Monessen to stage spring musical, ‘Ranked’

By TAYLOR BROWN

Monessen will be the first school in Pennsylvania to perform an up-and-coming musical, “Ranked,” this weekend – and members of the public are invited to attend.
The show, by Kyle Holmes and David Taylor Gomes, takes audience members into the minds of teenagers as they navigate the pressures of being successful at everything they do.
Director Hilary Brown said the show is relevant.
“It’s about teenagers and their everyday struggles with always being the best at everything, all of the time at any cost,” she said. “It’s so easy to be dismissive of high school problems or teenage angst, but “Ranked” has found its niche in validating those experiences and encourages audiences to do the same.”
The show debuted in 2019.
Three weeks before opening night, news of certain college admissions scandals broke.
The investigation, code named Operation Varsity Blues, shed light on what parents will do to make sure their children have the best education, from the best schools, no matter the cost.
“It was something that people suspected must happen in back rooms, but confirmation was finally being brought out into the light,” Brown said. “A year before that, a High School in Granite Bay, Calif. creative duo (Holmes and Gomes) started working on an original musical after speaking to their high school students about what problems were foremost on their minds. The students kept coming up with the same answer: the relentless pressure placed on them by peers, parents, society and themselves to be the best-with their grades, sports, everything.
“It debuted to rave reviews just weeks after the scandal was revealed, it paralleled that story and highlighted the concerns that the students confided in those two teachers, Kyle Holmes and David Taylor Gomes.”
She thought it would be relevant to students and would allow for a scaled back performance to align with COVID-19 protocol.
Last year, the pandemic closures hit one week before students were set to take the stage.
After weeks of virtual and outdoor rehearsals to keep students fresh on the material, the show was performed in-person for families in July, and streamed online for others who wanted to support the students and their hard work.
Brown knew she would work to have students perform this year if the district and current restrictions allowed.
“At one time, we weren’t even sure we would be allowed to have a show, let alone be permitted into the building to hold in person rehearsals,” she said. “But, over Christmas break the students submitted online video auditions and the directors met over Zoom to decide parts.”
In January, for three weeks, vocal rehearsals were held via Zoom, which proved difficult.
“That is almost impossible to have everyone’s computers synch up at the same time,” Brown said. “So each student was on screen, but had their audio muted while singing to a prerecorded music track of each song in the show.”
In February, students started in-person rehearsals for blocking and choreography, but COVID-19 exposures had a handful of students quarantined, which meant they had to participate virtually.
“It has been a very strange rehearsal process this year,” Brown said.
Between cast and crew, 28 students in grades six through 12 will participate in one of Monessen’s most scaled back, but powerful, performances.
“Our set is very simple this year, and the reason behind this is to limit the amount of people in the building at one time,” Brown said. “Our fathers, who build our sets every year, built tables and benches off site and brought them in before rehearsals. We are using a screen to project some videos for a couple of students who wanted to participate, however didn’t feel comfortable being in person, so we worked it into the show.
“Compared to past shows we’ve produced and performed here at Monessen, this year’s show is very bare bones. Small cast, limited choreography, little to no set pieces, but very raw emotion being portrayed by each of our cast members through their acting and singing.”
Brown said students have been able to connect to their characters they are playing more than ever before.
“They have been able to connect to the characters and themes in a way that makes theatre more relatable and real for them and hopefully the audience,” she said. “Watching my students take a brand new musical and make it their own, creating characters that they can relate to. I have always loved watching each kid who performs in our musicals become more confident in their own skin.”
Students will take the stage 7:30 p.m. Friday for their first in-person performance for family members.
On Saturday, there will be another show open to the public.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children and can be purchased by e-mailing monessengpa@monessensd.org.
A limited number of tickets will be available at the door, Brown said, adding only 112 tickets will be sold.
An “on demand” performance will stream April 2 through April 4.
Those tickets are $18 and can be purchased through ShowTix4U at https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/48392.
Cast
Lily Larsen, by Selena Fleming; Alexis Larsen, by Gabriella Cardoso; John Carter, by Dominique Dow; Jordan Carter, by Madison Popovich; Sydney Summers, by Chloe Miller; Ryan Summers, by Quenten Zboyovsky; Francis, by Jack Sacco; Jacquie, by Gracie Zizis; Carly, by Olivia Panicucci; Viv the Librarian, by Karisma Carrion; Sarah, by Baylee Post; Maya/Grace, by Raven Anderson; Nate Hughes, by Logan Anderson; Kelly Stewart, by Katrina Hewitt; Megan/Erica/Gracie, by Skyy Borinsky; Jayden/Emily/Isa, by Jadyn Wells; Marie/Josh/Maddy/Mat, by Lexi Hewitt; Valerie/Christine/Jenner/Tasia, by Evangeline Pierce; Liv, by Olivia Cooper; and Adrian, by Lacey Caterino.
Stage Crew
Angelie Bartholomew, stage manager; Bella Rizzuto, stage manager; and crew members Aaliyah Rice, Kyla Lugo, Josh Walters, Alex Merritt, Cyrus Batholomew and Kaylee Noel
Production
Hilary Brown, director; Megan Mckenna, assistant director/choreographer; Nick Lenz, vocal director; Ryan Jordan, student director/assistant choreographer; and Donnie Caterino, sound designer.

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