- December 7, 2025
Jordan Linton plays Andy Lee during the opening night performance of "42nd Street" on Friday, Nov. 30. Linton is also the dance captain and assistant choreographer for the show. Photo by Zach Fedowa
Kate Dalia, director and theatre teacher, closes her eyes while in the energy circle before the show on Friday, Nov. 30. Photo by Zach Fedowa
Mary Morrow, onstage academy director, participates in the energy circle before the show on Friday, Nov. 30. Photo by Zach Fedowa
Kyle Bjorge, Cody Wyatt-Baranowski, lead tap dancer Leah Russo and dance captain Jordan Linton participate in the energy circle before the show on Friday, Nov. 30. Photo by Zach Fedowa
All of the cast and production crew gather in an "energy circle" before the show to help calm each others nerves on Friday, Nov. 30. Photo by Zach Fedowa
Hope Red, Edward Watson, Cassidy Trepanier, Abby Santore and Kira Heuring get ready for the show on Friday, Nov. 30. Photo by Zach Fedowa
Members of the audience watch Alexandra Coakley as Peggy Sawyer, and Nicholas Rossi as Billy Lawler performing "Young and Healthy" in Act I of "42nd Street" on Friday, Nov. 30. Photo by Zach Fedowa
Amanda Griffo as Dorothy Brock performs her singing solo as a part of the Shadow Waltz in Act I of "42nd Street" on Friday, Nov. 30. Photo by Zach Fedowa
Jordan Linton as Andy Lee leads the cast members in the Audition number as part of Act I of "42nd Street" on Friday, Nov. 30. Photo by Zach Fedowa
Director Kate Dalia and Natalie Alonzo laugh during the energy circle before the show on Friday, Nov. 30. Photo by Zach Fedowa
After hundreds of hours of planning, practice and teamwork — and with their theater teacher currently nine months pregnant — the Atlantic High School cast of "42nd Street" stepped up like never before to bring the 1980s broadway musical to life in their school's auditorium on Friday, Nov. 30.
Kate Dalia, director and theater teacher at AHS was so thankful and impressed at what her students accomplished. Due to her pregnancy, it has been difficult to play an active role in directing. But, the capability of her students has made everything easier.
"It's good that I'm pregnant," Dalia said. "Usually I would micromanage them, but they have taken on the responsibility. They did more than they thought they could."
On opening night, production team members accounted for how they impact the play while performing a role behind the scenes.
Cassidy Trepanier, lighting designer for "42nd Street" said she liked working with the musical's lighting because it can set the mood for the whole production.
"Lighting makes the show," she said.
Kira Heuring, a member of the ensemble, said it's great seeing the reactions of the audience.
"I love seeing them look happy and have a smile on their faces," Heuring said. "I want to make people feel a little something special."
Dalia praised her class, saying they're a close-knit group that has learned how to rely on one another during shows. As a director, she said the best part is being able to give her students tasks that they may not think they can do, and then seeing them accomplish so much more in the end.
She said there is so much more to theatre than a diva having the spotlight.
"Having that teamwork aspect and being able to work with people, even if you don't like them is the most important thing a high schooler can get out of theatre," Dalia said.
Before the showing, the more than 40 members of the cast gathered backstage and formed an energy circle. Dalia picked one student who has done something outstanding or who has overcome an obstacle to start the energy circle by squeezing the hand of the person next to them.
"In an energy circle, you close your eyes and hold hands," Dalia said. "It is symbolic for the idea that we are all one. It helps calm the butterflies you get before you are on stage."
