FRAMINGHAM, MA – In 2008, Framingham High School’s Drama Company performed “Once on This Island”. The production won seven out of ten awards in state-wide competition, including best Musical, Director, Ensemble, Orchestra, Lighting Design, Scenic Design, and Technical Crew.

When FHS-DC was selected to perform in Scotland in August – as part of the world’s largest arts festival – Director Donna Wresinski decided that “Once on This Island” was the show to do. “Now people have one more chance to see this award-winning production right here in Framingham, MA – before it goes international in Edinburgh,” said Wresinski.

SHOW DATE: Saturday, August 7, 2010

TIME: 7:00 p.m.

PLACE: Framingham High School Auditorium

Tickets are available online via www.ticketstage.com Pricing is $10 online, $12 at the door. All proceeds benefit the FHS Drama Company’s trip to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland.

About Once on this Island

This highly original and theatrical Caribbean adaptation of the popular fairy tale “The Little Mermaid” garnered eight Tony nominations for its Broadway run, including Best Musical, Book and Score. In almost non-stop song and dance, the show tells the story of Ti Moune, a black peasant girl who rescues and falls in love with Daniel, a wealthy boy from the other side of her island. When Daniel is returned to his people, the fantastical gods who rule the island guide Ti Moune on a quest to test the strength of her love against the powerful forces of prejudice, hatred, and death.

FHS-DC’s “Once on This Island” – Who’s Who

• Ti Moune: Chloe Kounadis
• Daniel: Matt Scranton
• Ton Ton: Mike Russo
• Mama Euralie: Deanna Foltz
• Papa Ge: Patrick Greeley
• Asaka: Lindsay Ortmeyer & Hannah Cohen
• Agwe: Connor Fallon & David Olson
• Erzulie: Megan Grandolfi
• Andrea: Emily Grove & Lisa Graveline
• Little Ti Moune: Kayla Andrew
• Lead Female Storyteller/ Lead Dancer: Olivia Moriarty
• Lead Male Storyteller/ Percussion: Harry Meltzer

Storytellers: Kyle Collins, Allie Raynor, Conor Dennin, Hannah Radner, Philip DaCosta, Amy Fintonis, Jonathan West, Lauren Stockless, Zach Scott, Laura Schwartz, Michael Berkson, Makenzie Shay

Dancers: Anna Arata, Carly Biron, Sydney Lachman, Jill Sulfaro

Peasants: Bonnie Atterstrom, Helen Churchill, Julie Clancy, Eleanor Doran, Emily Eisman, Katie Grindeland, Jenna Hurley, Emma MacDonald, Maegin McDonald, Austin Nikonchuk, Brad Nikonchuk, Catharine Paiva, Jamie Petrakis, Jonathan Ribeiro, Romy Richman, Andres Rosales, Amy Solomon, Allie Stratner, Suzanna Taytslin, Nick Ziogas

Production Staff:

• Director: Donna A. Wresinski
• Musical Director: Dan Moore
• Technical Director: Steve McGonagle
• Company Stage Manager: Chris Brindley
• With Choreography by: Emily Craver
• Asst. Musical Director: Kara Andrew
• Production Stage Manager: Cheryl Bergman
• Lighting Designer: Sean O’Leary
• Asst. Lighting Designer/Lighting Execution: Abby Singer
• Associate Company Stage Manager: Stephanie L. Steinbach Henry
• Run Crew: Sara Bishop, Dan Richman, Greg Royce, Lena Taytslin
• House Manager/ Publicity Chair: Leslie Adams Dowst
• Costume Mistress/ Asst. House Manager: Judi Olson
• Technical Associate: R. Michael Wresinski

Pit Band:

• Conductor/Keyboard: Dan Moore
• Bass: Sean O’Leary
• Guitar: Keith Stockless
• Percussion: Harry Meltzer

About FHS-DC and their Scotland trip

Framingham High’s award-winning Drama Company was chosen from a pool of thousands of eligible schools to represent the U.S. at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2010. The Scotland “Fringe” is part of the world’s largest and most prestigious arts festival. FHS-DC is fundraising to help as many go as possible by reducing costs for its members.

As part of FHS-DC, Framingham High students of all levels can watch, learn from, and participate with professionals as they work on dance, music, design, playwriting, and directing. Director Donna Wresinski fashions Drama Company after college programs, so that students learn from the best – far beyond the typical high school curriculum.

This professional outreach and infusion – along with an open door policy to include every student in FHS-DC – separates Framingham from other high school programs. The group produces several plays each year, and has won many awards and honors.

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