The Musical Department hosted a “Night of Music” event that involved performers of all ages. The event both raised money for this year’s musical and also provided an occasion to announce the highly anticipated musical selection.
The performers consisted of Newport alumni, current students, and faculty. The 12 acts included performances from alumni Zach Bellis, Lillee Shull, and Kailee Warner; Spanish teacher Mr. Craig Betts; juniors Riley Babski, Jordin Briggs, Sophia Griffin, Hannah Mallonee, and Kaj Miller; sophomore James Heisey, freshmen Hunter Erney and Paityn Warner; eighth-graders Madilyne Bailor and Abby Erney; and seventh-grader David Stewart.
Along with the performances, the audience enjoyed a professionally prepared meal of salad, spaghetti, bread, cheese hors d’oeuvres, and a dessert display of cupcakes and brownies. Unfortunately, it was abruptly interrupted when the fire alarm went off. After a few minutes in the cold, people returned to their seats and finished their meal. During the intermission, raffle prizes were drawn, and many people won gift baskets donated by local businesses.
This whole evening, students were taking guesses at what the new musical would be. The decorations were a key to the musical’s theme. Stewart made the correct guess at the beginning of the night.
Music teachers Mrs. Amy Finnerty and Mrs. Rebecca Wiles performed the last song of the night to make the announcement. As “We’re All In This Together” started playing, people knew exactly what it was. The students ran onto the stage to sing along with excitement for their new musical.
The new 2024-2025 musical is High School Musical, based on the 2006 Disney movie of the same name, and is scheduled for the last weekend in March. Auditions were held on Dec. 12 and 16.
The cast list came out on Dec. 20 and the first practices started this week. Tickets will be available Mar. 3 and will run on March 27-29.
