WHS’s Broadway Night ended on a very successful note on October 15, 2024 (6:00 p.m.). The event as a fundraiser, made around 800 dollars according to Mr. Lynch, a teacher at WHS. These funds overall came from audience entree fees. All concessions including drinks were free of expenses. This meaning anyone in the room could freely grab a sweet treat to eat. The money towards this event will help a lot will the spring musical this year.
“800 dollars, that pays for one of our mentor musicians, a backdrop if we use a backdrop, so it definitely helps the financial stuff,” Mr. Lynch stated.
The cafeteria was decorated in white tablecloths with candles and dimly lit light. There was slow, jazzy, cabaret type music in the background before the event started. Overall the vibes were calming and cozy, as Mr. T and Mr. Lynch intended. First, they had our current WHS students to sing their songs, then the alumni, then staff, and lastly Cece Resto.
Students who sang: Elyssa Gonazalez, Marisa Santiago, Jayani Payano Randy Peralta, Rosselyn “Freddie” Cruz, Alyssa Repace, Sophia Holness, Riley Stevens, and Aaron Crowell.
WHS alumni who sang: Samantha Wolther ‘20, Ed Griffin ‘13, Julianna Orzechowski ‘22, Fiona Tasarek ‘23, and Cece Resto ‘16.
Staff who sang: Mr. Tom Lynch, Mr. Jason Kohn, Ms. Justine Garcia, and Mr. Kelly W. Terrell.
Every year, Broadway Night consists of not only present and past students, but also WHS staff. Ms. Garcia gave insight on her background with Broadway Night.
“This is my third time, I am actually a huge Broadway person and I watch a ton of shows, at least once a month,” Ms. Garcia, art teacher at WHS stated. “I was always stage crew in high school, I did a lot of sets, a lot of stage-work, but I was never a performer.” Ms. Garcia was inspired to perform at Broadway Night because she started experiencing things that are out of her comfort zone.
Featured Alumni Attending Broadway Night
Cece Resto, this year’s featured alumni, delighted the audience. Her two song choices being “Kind of a Woman” from Pippen, and “What Do You Call a Man Like That?” from Bridges of Madison County. She graduated WHS in 2016, and has been working in regional theaters, choreographing, and teachings since then.
“She was good at WHS, she had played the Dolly part in ‘9 to 5’ the musical,” Mr Lynch stated. “But to see how much she had grown, we said ‘ooo if we have her back she can show us her growth.’”
Whether or not you went out to support Broadway Night, make sure you still get a hold of tickets for our 2025 spring musical, “Sister Act,” later in march!
