The following is a press release from the Rumson School District:
From soulful ballads by talented vocalists and stirring performances by accomplished pianists, to comedy and dance extravaganzas and even a hard rock performance, there was something for everyone at the Forrestdale Follies talent show.
Presented by the Rumson Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), the Follies took place on the evening of April 16 in the school’s auditorium. Proceeds benefited the Rumson PTO.
“There’s nothing more exciting and gratifying than seeing these brave and talented kids get out there and perform for their peers,” said Director Marnie Doherty, who chaired the event. Forrestdale Music Teacher John Lebitsch was production master, and PTO parent assistants were Debbie Abazia, Allison Connery-Green and Yolanda Fleming.
Individual performers were: Max Connery, Karn Evil 9 (piano); Grace Harvey, The Entertainer (piano); Elizabeth Maher, Somewhere Over the Rainbow (piano and vocals); Hayden Marciszewski, Sonatina Op. 20. No. I (piano) and You Raise Me Up (piano and vocals); Elizabeth Sackinger, He’s a Pirate (piano); Ava Correra, Gravity Falls (Piano); Eva Gross, Balloons (vocals); Gray Barnum, Take Back the Night (piano); Hannah Duprey, Fandango (piano); Lula Grand, Riptide (vocals); Mackenzie Doherty, “e’ccosaise” (piano).
Duos and group performers were: Audrey Beyer and Mackenzie Doherty, Super Star (dance); Tristan and Tyler Izzo, Clocks (piano duet); Quinn Rinkus and Giuliana Ming, Castle on a Cloud (vocal duet); Lilly Scott, Brooke Bosonac, and Rachel Smith, Clarity (vocals and dance); Julia Fleming and Gabby Colicchio, Forget You (vocals, with piano by Max Connery); Reese Bosonac, Norah Anderson, Grace Werner, Maggie Gilbert, and Dylan Cahill, Freaks Like Me (dance); Sofia Scandarioto and Lilly Light, Weekend Update (comedy); Chloe Bloom, Madeleine Ganun, and Ariana Pappas, Your Lips Are Moving (dance); Max Squared — Max Connery and Max Tidalgo, Careless Whisper (piano and vocals).
Forrestdale students providing assistance as Tech Crew members were James Leutz, Peyton Ming, Ryan Toth and Adam Young.
Highlights of the evening included a rousing finale by all the participants as well as the first live performance by THE UNCOMMON CORE.
The super-group consisting of Forrestdale staff members — Keith Laviola on guitar, John Lebitsch on keyboard, Chris Macioch as vocalist, Jim Schnappauf on drums, and Fred Teschke on bass guitar — brought down the house with their rendition of Ironman.
“The caliber of talent in our school is truly amazing,” Forrestdale Assistant Principal Amy Romano said. “I am thankful and appreciative that we are able to host a show like this, allowing the Forrestdale students to shine and share their talents.”