In an auditorium packed with high school students, as well as an assortment of parents and other guests, shouts of enjoyment were raised by countless teenagers last Thursday evening, March 18. The screaming fans cheered and jeered a few dozen talented and courageous members of the staff and administration. Throughout the two half-hour acts, entertainment that ranged from enjoyable to downright impressive delighted the crowd.

The combined teacher-student talent show, backed by a fairly large production staff, according to the printed program, was sponsored by the National Honor Society and the North Haven High School Student Council. Three enthusiastic journalism students from Chris McLaughlin’s class, Kalie Siciliano, Susan Gambardella, and Kenechi Odukwe, had personally choreographed a number entitled “Jersey Shore Boys” and managed to make their cheers heard over the booming speakers on the stage.

Principal Russell Dallai was a smash hit in the five-man team of Jersey Shore dancers who handled their complicated steps like professionals. In addition to a talented principal and journalism teacher, the equally talented guys from the Jersey Shore included Ray Degnan, Larry DiBernardo, and Justin Marciano. Justin had opened the evening playing keyboard while singing a song about “what students dream of.”

After the show Dr. Dallai said, “The students are terrific. They are supportive and positive. The Student Council has once again put on an enjoyable, successful teacher talent show. A number of teachers gave of their time to prepare and deliver an entertaining evening in the name of charity.”

In the first act, comedic Kathryn Grassi and Ashleigh Holt joined in singing “What is This Feeling?” The unexpected answer was “loathing!” Next, Scott Bonito was the lead actor in a fast paced skit called “Sure Thing.” The humorous performance also included Grassi and Holt. To close the first act, R.J. Notaro as Sonny, and a very tall and brawny Anthony Sagnella as Cher, performed an outrageously funny rendition of “I Got You Babe.” Predictably, Cher carried Sonny off stage at the conclusion of the travesty.

As the curtain opened on the second act, a rocking Larry DiBernardo, James Eager, Anthony Giordano, Chris Moore and Dan O’Brien were truly “Jammin’” as they slyly informed the crowd that the “Board of Education is a source of duplication.” Chorus instructor Ashleigh Holt proved why she was the teacher in charge as she sounded like a finalist on American Idol singing “A Way Back to Then.” The next performance featured 15 singers and dancers who delivered a rousing song entitled “Car Wash.”

Swinging buckets and swaying to the beat of the music like a Broadway musical troupe, the following performers who sponged down the moving props were simply amazing. In addition to the jammin’ band, they were: Pat Bingham, Alessandra Brownell, Janet Crean, Donna Darcy, Carla DeStefanis, Marylee DiGennaro, Linda Hronis, Karen Johnson, Laurie Magoveny, Gail Pietrycha, Elsa Ruoff, Cheryl Thompson, Nancy Tingley, and Edwina Vece. At the close of the number, a seemingly surprised Principal Dallai was sprayed with real water when he drove up in his antique car with the windows lowered.

To close the popular annual show, the band continued to jam as every member of the cast entered the stage from the side aisles of the auditorium after passing by and knocking on a copy of the door to the principal’s office while singing another original musical piece entitled “Knockin’ on Dallai’s Door.” The popular number seemed to go on forever to the delight of the enthusiastic student body, many screaming out the names of their favorite members of the staff assembled before them. Anyone witnessing the event was bound to leave the place feelin’ groovy.

All profits from the event, including those from the refreshments available in the lobby during the intermission, were donated to the two charitable causes of the night: Habitat for Humanity and the Ronald McDonald House.