Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn Ends School Year
With Sold-Out Musical Revue “Adelphi Pop!”
Upper Schooler Albert belts out a tune during “Adelphi Pop!”
Upper Schooler Isaac performs a powerful solo.
BAY RIDGE – Members of Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn’s Theater Arts Program concluded the school year with a one-night-only, sold-out performance of its spring musical revue “Adelphi Pop!” inside the John Lockwood Auditorium Theatre on Friday, June 14th, 2019. The energetic, pulse-pounding production continued a grand tradition of producing a full-fledged musical revue on the last day of classes that was established at Adelphi back in Spring 2014.
The evening’s program featured a decades-spanning set list composed of 23 songs, covering everything from Dion and Elvis Presley to Train and Maroon 5. The students and staff who performed that night clearly enjoyed the comprehensive musical catalog celebrating the evolution of popular music. The audience did too, as the entire crowd clapped along to their favorite numbers.
Adding to the authentic theatrical experience was the fact that the entire show was performed along with a live band full of talented musicians who volunteered their time to benefit the program. Mr. Khalil Calvin Curtiss dazzled on flute, saxophone and percussion, Mr. John Coughlin rocked on electric and acoustic guitar, and Mr. Mike Shaw shined on bass guitar. They joined Adelphi’s Musical Director Mr. Robert Bates (piano, keyboard and vocals) and Director of Academy Operations Mr. Albert C. Corhan (drums and percussion), who also served as the show’s producer.
The production also featured the welcome return of three of Adelphi’s most talented alumni — Class of 2018 graduates Regina Levy, Luke Gemma and Ania John — who shined on stage once again. Levy performed a powerful solo rendition of “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera, while John led the female cast in a foot-stomping version of “Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson. The charismatic Gemma served as the evening’s host, introducing acts and cracking jokes to keep the audience entertained.
The cast and crew poses after the show!
Among the standout performances was Upper Schooler Isaac Nasimov’s solo rendition of “Just the Way You Are” by Billy Joel, a spirited performance of Frank Sinatra’s “The Theme from New York, New York” led by Upper Schooler Albert Mauti, and an acoustic version of Bryan Adams’ “Summer of ’69” led by Upper Schoolers Nasimov and Joshua Korsunsky. “Adelphi Pop!” also saw the stage debut of the Theater Arts Program’s youngest member, Middle Schooler Kenn Izaguirre. He showed veteran stage presence while singing lead vocals on Dion’s “Runaround Sue,” backed by the rest of the male cast.
Another highlight was the production’s inclusion of Adelphi’s Lower Schoolers, who arguably stole the show with animated performances of “Moves Like Jagger” by Maroon 5, “ABC” by the Jackson 5 and “I Want You to Want Me” by Cheap Trick. Adelphi’s Theater Arts Director Ms. Nikki Fregara also performed alongside her cast, belting out lead vocals on songs like “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder, “Firework” by Katy Perry and “December 1963 (Oh, What a Night)” by The Four Seasons.
Lower Schoolers arguably stole the show!
“It seems like it was only yesterday that Adelphi produced its first original musical revue in the spring of 2014 and during my first year as Head of School,” Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn Head of School Ms. Iphigenia Romanos said. “Since its founding in 1863, Adelphi has always remained dedicated to the education of the total child and a well-rounded and hands-on experience in the arts is such an important part of that philosophy and commitment. I am so proud of all of the evening’s performers and thankful to our talented alumni and the entire Adelphi community for their support of the Academy’s wonderful Theater Arts Program.”
As the oldest private, independent, continuing, coeducational, college-preparatory day school in the borough and one of the oldest in the nation, Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn, “the little school of big dreams” has been “effectively preparing young people for college, career, and life, one day at a time” for over 150 years. Founded in 1863 and located in the historic Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, Adelphi enrolls students from two years of age through twelfth grade. A strong emphasis is placed on small class size, individualized attention, self expression, critical thinking and challenging hands-on learning through Adelphi’s founding philosophy and dedication to the education of the “total child.” Adelphi students excel within a small, intimate, safe, caring, nurturing, and secure environment through Adelphi’s core values and founding principles of pride, tradition, spirit, and excellence. The student-teacher ratio is 8 to 1 and Adelphi is a New York State Regents Exempt Program with a 100% college application, acceptance and attendance rate. A founding member of the Coalition of Essential Schools, Adelphi receives its charter from the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York and has been a member of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools since 1928. Ms. Iphigenia Romanos serves as Head of School.
* * *
Photos courtesy of Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn