Elina Lattanzio as stage Manager
Elina Lattanzio who was the main bully Savannah in m & s Marshall productions short film "Malicious Attack" is stepping out of the spotlight and going behind the scenes to call the cues of her high school production as the Stage Manager. Elina is familiar with walking the boards and being on screen, but this is not the first time that she has gone behind the scenes and been a member of the crew. She has worked as Assistant Stage Manager and Stage Manager on a number of productions at the Elgin Theatre Guild.
Elina is a dedicated actress, eager to learn and has great empathy with other actors… “A Director’s Dream,” says Leslie Chapman who has been the director of several shows that Elina has worked on both as an actress and as stage crew. Lesley is also the Elgin Theatre Guild President.
For this upcoming production at her high school- Parkside Collegiate Institute, she will be calling the shots as the Stage Manager of “Rock of Ages: High School Edition”. “Rock of Ages” takes you back to the times of big bands with big egos playing big guitar solos and sporting even bigger hair! It is a rock/jukebox musical, built around classic rock songs from the 1980s, especially from the famous glam metal bands of that decade. This Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical features songs from Styx, Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Poison and Europe among other well-known rock bands.
During the performance, the performers frequently break the “fourth wall”, directly addressing the audience and seemingly forgetting (or perhaps reminding the audience) that they are actors in a musical. Despite the musical’s title, the Def Leppard song of the same name is not included in the musical.
The original Broadway production ran for 2,328 performances, closing on January 18, 2015, as the 29th longest-running show in Broadway history. Since debuting on the Great White Way in 2009, it has spawned replica productions worldwide in Japan, Australia and the United Kingdom among others, as well as several touring productions. “Rock of Ages: High School Edition” is edited to be appropriate for younger audiences. The production has been adapted by the author and iTheatrics to create a version ready for high schools. The unforgettable rock anthems have been adjusted for teen voices and some subject matter has been adjusted for appropriateness.
Parkside is one of the very first schools to have the rights to perform this show. With their amazing cast of 50 students, they intend to bring the 80s back to life with neon, hairspray and a ton of rock and roll! The cast features Haley Gordon as “Sherry” and Aaron Houghton as “Stacee Jaxx”. Two iFilmGroup Alumni were part of the production as well. Aaliyah Paul was part of the cast and Morgan Flanagan was head of sound and choreographer for the dances.
Tickets are $12 and the show runs from February 28-March 3.
Night shows run at 7 pm, and there is a 1 pm matinée on Saturday March 3rd.
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