Aliens, love and theater

Pennbrook MS production marks 20 years of original theater

Pennbrook Middle School presents its spring musical, “Alien Invasion, the Musical! A Love Story in Two Acts,” on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, March 9 — 11 at 7:30 p.m. The show was written by Pennbrook English teacher Joe O’Brien to celebrate 20 years of original musical productions at the school. Some 1,500 Pennbrook students have been involved in Pennbrook Originals, which feature original stories, music, choreography and sets, all created by Pennbrook teachers for Pennbrook students.

New music for this show was written by Katie Campbell, Pennbrook’s chorus teacher, and orchestrated by Peter Neu, Pennbrook’s band director, who also directs the pit orchestra. Many original songs from previous shows are also featured. Producer Dianne McTamney, ninth-grade social studies teacher, handles all production and administrative duties. KC Carrelli, a senior at North Penn High School, is the choreographer. Local art teacher Deb Celenza is the set designer, and ninth-grade science teacher Tim Schindele constructed the sets.

The show involves close to 100 students on stage, in the pit orchestra, and backstage.

Major roles are played by ninth-graders Chris Lee (Narrator), Alexis Bamford (Neha), Mira Startosa (Mayor McGuffin), Mikayla Neu (Krall), and Karly Buchanan (Jessie). Eighthgrade principal players include Olivia Grecco (Livy) and Ryan Jacob (Mork). Seventh graders Eric Lewis (Bernie) and Emily Woodland (Shannon) are also cast members.

Tickets are on sale now; email ljupright@outlook.com.

Pennbrook Middle School is at 1201 North Wales Road, Upper Gwynedd.

The show will also air on NPTV in late March.

PHOTOS BY GENE WALSH — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Cast members perform during a dress rehearsal of Pennbrook Middle School’s musical.

Mira Starosta and Eric Lewis perform together during a dress rehearsal on March 1.

Jessica Klimp performs during a dress rehearsal of “Alien Invasion: The Musical! A Love Story in Two Acts.”