Local community members may notice some familiar young faces in a commercial airing on Channel 11- WPXI that encourages viewers to check out the station s Web site.
Carlynton High School students were showcased in the 30-second spot to promote spring musicals in area schools.
The "Dames at Sea," cast performed a number from their spring musical alongside professional performer Natalie Gallo -- who recently won WPXI s "Gimme the Mike," competition.
Gallo, who will embark on a six-month European cruise ship tour through Stiletto Entertainment, was more than happy to chat about her experience working with Carlynton students.
She says the experience brought back a lot of memories from her high school musical days, and that time was one of the best in her life.
"It was nice because I could tell they are a really talented group of kids.
You can just tell that they were really enjoying themselves and really love what they re doing. I wish I had more time to talk to the students, but it was a great opportunity for them and for me as well," Gallo says.
"It is a great opportunity to get more communities involved in theater.
The more people involved in theater, the better. I think it s going to change the way people feel about theater. For Carlynton to be chosen as the school -- they should be proud.
They have a great production team and they re a great group of kids. They re really going to put on a fantastic show. I wish more schools had the opportunity.
"
Carlynton s "Dames at Sea," is a spoof of the 1930s-style movie musicals and it is set in the big apple. The musical features book and lyrics by George Haimsohn and Robin Miller, and music by Jim Wise.
"This is my first year (in the musical)," says senior Vince Butera, who plays a sailor and is also in the chorus.
"It s been fun. You get to know more people. I like to see how it all plays out.
Just doing all of the little parts and putting it all together and seeing how it looks. I m proud (Carlynton was chosen for this.) I know we have a good history.
My brother was always in the music section."
Vince s brother, Mario, now in college, always played percussion in the yearly musical s orchestra pit.
Writer and producer Jessica Romano, of WPXI-TV s Creative Services department, says the station wanted to use local high school students as the focus of the "High School Shows" campaign for wpxi.
com.
"We ve done some other projects similar to this, and we like to go to different places to show off the talent all over the area," she says.
"Carlynton is a small district, but is full of talent.
It seemed like the
perfect place to showcase."
As an alum, Romano was thrilled Carlynton was chosen.
She had the opportunity to see the producers, directors, and choreographer that she had worked with when she attended to the school.
"I wasn t surprised to see how great the students are --they are full of energy and did a great job for us," Romano says.
"We hope High School Shows on wpxi.com will draw lots of attention to the wonderful productions done all over the area.
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Junior Adrienne Grapes has been performing the Carlynton s musicals for three years now, and plays the role of "Madame Sin Sin," in Dames at Sea.
"I thought that was amazing (we were selected). I know Carlynton has such a great reputation for musicals and I think that s exciting," she says.
"I really like that through the practices and the show that all of the kids really become a family and it s really rewarding to perform on stage, and get so much credit for it."
Leads senior Sarah Zielinski who plays "Ruby," and sophomore Zach Kapeluck who plays "Dick," agree on the positives of the opportunity to make a commercial.
"It was a really neat experience with the television crews coming in.
I am going to Point Park and will be majoring in dance -- so it s a good experience," Sarah says.
She performed in her first Carlynton musical in second grade and then again consecutively over the last four years.
Zach, who has been dancing 12 years, scored his first role as an eighth-grader and performed in last year s musical.
"I think this is good publicity for our school. It s a good opportunity to get our musical out there and let people know what we re doing," he says.
"We re all just a big family.
It s a lot of fun to be able to work together and have fun together at the same time. I think that s what I enjoy most about it."
To view the 30-second spot and additional behind-the-scenes footage, visit and click on "High School Shows.
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"Dames at Sea," will run at Carlynton Junior-Senior High School from Thursday, March 29 through April 1.
For more information, or to order tickets visit and the musical is listed under the left junior/senior high link.
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