This year, because of COVID-19 related school closings, Severna Park High School Drama has had to structure Rock ‘N Roll Revival XXXII as a “virtual” production with a fun “British Invasion” theme.
Over its thirty-one year history, the SPHS Rock ‘N Roll Revivals have had a multitude of themes. Nevertheless, more often that not, the music of British pop stars ranging from Petula Clark and Donovan to The Beatles and Rolling Stones has been part of the productions.
Producer/director Angela Germanos found that recreating those 60’s sound tracks provided an excuse for the RNR costumers to copy Carnaby Street style mini dresses and go go boots like those worn by back-up singers Kaylie Pridgen, Erin Pryzybia and Maddie Howard while harmonizing on Clark’s “Couldn’t Live Without Your Love” in 2015.
RNR’s adult and student producers and directors reproduced the look and sound again in 2017 in a production number featuring British pop tunes that was further enhanced by the compelling choreography of Kelly DeLeon.
The look and music were back once more in 2019 for Rock ‘N Roll Revival’s 30th Anniversary show featuring a Hall of Fame Theme. The concept was not new to Annabelle Cotton and Abby Kondraki who were cast members for the fourth year, Seen here, Abby was cast as a flapper for an upcoming scene while Annabelle was a mod rocker in mini-dress and boots for hers.
So it’s quite understandable that the RNR production team chose a British Invasion theme for Rock ‘N Roll XXXII – a theme that should translate well to a digital version to be viewed online.
Germanos said a date has not been set for airing the show yet as the editing process is so complicated.
“We auditioned virtually and have been practicing virtually. We have also filmed virtually and the videographer and my co-director Atticus Boidy will be combining the vocals with the dance and adding the band to make a final production,” she said.
“We have adult vocal directors, tech director, band director and choreographers and an assistant producer but we also have student leaders for all these positions. The student leaders have been very helpful in making sure the cast and crew understand the process. We have added American Sign Language this year and it is working out very well.”
Chatting with Falcon Drama Boosters board member Jill Robinson, whose daughter Leslie is in the cast, we learned that the virtual production will have 30 songs made famous by British artists. Some are from the era when British pop rock exploded onto the American music scene courtesy of the Fabulous Four appearing on the Ed Sullivan TV Show.
She added that, for each of the songs, her daughter had a couple virtual vocal rehearsals with the vocal director, a couple virtual dance rehearsals with the choreographer and a couple virtual blocking rehearsals ending with a rehearsal combining everything for filming. Everyone has to make their own costumes at home, of course, with help from a costume lead.
“It’s like, ‘Hey, do you have black leggings and can you find a shirt that looks like this, and could you add some silver jewelry?’ Robinson said. “It’s been improvising from whatever we have and quite a challenge.”
Dances can only be performed solo since everyone films them individually instead of as a group. Then the pieces are edited together.
Meantime, SPHS Drama has something else planned to showcase students’ talents – a Virtual Improv Night on March 12 at 7 pm. For a link to Improve Night or for updates on the release of Rock ‘N Roll Revival XXXII, British Invasion, visit HOME | Falcon Drama (sphsdrama.com).
AAUW moves ahead with in-person book discussions
For the first time in a year, members of the county’s American Association of University Women met in person at the World War II Memorial in Annapolis to pick up program guides for the coming year’s activities of their Great Decisions Discussion Group.
The group is more widely known for their book collection days at drop-by sites in Severna Park, Arnold and Annapolis in preparation for its multi-day book sales held annually at Festival at Pasadena. With literally thousands of books to choose from, the sales are well attended.
Funds raised through the sales are used to support scholarships for women.
According to AAUW publicity committee chair Cathy Crowley, Great Decisions, is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs. Organized by The Foreign Policy Association, the discussions provide background information and policy options for the eight most critical issues facing America each year. The Anne Arundel County branch has had a Great Decisions group for more than twenty years.
Crowley said the branch has been restricted during the COVID pandemic to accepting (or sometimes simply packing) limited numbers of donated books from family collections. She was quick to note that AAUW has other activities including book clubs and bridge clubs.
At the moment, announcements are being made about the availability of scholarships and how women can apply. For full information on three categories of scholarships offered, visit AAUW Anne Arundel County (MD) Branch.
