IlluminArt Productions lauds four Staten Islanders with a musical revue in Rossville — plus a surprise visit (2024)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — IlluminArt Productions, a Staten Island based non-profit organization whose mission is to empower students of all ages to utilize the arts as a tool to express themselves, honored four individuals who make a difference in the lives of Staten Islanders each and every day.

The event, staged at the Historic Old Bermuda Inn, included a musical revue performed by a cast of professional and volunteer singers from IlluminArt Staff, IlluminArt’s Touring Company, and other talented Staten Islanders.

Broadway tunes were incorporated into the program, as well as a Disney medley in honor of Disney’s 100th anniversary.

The event sponsors were National Grid, Con Edison, Flagstar Bank, Kelleher Financial Advisors, JCC of Staten Island, Opera Exposures, Rich Energy Solutions, and Linda and Alan Brill.

Honored during the fundraiser in Rossville were four deserving individuals:

Virginia Allen, CSI Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters and “Black Angel,” Gail Castellano, first vice president at Flagstar Bank, Dr. Nicole Reid Christopher, senior director of Implementation and Instruction at the New York City Department of Education and former Principal of PS 74, and David LaMorte (posthumously), assistant principal of Visual, Performing, and Career Arts at Tottenville High School and Director of the Staten Island Community Band. LaMorte’s brother, Michael LaMorte accepted the award on his brother’s behalf.

Also, Dr. Nicole Reid Christopher, senior director of Implementation and Instruction at the New York City Department of Education and former Principal at PS 74, was introduced by Hanin Hasweh, principal at PS 59, and David LaMorte (posthumously), assistant principal of Visual, Performing, and Career Arts at Tottenville High School and Director of the Staten Island Community Band, who was introduced by student Megan Lutz and former student Kaitlyn Lutz. And in what was a moving tribute to his brother, Michael LaMorte accepted the award.

Guests were treated to a surprise visit from the 2023 Division 4A New York State Champion Tottenville High School Marching Band.

A total of 70 band members lined up quietly outside of the room — that included the color guard — which marched around the back of the room with the drum line playing.

Following the award presentation the entourage played “Sweet Caroline” and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

David LaMorte’s wife, Joyce, said: “We are immensely thankful to IlluminArt for honoring Dave and his passion to spread love and joy to others through music. The outpouring of love and respect that was shown was wonderful. The performances were outstanding and our family was greatly touched by the surprise appearance of the Tottenville High School Marching Band, who performed ‘Sweet Caroline’ with the IlluminArt singers, for an incredible finale.”

IlluminArt Board Chair Alex Lutz said: “This year’s event was, once again, a fabulous demonstration of the immensely talented performers we have at IlluminArt. On behalf of our board, thank you to our entire cast, all our sponsors, to everyone who joined us for an afternoon of entertainment, and to our honorees for allowing us to celebrate their contributions to our community and their individual achievements. As someone who knew Dave LaMorte personally, I want to especially thank his wife, Joyce, and his entire family for allowing us to honor his legacy. I know he was looking down with pride as his kids, in his beloved Tottenville High School Marching Band, performed in his memory.”

The talented cast included Sami Blake, Flynn Jungbin Byun, Ma’ayan Feldman, Scott Feldman, J. Giachetti, Victoria Gullo, Tzipora Guttman, Ariel Marcus-Hollenbeck, Maia Konowitz, Elliot Lee, Nathaniel Lee, Roseann Marcus, Vichi Russo, Stefanie Schechter, Lisa Sloan, Christine Sloan-Ward, Kristi Sorkin, Eden Sorkin-Topper, Shari Stein-Ballow, and Randy Topper. The show was directed by J. Giachetti and Kristi Sorkin with musical director Michael Curcio.

THE MISSION OF ILLUMINART PRODUCTIONS

IlluminArt Productions’ mission is to empower students of all ages to utilize the arts to illuminate critical social issues, creating conversations for positive change.

It offers four programs: arts residencies in schools and senior centers, a Touring Company of professional actors who perform interactive plays about critical social issues, an Arts Empowerment program for young people impacted by adverse childhood experiences and Theatre for Young Audiences 4-11.For more information go to www.illuminart.org.