For the second of its biannual Manhattan field trips, Concert Choir took to the city on Wednesday, Apr. 9 for a jam-packed day, full of improvisation, ice cream, and Nicole Scherzinger.
Beginning at 8:15 a.m. in the orchestra room, Concert Choir students gathered, ready for the full-day excursion. After a packed rush hour ride on the Long Island Rail Road into Penn Station, the students and their three chaperones walked five blocks north to Ripley-Grier studios, one of Manhattan’s premier rehearsal spaces, celebrated for its varied performances. Before the Kathy Searle-led Broadway workshop, many of the young performers opted for a quick caffeine pick-me-up from the Dunkin’ or Gregory’s Coffee next door.
After their performance-based workshop in November, many Concert Choir students were ready for a change and were excited about the new workshop’s focus on acting. Searle, who has appeared in numerous television shows and commercials, led the improvisation and theatre games workshop, allowing the young actors to channel their inner creativity and expression. “My favorite part of the workshop was when [Kathy] got us out of our comfort zone, and that made us really connect with each other,” sophomore Mikayla Torres explained. Other students agreed that the nature of the workshop allowed for a true bonding experience among the “Con Choi Fam.” “Getting a creative sandbox to express ourselves and make each other laugh really got everyone’s energy up and brought everyone closer,” junior Jackson Reiser reflected.
The games included story-building exercises, assigning names to characters based on their gait, marketing a three-hole puncher as a completely new product, and creating a story based on a family photo “snapshot.” Chorus teacher Barry Wyner found this workshop to be invaluable to many of his students, especially those who plan on pursuing theatre, drama, or acting in any capacity. “[Improv] really opens the brain to pure creativity, and it allows everyone to let their guard down around each other, which helps bond the group. I thought the workshop would be fun for the students, but [it was] also educational for me to lead it in future classes,” Wyner shared.
At the conclusion of the workshop, Searle opened up to a mini Q&A session with the Concert Choir members, offering industry advice and sharing fun anecdotes about her acting experiences. Searle’s biggest piece of advice overall? Be kind and be you. “That was the biggest lesson that I learned—is that [the directors] haven’t met you yet. What do you bring to the story? All of you are needed. All of you are special and different,” Searle explained. She expressed gratitude to the students at the conclusion of the workshop, sharing that she has learned more from Concert Choir than from the adults in her life.
Following the giggles and fun with Searle, the group continued north to their landmark dining destination for each Concert Choir trip: the Playwright Celtic Pub. The students dined on hamburgers, chicken tenders, and french fries as they shared excitement over the Sunset Blvd. revival they would be watching in just two hours.
With lunch concluding early, Wyner gave his students 40 minutes of a “Choose Your Own Adventure” on 44th St. Within the confines of 7th and 8th Ave, Concert Choir could shop at Theatre Circle or grab dessert from Ben & Jerry’s or Shake Shack.
At 1:40 p.m., the class reconvened in front of St. James Theatre to grab their tickets for the Scherzinger-led production. Sunset Blvd. originally came to fame as a movie in 1950 and continues to top charts as one of the greatest films of all time. In the 1990s, Broadway composer Andrew Lloyd Webber crafted a score, turning the film into a complex musical; Patti Lupone starred as Norma Desmond, Sunset Blvd.’s leading lady, on the West End. The musical lost popularity in the 2000s, but the Jamie Lloyd Company spearheaded its revival in 2024.
Now, the avant-garde musical has regained its claim to fame, thanks to Scherzinger and her co-star, Tom Francis, who plays producer Joe Gillis. The new adaptation consists of a simple set, with all characters’ wardrobes consisting only of black and white. The musical’s main appeal is its use of camera and video technology to bring its central theme to life: a psychologically unsound, washed-up movie star attempting to enter the spotlight once again.
Many students went into the production blind, completely unsure of what to expect. Despite the uncertainty, the students walked away from the production in awe, appreciating the acting, vocals, orchestration, staging, and production design. “Although the improv class was incredible,” Reiser started, “Sunset Blvd. was by far the best show I’ve ever seen live. Everyone did fantastic, but Nicole Scherzinger’s performance particularly floored me.”
Although none of the actors were available to “stage door” after the 2 p.m. matinee, many students still walked away elated about the experience. “The show was incredible, and we really got to see the amazing artistry and the time they put into this show. I hope that my peers enjoyed this show with me,” Torres added.
After nearly 10 years of Concert Choir Broadway trips, Wyner continues to find value and joy in each one. “[Sunset Blvd.] had a hip factor because we had some students who are into it, and it has a pop star in the lead, and very slick marketing, but it’s also something I can feel good about presenting to students. It had very proper, legitimate, excellent singing, so it did have a strong educational component,” Wyner commented.
Additionally, Sunset Blvd. has been a cornerstone of Wyner’s musical journey since his start, so the trip had a sentimental aspect for him, too: “Whenever I get to share something that’s been part of my life with the students, it makes me reflect on my whole life and the journey. I love that feeling.”
Amidst the conclusion of Class Night, the Jazz ‘n’ Pop Concert, the school play, and the beginning of APs, Wyner’s goal was to create a day of true fun for his students. “Improv, the incredible experience of seeing a Broadway show with your friends, having lunch together, shopping a little bit—I wanted a day of pure togetherness, and I really feel like the mission was accomplished,” Wyner concluded.
