It’s been over two years since the theater program at Levittown’s Harry S. Truman High School has been in full swing, which means its initial show back is coming with a massive one-two punch.
On March 3-5, these talented teens are presenting Rocky in its first run since Broadway in 2014. Directed by Tracey Gatte, the musical stars senior Aidan Kinniry as Rocky Balboa and sophomore Jayden Gaines as his opponent Apollo Creed, and follows closely to the plotline of the award-winning 1976 film of the same name.
Ahead of the premiere on Thursday night, The Times caught up with Gatte, Kinniry and Gaines, all of whom are thrilled to hit the stage following COVID-19’s shutdown of the arts. Truman’s last large scale production of Kinky Boots occurred in December 2019, with the group able to offer only smaller one-acts and an outdoor fundraiser in the months that followed.
“So this is kind of our first everything back,” said Gatte.
For Kinniry, who got involved in Truman theater in his freshman year, he’s grateful for the chance to not only hit the beloved stage one final time, but do so as Sylvester Stallone’s iconic Philadelphia character.
“Being back on the stage, being back doing what I love with the people that I love, it’s a lot of fun,” he said. “Rocky sort of takes on an underdog mentality and that’s something that I’ve gone through multiple times. I’m channeling back to how I used to be and how I worked to overcome problems in my life. Playing Rocky, I understood the responsibility and was very honored.”
As for Gaines, who is taking on the antagonist role of Apollo, he’s been enjoying personifying someone who’s “cocky,” which is the exact opposite of his personality. Because his freshman year in 2020-21 didn’t allow for the opportunity, Rocky marks Gaines’ debut on the Truman stage.
“I heard Truman’s theater program is really good, so I figured I’d try it out and I love it,” he said.
Rocky the musical is based largely on the screenplay written by Stallone, which means it includes the iconic fight scene between Rocky and Apollo. In an effort to ensure this climactic moment looks as realistic as possible on stage while also maintaining safety, Kinniry and Gaines have been receiving personal boxing lessons at Bristol Borough’s Witherspoon Boxing & Fitness by Justin Litz, a Truman alum and amateur boxer.
“Justin was really a lifesaver for us,” said Kinniry. “He started in the middle of all the craziness going on and I feel like he’s done really well. He was the perfect trainer for us because he knows the environment that surrounds us with Truman.”
Gatte praised Litz’s work in training the pair in boxing, all while keeping the arts in mind.
“The fight is choreography. It’s like a dance, it’s all timed to music. He’s had to work with not only making sure that they’re safe and doing all the correct boxing moves, but that it fits all the timing of the show. The fight is the last 20 minutes. It’s literally the culmination of everything that we’ve done that we’ve kind of thrown on Justin’s shoulders to make sure this is perfect,” she said. “If someone comes that has a boxing background, it’s not just theater kids up there on stage acting. They actually look authentic.”
According to Gatte, securing the rights to perform Rocky at Truman has been a long time coming. After seeing it on Broadway in August 2014, she made it her mission to bring to Levittown the gripping story of a small-time boxer from Philly who must take on the reigning world heavyweight champion. Following years of waiting, Truman was finally permitted to host the show in March 2021 on the heels of Walnut Street Theatre in September 2020.
“But everything got bumped a year,” said Gatte. “They [Walnut Street Theatre] made the decision to not do the show this past fall, so our contract still stood and we’re doing the show. So, it went from Broadway to Truman High School to Philadelphia. It’s a little backwards but I think it works for us.”
When The Times chatted with the trio, it was exactly a week before opening night and final details were in the midst of being ironed out.
“They refer to this week as ‘hell week.’ I would add some other expletives in there with that,” said Gatte with a laugh. “It will all come together, we’re just a little stressed right now.”
Despite the last-minute hustle, “hell week” came with its share of fun moments, especially for the stars of the show. In the hallway, students and teachers alike could be heard endearingly shouting “Rocky!” and “Apollo!” at Kinniry and Gaines.
“I feel like the faculty will no longer call them by their names,” said Gatte. “It’s just going to get exponentially worse.”
But that’s perfectly OK with the two actors, especially Kinniry.
“I’ve done this forever, but there’s something about this musical in particular. Maybe it being my last one, maybe being that it’s Rocky, but there’s something about this musical that just hits closer,” he said. “Everyone should have that feeling.”
Rocky performances take place at Truman High School’s Lou Volpe Auditorium, 3001 Green Lane, Levittown, on March 3 and 4, at 7:30 p.m., and March 5, at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Those interested in attending are urged to purchase tickets ahead of time online at showtix4u.com/event-details/57821.
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
