Middle Schools Theatre Productions

Martin and Riverside middle schools are presenting their annual musical theatre productions this month at both schools respectively. The middle schools have traditionally produced professional level quality shows. "Riverside Middle School is proud to present this blockbuster show - Fame! It is fully staged and choreographed," said Riverside chorus and theatrical director John Baldaia. "The sound and light extravaganza is sure to bring the magic of youth theater alive. Please mark your calendars and come on out in support of your school and the students of RMS. They can't wait to show you their love of theater and all the hard work," urged Baldaia.

Fame will be presented on Thursday May 11th, Friday May 12th and Saturday May 13th. All show times are at 7:00 pm at RMS on Forbes Street, Riverside. Tickets available at the door are $5 for students and $10 for adults. Tickets can also be obtained at the school.

Martin Middle School to present Disney's Aladdin. "The Martin Theatre Co. (MTC) of Martin Middle School in East Providence is gearing up for its first musical theatre production in history - Aladdin," said MMS teacher Judy DePerla. "After 20 years of performing straight plays for East Providence, the MTC is kicking things up a notch. Our stellar middle school cast is full of seasoned actors, award-winning singers, and formally trained dancers. All this paired with concessions, Disney Trivia as a preshow event, and an absolutely magical set, the audience is guaranteed to be whisked away into a whole new world. A perfect event for all ages," DePerla added.

Aladdin will take place at Martin Middle School on Brown Street on Friday, June 2nd at 7 pm. The show also will be held on Saturday, June 3rd at 1 pm and again at 7 pm. Tickets at the door are $5 for students and $10 for adults. Tickets can also be purchased through a cast/crew member in advance for a discounted price.

East Providence Music Teacher - RI Music Hall of Fame Inductee:

In an added note of interest, current Riverside Middle School chorus director, John Baldaia, is a 2017 Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame inductee. In 1975, guitarists John Baldaia and Paul Gaudette, bassist Pat Davis, and drummer David Bottai formed The Wild Turkey Band in Pawtucket. Their rootsy repertoire (Van Morrison, the Dead, Reggae, Blues) proved a hit and by 1977, they were on top of the scene. In 1978, after adding Peter Hadden on sax and Eric North on keys, they introduced originals by Baldaia and band mates into the mix and their fan base soon covered the entire Northeast. In 1980, Baldaia left the group to pursue a career in jazz and currently teaches music in East Providence at RMS. The Wild Turkey band eventually became the Hometown Rockers.

Baldaia's band also joins the Riverside - based early seventies band, RIZZZ as Hall of Fame inductees. Six of the 7 original RIZZZ band members were graduates of East Providence High School. educator Frank Potenza; influential Newport alternative band Throwing Muses; the Wild Turkey Band/Hometown Rockers and Ep's Rizzz, a fixture on the local scene in the 1970s. Baldaia and the RIZZZ band were inducted in a ceremony on Sunday April 30th at the Met in Pawtucket. See the full article on RIZZZ and Wild Turkey in the March issue of The Reporter.