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Daily Digest
Steve Decker cleans up in front of BankNorth on Wednesday.
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More Snow
The Berkshires received several inches of snow this morning, but not enough to close schools, unlike yesterday's sleety mess. Temperatures will drop into the 20s this afternoon. A few more snow showers are expected through the weekend. |
Duff'em If You've Got'em
 North Adams Regional Hospital went smoke-free Monday — so did all its sister sites, from Sweet Brook to Northern Berkshire Family Practice to the Women's Exchange. No ashtrays, no smoking: No butts about it. |
Wanted: Eagle Eyes
MassWildlife's annual eagle count runs Dec. 31 to Jan. 14. Anyone sighting one of the regal birds in Massachusetts is asked to participate.
Send date, time, location and town of eagle sightings, number of birds, whether juvenile or adult and observer's contact information to Mass.wildlife@state.ma.us. |
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Like to Write?
 iBerkshires accepts submissions about local events, news and opinion pieces. There are openings for freelance work, too, for qualified candidates. E-mail tdaniels@iberkshires.com to find out more. |
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Other StuffMars Rovers Mark 5 Years
 Spirit and Opportunity have been trekking the red planet for half a decade. Spirit hit the 5-year mark on Sunday; Opportunity will on Jan. 24. |
Obama TransitionRelated Stories |
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'Aladdin' Takes the Stage at Adams MemorialBy Jen Thomas - February 07, 2008
 | Tyler Carpenter, as Iago, performs in the "Arabian Nights" sequence.
View Slide Show |
ADAMS - This Friday and Saturday night, some local students will be transporting audiences to "a whole new world."
This weekend, 35 Adams Memorial Middle School students will put on a production of Disney's "Aladdin Jr.," a fresh take on the old tale. Complete with performances of the classic songs "Arabian Nights," "A Whole New World" and "Friend Like Me," the musical features lavish costumes, elaborate sets and choreographed dance pieces.
"We're the only school in Berkshire County with a Broadway-style middle school production," said Mary Ann Caproni, the show's director and seventh-grade language arts teacher. "It takes a lot of work and these kids are just totally dedicated."
The group - which boasts not only actors but also lighting and audio technicians - has been rehearsing together since December. At the final rehearsal on Wednesday afternoon, many of the show's stars said they were excited for the premier this Thursday morning for C.T. Plunkett Elementary School pupils.
"I'm nervous for two reasons. I'm a lead part and I'm going to have to wear see-through pants," said Megan DeLuca, 12, who plays Genie. "Plus, a lot of my cousins from Plunkett are coming."
Dominick Demeo, 11, said he had a sure-fire way to make sure he's prepared for his first performance as the Sultan.
"Tonight, I'm going to practice my lines over and over and hope I don't forget them," said the sixth-grader.
During Wednesday's "find it and fix it" rehearsal, Caproni and the cast and crew worked out last-minute microphone problems and staging kinks as several actors tried on costumes and rehearsed the production's major musical scenes.
"I'm most excited and most nervous about singing 'A Whole New World,'" said Cassidy Matthew, 13, who portrays Jasmine, the Sultan's daughter and Aladdin's true love. "My voice cracked a couple of times and I don't want it to happen again."
At least one actor, though, isn't experiencing any preperformance jitters.
"I love being on stage in front of all those people. I like making people laugh," said Zachary Bantle, who plays the title role.
Plainclothes rehearsal on Wednesday. |
"I love playing Aladdin and I think the show is just going to get progressively better when we keep doing shows. I'm not nervous," he continued.
This is the ninth year that the middle school has put on a musical, all of them directed by Caproni. Using Music Theatre International's "Junior" series (which adapts theater productions for younger performers), Caproni has staged and choreographed most of the shows and taught the vocals herself.
"The show has really come together in the last few days," she said.
The public performances will take place on Friday, Feb. 8, and Saturday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium. Tickets are available in advance from cast members or by calling the school at 413-743-0554. Admission is $6 for adults and $5 for children. All tickets at the door are $7.
"I can't wait for the adrenaline. You know that feeling right before you get on the stage before a show? I love that," said Bantle. |
| Congratulations to my wonderful cast and crew on a very successful opening night. Special thanks go out to my assistant and choreographer Ashley Contois. Let's "break a leg" one more time around. Always remember that it's a "Whole New World" every day of your life. | | from: Mary Ann Caproni | on: 02-09-2008 |
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Oh my god our first night performance was awesome 8.75 rating just can't be better hearing the last ones we got but we were very very good last night and im proud of our whoooole cast we are the bomb!!! lol but our jafar had to be the best supporting us and giving out hugs when we need them he was great and so was zach {aladdin} with that we were all huggy last night!! hehe...
Meg DeLuca | | from: Meghan {genie} | on: 02-09-2008 |
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| I'm so excited to see the show and I know you're all going to be wonderful. Good Luck! | | from: Mrs. Betti | on: 02-08-2008 |
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Good luck Zach. Sorry we won't be able to see the performance. Break a leg!!!
Carm and Chuck Garivaltis | | from: Zach | on: 02-08-2008 |
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Good luck to the entire cast. You should be proud, you've worked your tails off!
| | from: Carrie (Zach's Mom) | on: 02-07-2008 |
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ZACH AND MEGHAN...
YOU'LL BE GREAT!! BREAK A LEG OUT THERE...AND REMEMBER WE ALL LOVE YOU AND ARE SO VERY PROUD OF BOTH OF YOU!
GO OUT THERE AND DO WHAT YOU TWO DO BEST...ACT, SING AND ENTERTAIN!:)
Love,
Sandie,Kyle,Bubba Jo, and Evan | | from: Meghan's mom | on: 02-07-2008 |
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