Here are two dramatic productions by the Class of 71.
Dark of the Moon was the senior play for the class of 1971. (Never to be confused with the 2011 film Transformers: Dark of the Moon !)
The play was originally produced on Broadway in 1945 and was later used for many college and high-school productions.
The story is set in the Appalachian Mountains and centers on the character of John, a “witch boy” who seeks to become human after falling in love with a human girl, Barbara Allen. A very old European folk song “The Ballad of Barbara Allen”, was the basis for the story.
Although Dark of the Moon is not a musical, it was originally billed as a “legend with music” and characters do sing in most productions.
A clipping from The Irvington Herald – not very clear but it has all the credits. Apparently, some roles had understudies since multiple names are given.
Left to right: Joe Longinotti preaching. In front of the preacher is Lori McAuvic (mother) & Liz Grasmueck (as Barbara Allen ) Brian Sanchez. Repenting are Debbie Dobiszewski and Mike Emanuele. To their right, half of Barry Feigenbaum, ???? and Charlie Ambielli behind Sauci Bosner and Mike Geller at far right.
Julie Altschuler, backstage in wardrobe. Is that Norma Pilone in the background?
From The Irvington Herald: Anna Paszczak sleeps under the watch of Dave Heller with 3 fair witches behind him – Gail Fucci, Gail Gross & Karen Repke.
The witches – fair and dark, sultry and wicked. Karen Repke, Michelle Leone, Nancy Kuscher, Michelle Pascale, Gail Fucci, Suzanne Tardi
John (Dave Heller) carries off Barbara Allen
Charlie Ambielli, Joe Longionotti, Tom Trokan, Maureen Cooney
Wayne Decker, Tom Trokan, Anna Paszczak, Alexis Diakow , Mike Emanuele
Uncle Smellicue is not having a good night (Mike Geller)
Poor tortured soul Barbara Allen (Anna Paszczak)
The men are clearly charmed by Miss Metcalf (Sharon Purcell)
Let us not forget those behinds the scenes…
Mr. Weiger, director (Nancy Golaski was Student Director)
Mr. English doing some makeup bs
The playbill contained many pages of ads and boosters – some handwritten from classes and groups, some printed from town businesses.
Another smaller production came out of a Mrs. Stark’s junior English class who performed excerpts from Shakespeare’s The Tempest . Some other English classes were the audience.
Since Shakespeare only included one female in the play (Miranda, Prospero’s daughter), our female classmates took some male roles. (A reversal of men taking all the women’s parts in Shakespeare’s time.) We don’t have a cast list for this production, so if you know names and characters, post a comment.
Frank Bellis as the wizard, Prospero.
Classroom rehearsal
in back, Frank Bellis & Michelle Pascale. Middle: Marco Budnyj, Linda Fidnick, Maureen Cooney and Fred Knapp – Front: Barry Feigenbaum and Peter Radomskyj
Is that Dave Heller drinking? And the person in the middle (Is that Barry?) may have been playing Ariel (the spirit) though in the photo above this Linda looks dressed as a spirit. Hmmmm… Peter Radomskyj is on the right.
Where, when and what? And that crucifix?Not sure what Mike is up to here. Dance move?
Irvington High School Class of 1971 