Take a step back in time as 80 local performers offer a passport
back to the 1970s in Gilroy Community Services and John
Bisceglie
’s all-singing, all-dancing production of “Disco Island.”
Take a step back in time as 80 local performers offer a passport back to the 1970s in Gilroy Community Services and John Bisceglie’s all-singing, all-dancing production of “Disco Island.”
The show features more than 70 hits with enough neon and flashing lights to keep audiences entertained throughout the two-hour performance.
“It’ll be a really fun show for the audience,” Bisceglie said. “I think it’s really exciting to see all the hard work paid off and see audiences react to the different things that have been put in place.”
With each of the two acts less than one hour in length, this may be Bisceglie’s shortest production.
“The goal was to make this show quick, with lots of punch, lots of fun and not as many ballads,” he said.
In accordance with city policy, no one was turned away from participating in this program. The director wanted to give all actors a special moment, whether it be a solo, duet or featured dance, so they could feel part of the experience.
“The best part is there are so many ages and skill levels, but they can come together to make such a neat show,” Meghan McBrearty, 20, said. “Some of the little kids have so much talent, I know they’re going to go far.”
When audiences walk into the transformed South Valley Junior High School cafeteria they enter the mythical world of Disco Island through the mouth of a giant tiki relic.
“It’s part Hawaii, part Soul Train,” Bisceglie said. “We’re working in a non-traditional theater space and a lot of parents have been great working on different parts of the set,” Bisceglie said. The walls are covered in black plastic to keep out the light and neon sea animals hang in the air. Set crews extended the cafeteria stage to a 32-by-55 foot runway stage.
“It’s a bit of a parody of itself. It’s fun taking something to the extreme,” Bisceglie said.
As if that’s not enough to look at, black lights make everything from the white polyester costumes to fluorescent paint to the girls’ eyeshadow even more brilliant. The costumes also have electric neon wire inside the lapels and belt buckles to add even more luminescence.
“All of his shows are so creative and very over the top with detail. It’s a lot of fun,” said Cathy Mirelez, city cultural arts and museum supervisor.
Proceeds benefit city youth programs including Kids Discover Arts, the Youth Artists Show and the Summer Concert Series.
