Eastipedia: Musical Revue

Photos by Grace Goldman.

Musical Revue is an annual concert that revolves around a theme, organized by students and a few teachers.

Choir director Ken Foley, english teacher Brian Cappello and drama teacher Tom DeFeo started Musical Revue eight years ago, to take the musical’s place when the auditorium was under construction. Foley, Capello and DeFeo decided to continue the tradition, so for the last eight years as September rolls around, so does the Musical Revue.

“We’ve been doing it at the beginning of the year as a way to feature as many kids as we [can],” Foley said. “It’s great because there are a lot of solos and small groups.”

Auditions are held in May. The running order of the show, along with solos, duets and small group numbers are posted on the bulletin board outside the Little Theatre. Students prepare their songs over the summer. Rehearsal starts the second week of school, and performers have two weeks to get the Revue ready for show week.

Each year, Foley, Cappello and Defeo choose a theme on which the whole concert is centered. Students gather costumes and props for each of their performances. In past years, themes have varied from Old Broadway to Disney to the 60’s.This year, students were be decked out in neon accents to compliment their all black outfits for an 80’s montage.

“Each [Revue] is different,” Foley said. “The themes are always fun. We did Disney last year – that may have been my favorite – I love all those tunes.”

In addition to solos, duets and small groups, group numbers and class numbers are performed. Groups learn their dances and logistics during the two-week time period.

“[Musical Revue] was the best moment I had all [freshmen] year. I knew I had found where I wanted to be at East,” senior Christian Kennedy “It gets freshmen involved instantly.”