By Alexandra Napoli
Staff Writer
The SBU Hip-Hop Team and Bonacoustics became the Whos of Whoville during their 2012 Christmas show, “Mr. Grinch,” Tuesday and Wednesday in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts.
Chatter and anticipation filled the lobby of the Quick Center before the show. Once the doors opened, and the stage lights turned on, the Hip-Hop Team dominated with glittery, festive costumes and excited faces.
Freshman journalism and mass communication major Gaby Tovar expressed her excitement as she watched the dancers take the stage.
“These costumes are ridiculous,” Tovar said. “They’re so fun and creative,”
The musical was Bonaventure’s adaptation of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” The Grinch, played by admissions counselor Mike Dlugosz, ’12, sported a green furry suit and epitomized the true character of the Grinch.
Clarita Lemire, a dancer from the Demarco Sisters School of Dance, played the adorable Cindy Lou Who. Lemire, a sixth grader at Allegany-Limestone, along with other young dancers from the Demarco Sisters School of Dance in Jamestown, accompanied Bonacoustics by playing rag dolls in a toy store.
The Hip-Hop team displayed unique and interesting choreography. Before a few Whos entered the Grinch’s lair, the Hip-Hop Team entered the stage with skeleton costumes and a black light. The sharp movements of their arms and heads were in perfect unison and gave the show an eerie effect. The creative choreography carried on for the entire show; dancers were lifted into the air to perform flips and daring jumps, keeping the audience entertained.
The show’s soundtrack provided an interesting and unique spin to the story. Although the show included many traditional Christmas songs, such as “Where are you Christmas” and “Silent Night,” show director Justine Haskell, a junior psychology major, incorporated modern songs like Michael Jackson’s “Bad” and “Who Let the Dogs Out” by The Baha Men. They added a refreshing twist to such a traditional story.
Bonacoustics showed the audience its talents through perfect harmonies and breath-taking solos. Emily Doherty, a freshman journalism and mass communication major in Bonacoustics, confidently sang “Where are you Christmas,” while dancers performed in the background.
With so much hustle and bustle in the town of Whoville, major props were needed. The ends of the stage were covered in big Christmas trees, presents and lights. The props used throughout the show caught everyone’s eyes.
In a minor prop mishap at the Tuesday performance, the Grinch’s sled tipped over and the Christmas tree broke into two pieces on stage during the show. However, Dlugosz and the cast were able to continue the scene with ease — and a lot of laughter from the audience. Based on the audience’s reaction, these technical difficulties only made the event all the more special.
“That was probably the funniest part of the show,” said Morgan Statt, a freshman journalism and mass communication major. “But the actors didn’t even flinch; they just went along with it. It was great!”
Anyone who attended could see how many days of preparation and practice went into the show.
Charnice McMillion-Martin, a freshman sports studies major and Hip-Hop Team member, showed her anticipation a few days prior to the performances.
“I just came back from practice— I was dancing for six hours!” Martin said. “You all better come to the show, it’s gonna be good!” Martin was right.
The singing, dancing and acting thoughout the entire performance was a great way to start off the holiday season at St. Bonaventure. There is no doubt the Hip-Hop Team, Bonacoustics and the Demarco Sisters School of Dance spread Christmas cheer with this fanstastic show.
