Clonmel schools stage magical jukebox musical

Irecently had the pleasure of taking part in a joint musical production by the CBS High School and Presentation Secondary School.

Rock Of Ages, a jukebox musical made up of 80s classic rock hits, was a resounding success.
Being a part of the show was one of the best experiences I have had in a long time, and the eight weeks between the auditions and the last performance seemed to go by in an instant.

The show was directed by Jenny Williams. Siobhán Alley from the Presentation and Olga Gannon from the High School taught the cast members how to sing the songs with their expert knowledge of harmonies, and Henry Fitzgerald handled most of the choreography.

Many other teachers from the Pres and High School alike took part to help with acting advice, choreography, music, costumes and backstage management.

We began with weekly rehearsals on Tuesday nights, and included Thursday evenings for the month of October. Principal roles had rehearsals on weekends also.

Cathal Walsh, who is no stranger to musical theatre, played the character and narrator Lonny Barnett. He showcased his incredible singing voice and acting skills and provided many words of wisdom and encouragement backstage.
Saoirse Scully, another virtuoso in youth theatre, played the female lead Sherrie, and brought an unmatched level of expertise and dedication to her part.
Harry McMahon, who has done a few shows before, played the male lead of Drew, the budding rockstar.
Harry’s part was one of the most difficult in terms of singing, but he rose to the occasion masterfully and reached notes higher than I could ever dream of singing.

It was Maks Cesnik’s first time in a show, but he quickly became one of the funniest parts of the show.
His character Franz shared hilarious scenes with Alice Sweeney as Hilda Klineman and Zuzanna Poniedialek as Anita Bath.
Mathew Pyke, another first timer in the world of acting, was highly impressive with his performance as Dennis Dupree, as he was constantly adding small details that really brought his character to life.

I was lucky enough to get the part I had hoped for, the comedic villain Stacee Jaxx.
The scene where we performed Every Rose Has It’s Thorn included everyone mentioned above, as well as Aoibhe Condon’s character Justice Charlier.

Listening to everyone sing together in harmony made me realise how grateful I am to have been included in such an incredibly strong group of principal cast members.
Of course, it is not just about the principal characters. All of the cast brought a huge energy to the show and made it feel so much more realistic.

 will never forget singing Wanted Dead Or Alive by Bon Jovi, and parading around the stage in a scene that is meant to recreate a music venue.
The ensemble were tasked with filling out the space to make it feel like the venue was alive and jam packed with people. As I moved around the stage, I could see the little storylines that people created to make it feel real: there was the waitress taking orders, the group of people playing darts, the staff cleaning the bar and so much more.
Without everyone involved, the scene would not have felt anywhere near as energetic.

And I still have yet to mention the highly skilled individuals who worked on lights, sound, set design, and played in the band.
A huge thank you must also be given to all the sponsors and audiences who came throughout the week. It just goes to show how it takes everyone involved to make a great production. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and look forward to whatever we do next year.