PUTNEY — The Grammar School's seventh- and eighth-graders present their spring musical, Happy Together, May 2 to 5. Making its world premiere on The Grammar School stage, this original musical extravaganza is adapted from Shakespeare's most-performed comedy, “As You Like It.”
The famous play has passed through the filter of writer-director Vicki Gohl's fertile imagination. A TGS parent and theater professional, at once baby boomer and lover of the classics, Gohl has adapted the story of Rosalind in tune with an assortment of golden hits from the 1960s.
Newfangled it is, but still a tale of tangled young love involving myriad disguises and misconceptions, before finding its ending of reconciliation and forgiveness amid the contentment of country life, now ensconced in pastoral Putney.
To spark the rush of the familiar music, seasoned producer/music director Alli Lubin has brought together expert pianist/arranger Teese Gohl, Jared Stolper (acoustic guitar), Billy Straus (electric guitar), Donald Saaf (banjo, mandolin), Bill Shontz (saxophone, flute, clarinet), Mark Grieco (bass), and Johnny Yuma (drums).
Doris Hauert, Felicity Ladd, Natalie Thomson and Jan Spanierman, Marjorie Ray, Sally Seymour, and Heather Koledo provide the costume and make-up magic.
The seventh- and eighth-grade parents all contribute their time and talent in some way to the production under the supervision of Parent Coordinator JoNell Hamilton. Veteran Lisa Stolper is at the controls backstage, while Larry Cornick orchestrates the set changes, Bob Flint channels the sound, and Mike Foster shines the lights on a richly patterned landscape backdrop designed and executed by artist Julia Zanes, in cooperation with Julie Jensen and JaJa Laughlin.
Performances are May 2, 3, 4, and 5 at 7 p.m., at The Grammar School, 69 Hickory Ridge Road South. The Thursday, May 3, performance is a benefit for Putney Family Services. The show is sponsored by The Putney School and Vermont Academy.
Tickets will be available at the door for suggested donation of $10 adults, $5 children/alumni, $25 family maximum. For reservations, call 802-387-5364.