Knollwood Students Rock Out on Stage in a 1950's Classic With a Twist

Knollwood students rocked the stage on Thursday night in a performance of "A 1950's Rock and Roll Horror Show."

The show was performed by the 6th, 7th and 8th grade Performing Arts Troupe from Knollwood school. Since January, the cast has been rehearsing about 3 hours a week for the show. "They really have been working hard," said Director Gabrielle Illiano. "The kids are really excited about the performance tonight."

Every year, the Performing Arts Troupe puts on a production. For the last several years the theme has been musicals. This year, the troupe decided to go with a 1950's style musical with a spooky twist.

With 50's rock music, poodle skirts, pig tails and some creepy characters, these students put on a musical that was fun and creative.

Based on a book by Tim Kelly, the show was about a boy named Rubert Lydecker and his struggle for popularity and acceptance. A mad scientist named Dr. Matilda Dangerfield claims to have a potion that will change his life. When potions get accidentally switched, Rubert turns into a werewolf.

Rubert's new furry identity gains him lots of attention and popularity from the students at Riverdale High School. However, he learns that being a werewolf isn't all it's cracked up to be and that being true to himself is what matters in the end.

The show starred Sean Loughran as Chet Lumpcrass, Anderew Maris as Rubert Lydecker, Bethany Parsons as Mrs. Myrtle Crunch and Maggie Hayes as Dr. Matilda Dangerfield. In total, there were about 30 students in the cast.

The students were excited before the show and happy to have worked together. "This is exciting because we have 3 different grades coming together as one cast," said Rebecca Karol who played the character of Mamie. "We had a fun time working together and making this show happen."

Zoe Gallagher, who played Sandra, said it was fun to pretend to be someone else. "I get to be someone completly different," said Gallagher. "The character of Sandra is nothing like me, and it was so much fun to take on her personality and get into her shoes. It was a fun challenge."

Parents were thrilled to see their children up on the stage. Daniel Loughran's son Sean played the character of Chet Lumpcrass. "We knew he was going to be in a show, but this was a complete shock to us," said Loughran. "We didn't know he would be up there singing and dancing. It's fabulous, I am so proud of him."

For some of the 8th grade students, the performance was bitter-sweet. "My daughter has been in these productions for the last few years," said Joanne Horner, mother of Jennie Horner who played the cat woman. "Jennie will be graduating this year and I know she is going miss performing in these shows very much."

Before the show, Principal Tom Famulary wished the students luck and said that he looks forward to seeing the 8th graders perform at the High School in comming years. He said, jokingly,  that the 8th grade performers will go onto " boot camp at RFH."