DYPAC presents ‘Phantom of the Opera’ at Trenton Village Theatre
TRENTON — Andrew Lloyd Webber’s world-renowned musical, "The Phantom of the Opera" is being presented by the Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center (DYPAC) at the Trenton Village Theater on April 12-14 and April 19-21.
The show’s cast features five Monroe County students in leading roles.
Airport High School junior Reagan Lewis of South Rockwood and Flat Rock resident Parker Watson star as Christine Daae and The Phantom and St. Mary Catholic Central High School senior Jacob Smith is featured as Christine’s love interest, Vicomte Raoul de Chagny.
Carlson High School senior MacKenna Tocco is also cast as Madame Giry, the Opera House’s ballet mistress and Noah Rodriguez is appearing as Monsieur Gilles Andre, one of the Opera House managers.
The show features several Monroe County students in other ensemble and other supporting roles. Due to the taxing vocal nature of the roles, Phantom and Christine have been double cast, with Reagan and Parker starring in the April 12, 14, and 20 shows.
Lewis and Watson have both been performing in shows through DYPAC for nearly a decade. This is their first opportunity to play lead roles together.
“We are both huge fans of Phantom and these are dream roles for both of us,” Reagan Lewis of South Rockwood, said in a written statement.
Lewis has attended a three-week classical voice and opera program at the Interlochen Center for the Arts Summer Camp for the past three years, and studies voice and piano privately as well. She is also a member of Varsity Voices, Airport High School’s honor choir, conducted by Sydney Timmer.
Watson has been heavily involved in dozens of stage productions through DYPAC and other venues, both as an on-stage performer and in a variety of lighting, sound and production roles.
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Smith, 17, of South Rockwood, was selected to participate in the two-week intensive acting program at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles, and has attended the intensive musical theater summer program at Interlochen.
Tocco, 17, of Brownstown, has had leading roles in numerous DYPAC shows over the past decade, has participated in Carlson’s theater and choir programs, and has been accepted into Oakland University’s Musical Theater program for next year.
Rodriguez, 15, of Flat Rock has been an avid performer for the last ten years, both at DYPAC and for Flat Rock High. He is 15-years-old.
"The Phantom of the Opera" is directed by Mary Zaleski and produced by Karen Rutkowski, with music and vocals by Audra Baas of Newport, an Airport High School graduate.
For show times and to purchase tickets for "The Phantom of the Opera" and future shows, visit dypac.com or visit the DYPAC Facebook page.
Founded in 1998, DYPAC is a 501(c)3 organization based in Trenton and founded in 1998, whose mission is to provide a complete state-of-the-art performance and learning center, allowing Downriver youth to experience, learn, teach, and perform in a variety of artistic areas.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: DYPAC presents ‘Phantom of the Opera’ at Trenton Village Theatre
