<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2TWfVV_1GzF8kyv00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2TWfVV_1GzF8kyv00" width="1920" height="1326" ><figcaption>The Groton Junior High School will present its first-ever musical, Matilda Jr., at 7 p.m. Thursday, October 19. The cast is pictured here. Bottom center is Peyton Conger, student director. Front row (left): Caitlynn Goff, Simon LeBlanc, Alice Ingrahm, Lauren Ingram, Ryker Strange, Tucker Perrine, Lauren Belcher, Corinne Dwyer, Lucas St. Clair. Second row: Kayla Lyon (co-director), Violet Prugh, Addison Gallow, Julia Parker, Colton Goff, Sophia Kizis. Third row: Hayden Houck, Carly Costa, Khloe Dravecky, Bella Norton, Aaliyah Frost, Spencer Wulf, Zoe Touchton. Top row: Laelynn Buchalla, Chloe Fish, Olivia Owens, Evelyn Botsford, Eliana Touchton, Alida Converse, Amaiya Hinton, Emily Montgomery, Charlotte Scott, Trillium Nash, Adelin Strange, Zeke Touchton. Not present for photo were Lenora Salzer (co-director), Belle Brockway, Fiona Cummings, Maggie Fennimore, Isabella Miranda, Emaline Mitchell, Kendall Porter.</figcaption></figure>The Groton Jr./Sr. High School (GHS) stage has been graced with stellar musicals performed by its senior high drama club for more than two decades. Similarly, the students in GHS’s junior high have presented excellent plays, but for the first time ever, that contingency of students will perform a musical — the Broadway-licensed musical production of “Matilda JR.” — under the direction of Kayla Lyon and Lenora Salzler, co-directors.Lyon is a 2008 alumna of GHS who earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre arts from Nazareth College in 2012. She currently owns and operates an event-planning business based in the Finger Lakes region. Lyon began assisting Annette Twitchell with GHS musicals 14 years ago and has proudly directed the junior high productions for the past 12 years.Salzler teaches general music and vocal coaching for GHS, and she has been involved with the GHS musicals for about three years.Along with Lyon and Salzler, Peyton Conger, a sophomore, is the student director for the show. Brian Twitchell is the technical director, and Brendan Komala is the set consultant. Ninth-grader Aoife Cummings and senior Brooklan Strange are assisting with choreography.Synopsis of the show“Matilda JR.” is the story of a girl who dreams of a better life, and the children she inspires will have audiences rooting for the "revolting children" who are out to teach the grown-ups a lesson. Matilda has astonishing wit, intelligence and special powers! She's unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey. Matilda's school life isn't completely smooth sailing, however — the school's mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don't abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts and could be the school pupils' saving grace!What some of the cast members had to saySeventh-grader Corinne Dwyer, who plays Matilda, is no stranger to the stage. She played Little Cosette in “Les Misérables” and Cindy Lou Who in “Seussical.” She was also part of the casts of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and “Oliver!” for GHS, as well as a number of musicals during summer theater camps she has attended.“I’m so proud that I get to be playing the lead in such a great crowd and getting to know new people,” Dwyer said. “This is our first real musical, and we’ve put a lot of hard work, effort and hours into it.”Tucker Perrine, seventh grade, will play the role of Nigel. He has been in “Seussical,” “Oliver!” and “Peter Panic,” in which he played a main role.“I’m really happy and excited that I got the role I wanted,” Perrine said. “This was my favorite movie when I was younger, and I’m so glad that I get to perform in it. This show is a good way to express feelings and a cool thing to see and do on a Thursday night to see how we do.”Playing Miss Trunchbull is eighth-grader Bella Norton, who has been in “Oliver!,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and “The Wax Museum.” She played the role of Simone in “Peter Panic.”“I really enjoy the great environment and like playing this role,” Norton said. “My character is very mean — the opposite of me — so it’s very fun and interesting. We’ve put a lot of work into this, and our cast has the ability to put on a great show!”Lucas St. Clair is in seventh grade and will play the role of Eric. He played the role of John in “Peter Panic” and was in the chorus for “Seussical.”“I’m the first one to sing in this show, so I’m a little scared about everyone staring at me,” St. Clair said. “It’s a really fun show — really entertaining. It’s very funny, but also sad in some spots.”Eighth-grader Zoe Touchton will play the librarian. She has been in “Oliver!” and “Peter Panic” at GHS and in “Annie JR.” with Running to Places. Outside of her many involvements with sports and other school activities, Touchton also takes guitar, piano and voice lessons.“This is a common show that a lot of people know and the first year we’ve had a musical,” Touchton said. “The cast is really excited for it, and I’m lucky to be with this cast. This is also the last year I’ll be in a junior-high show with all my siblings." Her twin, Zeke, will move up with her to the senior high, while her sister, Eliana, will remain, as she is a rising eighth grader.Ryker Strange is in sixth grade and will play the role of Bruce Bogtrotter. He is very involved in sports and other school activities, but this is his first time on stage.“I’m a little nervous, but not as much as usual,” Strange said. “It’s awesome to be performing for my family and other people. This show can be very informational. If you’re being bullied, stand up for yourself! No one should be bullied!”“I am especially excited to bring Matilda JR. to the Groton stage,” Lyon said. “Each year, the students continue to amaze and inspire me with their talent, dedication and enthusiasm. I couldn't be prouder of the hard work they have put into this production, and I’m thrilled to share their accomplishments with the community!”There will be one performance of “Matilda JR.,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19 in the GHS auditorium, 400 Peru Rd. Ticket cost is $8 per adult and $5 per student; children under age 3 are free.Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at 607-227-4922. In brief:Veterans Day dinnerThe Groton American Legion Post 800 will hold a Veterans Day dinner Saturday, Nov. 14. There will be a cash bar cocktail hour from 5 to 6 p.m. A commemorative program will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a roast pork dinner with all the trimmings. Free to all veterans and one guest. Legion membership is not required, but reservations are required by calling 607-898-3837.Energy efficiency workshopThe Groton Public Library will hold a free lunch &amp; learn workshop at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 18. Come and learn about weatherization and energy efficiency programs for the upcoming colder months. Leigh Miller, from Cornell Cooperative Extension, will give the presentation.Pizza will be provided. Free kits of DIY energy supplies will be given to all participants. For more information, call 607-898-5055 or email director@grotonpubliclibrary.org.</div></body>

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The Groton Jr./Sr. High School (GHS) stage has been graced with stellar musicals performed by its senior high drama club for more than two decades. Similarly, the students in GHS’s junior high have presented excellent plays, but for the first time ever, that contingency of students will perform a musical — the Broadway-licensed musical production of “Matilda JR.” — under the direction of Kayla Lyon and Lenora Salzler, co-directors.

Groton Junior High School cast presents “Matilda JR.”

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The Groton Jr./Sr. High School (GHS) stage has been graced with stellar musicals performed by its senior high drama club for more than two decades. Similar

Groton Junior High School cast presents “Matilda JR.”

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