Mepham thespians sing for a cause

As is tradition, Mepham High School thespians used their talents to give back to the community when the Skull and Bones Drama Club hosted “A Night on Broadway” fundraiser on Sept. 18.

The annual charity performance features a two-act Broadway revue ensemble that is conceived, directed and performed by students. Guided by faculty adviser Edward Grosskreuz, the student actors and singers presented songs from “West Side Story” to “Motown: The Musical.”

Each year the students give proceeds collected through ticket, concession and ribbon sales, as well as donations, to a different charity. This year the group raised more than $3,300 for the Lustgarten Foundation, a nonprofit organization that funds pancreatic cancer treatment and prevention research.

Grosskreuz noted that the students put the show together on their own, adding that they practiced throughout the summer to stage the production and ensure that the fundraiser succeeded.

“The students were amazing,” he said. “Their dedication is inspiring. I couldn’t be more proud of these kids.”

Performers included Emily Fontanetta and Emily Garone, who sang “Somewhere” together; Liz Liquori, who sang “I Enjoy Being a Girl” from “Flower Drum Song” on the Mepham stage; Anthony Plantyn, who sang “For Once In My Life” to the acoustic accompaniment of Jacob Cutler and Jacob Geier; Samantha Pepe, Samantha Morgan, who performed “What Is This Feeling” from “Wicked” as an ensemble; and Kevin Burns, who delivered a solo rendition of “This Is The Moment” from “Jekyll and Hyde.” Max Perry, Melissa Berman, Bianca Picano and Matt Gibbons hosted the event.