Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival Returns For Music And Movies

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Severna Park High School students will return to the stage in March for seven nights of nostalgia at the 34th annual Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival production.

This year’s show is dubbed “RNR XXXIV Goes to the Movies,” and will have a set list with 29 songs from movies throughout the ages.

The theme was chosen by former Severna Park High School teacher and drama advisor Angie Germanos, shortly before she retired last year. Karah Parks, the new drama advisor, loved it.

“It's like a double whammy in terms of audience recognition of what's going on onstage,” Parks said.

Songs appearing in the show include “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton, “Lose Yourself” by Eminem, “Ballroom Blitz” by The Sweet and “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins.

“I think people are in for a really great surprise with some fun twists based on their favorite songs from their favorite movies,” said student producer and cast member Gianna Dicks.

Rehearsals kicked off in the beginning of January. Since then, the team has done a couple of song rehearsals and a couple of dance rehearsals. Staff are also beginning the process of building the set and working on lighting cues.

“We’ve only had a couple of weeks, but so far we’ve gotten through a lot of stuff,” Dicks said.

Dicks’ interest in the show started at an early age when she first saw it as an elementary school student, and it grew until she finally auditioned as a freshman. Now a senior, she has participated in various roles all four years in high school.

“I had the privilege of being a student director last year and student producer this year, and it’s such an exciting thing to be a part of the process,” Dicks said.

Student director and cast member Cooper Powell has also been participating in the production all four years of high school and grew up watching it as a child.

“I feel like everyone gets their chance to shine,” Powell said.

As a student director, Powell has a new role in the production, along with his rehearsals as a cast member.

“I also help with backup rehearsals where I get to choreograph backup moves, which is really fun,” Powell said.

Student tech and sound director Ella Bowen was inspired to join the production’s tech crew in freshman year by a fellow Severna Park High School student she was working with at the time.

“Working with everybody is definitely one of the highlights of everything,” Bowen said.

Co-director and vocal director Michael Brisentine started as a music teacher at Severna Park High School. During his time as a music teacher, he grew to appreciate the show.

“I thought it was a very cool production and it gives the kids a chance to shine,” Brisentine said. “I just wanted to involve myself to try and make sure that it went as beautifully and smoothly as possible.”

This is Brisentine’s third year on the team, as well as his first in-person year. As one of four vocal directors, Brisentine helps students learn to sing their part by rote, starting with the backup vocalists.

“It's vulnerable,” Brisenstine said. “It's hard to sing unprepared next to all your friends. The max number of backup vocalists is six, so it's a very intimate rehearsal space.”

Although Emily DeLisle recently started working as choreographer on the Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival production team, she was also involved in the show as a student until 2010.

“Rock 'N' Roll was the absolute highlight of my time there each year,” DeLisle said.

Dance rehearsal for the show tends to be an involved process.

“We try to knock out a full three minutes of choreography for a two-and-a-half-hour dance rehearsal,” DeLisle said.

Even in the early stages of the production, the students are learning quickly.

“These kids are incredibly talented,” DeLisle said. “The production team can throw anything at them, and they will rise to the challenge, and they've been very quick to pick up any choreography.”

The show will run from March 9-12 as well as March 16-18. Tickets are on sale now at www.sphsdrama.com/rock-n-roll-revival.

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