Broadway comes to Bay Shore: Cast members from B-way’s “Chicago” coach Bay Shore High School students.
On February & March 6, “Chicago” Dance Captain David Bushman, and on-stage concertmaster, violinist Marshall Coid will be sharing their considerable expertise with 180 lucky Bay Shore high school students, who are preparing their own production of “Chicago” which will run from March 21st through 23rd. The coaching sessions will be held at Bay Shore High School.
The Bay Shore Schools Arts Education Fund (BSSAEF), the community based not-for-profit that brought 500 Bay Shore students to see the hit show “Hamilton” in 2016, is sponsoring two days of master classes conducted by Bushman and Coid. Students will get a master class in Bob Fosse’s choreography, as well as vocal coaching on how to best deliver the great songs of Kander and Ebb. Violinist Coid will coach both singers and the high school pit orchestra.
Fosse specialist, David Bushman, has been the Dance Captain of “Chicago” for eight years. The Dance Captain teaches and integrates replacements into the cast and works with the company to maintain the integrity of Fosse’s choreography. As Dance Captain of the longest running American musical on Broadway, as well as re-stager of the last 6 national tours, David Bushman has been teaching and coaching the style of Fosse to all level of dancers, from master classes to celebrities such as Brandy and Mel B. (The Fosse aesthetic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLdXwdltOL80 ) Violinist, Marshall Coid, who is also a professional singer, has been “concertmaster” of the on-stage orchestra for over 20 years. He has accompanied every Broadway cast member since the show opened in 1996.
Bay Shore’s long tradition of presenting an annual fully staged musical dates back to 1961. Current Theater Director, faculty member Chris Bilella is himself a Bay Shore graduate, as are Pit Orchestra Director Christine Sprague Mendolia and Vocal Director Katie Malpgili. “Our cast of Chicago is beyond excited to have this chance to work with Broadway professionals of this caliber,” said Bilella adding, “Most of the cast saw the Broadway show a few weeks ago and had a chance to meet and talk with the cast. Now we have a chance to work with the Dance Captain and concert master as we prepare our version of Chicago.” As far as anyone one can recall…this is the first time the students will receive coaching from veteran Broadway pros.
Tickets to Bay Shore’s production of Chicago can be purchased by calling (631) 748-9098 or by emailing BSHSdrama@bayshoreschools.org Show dates are March 21, 22 and 23 @ 7pm.
The Bay Shore Schools Arts Education Fund … enhancing cultural opportunities for all students in the Bay Shore School District
Each year BSSAEF underwrites cultural programs for Bay Shore students. To finance these cultural programs, the BSSAEF seeks funding from a variety of sources including private donations, corporate contributions and foundation grants. Mindful that not all families in the school district have ready access to the arts, the BSSAEF works hard to ensure that in Bay Shore the arts are for everyone.
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