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Jazzing it up at the TriPAC this summer |
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On Friday, August 20, Village Productions and the Tri-County Performing Arts Center (TriPAC) hosted the musical production “Songs that Go Like This… A Broadway Review,” directed by professional vocalists Maggie and Mark Moliterno. This production, which featured a familiar mix of Broadway songs from the hilarious to the sublime, created an energetic and upbeat show for all ages to enjoy.
The cast for this production was comprised of the Moliternos and 21 of the area’s most talented and enthusiastic young singers and actors, including two sixth form (senior) Hill students Jonathan “Johnny” Corson and Ian Agnew. All proceeds from this production benefitted Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery Country and the TriPAC. The ultimate goal of the production was to strengthen the Pottstown community by increasing the presence of the arts in the community and encouraging the continued work to revitalize Pottstown’s High Street.
This summer the Moliternos worked with Johnny and Ian and 19 other aspiring performing artists to enhance and hone their vocal and acting skills and prepare them for their upcoming performance. These 21 students were selected to participate in this special production after two rounds of auditions which initially attracted more than 140 students from the Tri-County area. The students were chosen based on their “talent, stage presence, personality, and “openness,’” says Maggie Moliterno.
“We not only want these young singing actors to enjoy the process of preparing the production, but we also want them to learn something about portraying the emotions and stories of the songs in a natural way,” notes Moliterno, who teaches similar methods in her “Character in Song class during the year at the TriPAC.
Both Johnny and Ian were excited to become involved with this program which has made it possible for them to give back to the Pottstown community and do what they love most -- singing and performing. At Hill, Johnny and Ian are involved with vocal performance and theater and are members of the School’s select male a cappella group, the Hilltones.
“I have enjoyed working with other kids from the surrounding area who share my interests and I appreciate all I have learned from the Moliternos,” says Johnny, who will be a featured soloist in a group number. “It’s been a fun and rewarding experience.”
“I’ve seen many shows at the TriPAC and I am now thrilled to be making my own stage debut,” says Ian. “Performing is my true passion, and it's such a great experience to be able to share that right here in the community.” Mark and Maggie Moliterno have vast experience in the performing arts industry. Mark has performed as a bass-baritone soloist throughout the United States, Europe, and the Far East and he has performed with symphony orchestras nationwide. Mark has also taught voice lessons at The Hill School. He is co-author of The Musician’s Breath, which is due to be published this fall. Maggie has been praised by audiences in the United States and Europe for her versatility as a singing actress. After becoming a regional finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council audtions, Maggie went on to perform in operas, operettas, and musicals throughout the country. She made her debut singing “Queen of the Night” from Mozart’s “Magic Flute”. She has also won first place in the Irma M. Cooper Opera Columbus Vocal Competition and has been awarded several prestigious scholarship awards, including the Bel Canto Scholarship and the Gerda Lissner Scholarship.
Through their work with their students, the Moliternos try to teach “essential rehearsal and performance techniques as well as basic vocal techniques for singing artists,” says Maggie. Overall, the Moliternos hope to leave their students and audiences with a sense of community bonding and collaboration --- “Songs that Go Like This… A Broadway Review” is sure to deliver such an experience.
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