Sonoma students star in Justin-Siena’s ‘Encore’

The show runs March 15-17, 22-24, at the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater.|

‘Encore’

When: March 15 to 17, 22 to 24

Where: Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater

Tickets: justin-siena.org

Justin-Siena High School is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a celebration of musical theater’s greatest hits. Its spring musical production, which stars almost a dozen Sonoma Valley students, is called “Encore.”

The Napa Catholic high school’s first musical production was “My Fair Lady” in 1969, and its first musical production at Lincoln Theater was “Phantom of the Opera” in 2011.

“Encore” includes musical numbers from such Broadway favorites as “My Fair Lady,” “Pippin,” “Oklahoma,” “Annie Get Your Gun,” “South Pacific,” “West Side Story,” “The Pirates of Penzance,” “Godspell,” “Singing in the Rain,” “Les Miserables,” “Grease,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “A Chorus Line,” “Evita,” “Footloose” and more.

The show runs March 15 to 17 and March 22 to 24, at the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center’s Lincoln Theater.

“‘Encore’ is a true celebration of the last 50 years of Justin-Siena Theatre comprised of current students and alumni guest artists through the decades,” said James Thomas Bailey, Justin’s theater director. “We are honoring the history of the program and the much-loved directors who have guided so many students through the years.”

The Sonoma Valley students who are participating in the show include freshmen Alexander Antenen, Natalie Ervin, Taylor Undercoffer and Lindsey Walthard; sophomore Kaitlin O’Neill; juniors Matthew Baumann, Mia Johnson, Morgan Dalcamo and Sidney Horne; and seniors Rose McGovern and Shawnee Wallace.

“There are about 70 students in the cast and crew plus more than a dozen alums returning to the JS stage as part of the celebration,” said Bailey.

He described the set as similar to a rock concert with a giant video wall and lights, and a 10-piece band in the pit.

Justin-Siena’s 50th anniversary honoree is Tom Durante, class of ‘93, and owner of Sonoma-based Lux Productions lighting and event production company. He will be feted at Justin’s gala party celebrating five decades of the school’s musical theater program on Sunday, March 17, on the high school campus.

Durante said he was a performer throughout his time at Justin.

“It gave me an opportunity to learn about and be exposed to theater,” he said. “I made some of my closest friends in theater and I keep in touch with many of them today.”

He and his company, Lux, have been providing lighting and design services for Justin’s theater program and other school events for about 15 years.

Durante said that he is “extremely honored” to be celebrated by the school.

“There has been such amazing talent coming through the program, so for them to honor me is extremely humbling,” he said.

Durante has seen “Encore” several times now in rehearsals.

“The audience is really going to enjoy this opportunity to see scenes from all of their favorite musicals in one sitting,” he said.

‘Encore’

When: March 15 to 17, 22 to 24

Where: Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater

Tickets: justin-siena.org

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