Spillane showed off her dancing in the role of Bambi Bernet, the daughter of Carmen, in her tenth and final musical at Trumbull HS. Senior Carlos Perez, who was one of the great Wickersham Brothers last year, was great in the role of the always eating Oscar Shapiro. Thomas Leonard, who was General Gengus Khan Schmitz last year, played campy English director Christopher Belling with aplomb.

Sophomore Andy Spillane, another Wickersham last year, took on the role of choreographer Bobby Pepper, Sarah Giaquinto (Bird Girl in ‘Seussical’) made her mark as the stage manager Joannie Harmon. Dylan Cranston was in his first THS show as Randy Dexter, Armand Perez played a theatre critic for the local Boston newspaper Daryl Grady, DJ Flam (‘Children of Eden’ with TYA) was Harv Fremont, Allie Lewis was killed off first as Jessica Cranshaw (no other spoilers!) and Graham Pelligra appeared briefly as Det. O’Farrell.

The dance ensemble had a lot to do and did it well. Julie Spillane and Kavya Ganugapati served as dance captains. The large ensemble included the cast of the developing musical ‘Robb’n Hood’ as well as the typical ensemble. Kudos to the hair crew for the great wigs and pipe curls and the make-up crew who worked hard as well.

Technical director was Matt Bracksieck, senior Allie Lewis acted as assistant to the music director. Lighting design by junior James Gallo and Everett Rende (‘15) included a heart-shaped spotlight and complemented well the backstage set which was designed by alumni Stephanie Bont (‘09) and Sam Maloney (‘10). I loved when the audience got to see what it looks like to stand onstage and look out into the house.

Remaining performances of ‘Curtains’ will be presented on the evenings of March 23 & 24 at 7:30pm and for a Sunday matinee on March 18 at 2:00pm. Visit thsmusicals.com for tickets information, photos, videos, and more. If you get your tickets now, you can find out “whodunit” and how the show--no matter what!--must go on.

All photos courtesy of THS Musicals Facebook page

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues and she posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theater Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417