Who would have guessed that when Cathyann Roding and Toni Cartisano produced their first musical in 1986 at Branford High School they would still be doing it 30 years later?
That musical – “Pippin” – was the first for this dynamic duo, who have followed with well-known hits as “The Music Man,” “42nd Street,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “West Side Story,” and even “Phantom of the Opera,” just to mention a few.
And this year they take on the blockbuster musical, “Les Miserables.”
Roding, who is in her 30th year of teaching in Branford, is the director of Choral Music. Over the years her group has sung in such places as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center. They have also performed on tours in England, Italy, Austria, Ireland and Spain.
She previously taught in New York and South Carolina. She received her bachelor’s degree from Long Island University and did her master’s work at Hartt School of Music.
Cartisano teamed with Roding when she started at BHS, serving as an assistant with the production of “Pippin.” She debuted as director in 1987 with the production of “South Pacific.” Cartisano taught at Branford for 35 years and retired in 2005.
Together they have produced many of the top Broadway musicals for the high school community.
Roding and Cartisano are still at it and have taken on Les Miserables, as the play for their 30th year. The original Victor Hugo novel is set in 19th century France and tells the story of prisoner-on-parole, 24601, Jean Valjean as he runs from the ruthless Inspector Javert (pictured) on a lifetime journey seeking redemption.
This engaging production includes some very talented student performers. It is well worth attending this week, running Wednesday through Sunday. Tickets are still available for Wednesday, Thursday or Friday only. Adult tickets cost $18 and tickets for students and seniors cost $15. Tickets are available at the box office 30 minutes before the play.
Lead Actors in the Musical
Dan Frye, a senior, is featured as Jean Valjean, prisoner 24601.
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Chris Dormer, a senior, plays the role of Javert, the ruthless inspector.
Sasha Shpitalnik, a senior, is cast as Fantine, a working class girl with a child. She turns to prostitution to pay for her daughter’s care.
Lily Kirby is a junior, who plays Cosette the young child of Fantine.
Marissa Salazar, a senior plays Madame Thenardier, wife of the evil innkeeper. Here she is singing in her Inn.
Thenardier, the evil innkeeper, played by Spencer Steinke.
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