By NICK BRENNAN
Staff Writer
Saying goodbye to caffeine and mellow acoustics, the junior class took a different approach to the annual Coffeehouse tradition, reformatting the event and renaming it Friday Night Lineup.
The goal of this year’s show was to bring a new look to such a great event, Class of 2015 president Gina Maurer of Avon said. “We switched it up so that not only the theme changed, but also everyone’s expectations. We hoped to attract a new brand of people, and I think we were pretty successful,” she added.
Friday Night Lineup featured acts ranging from singing to poetry to performances with various instruments including the piano and the violin. Over 20 acts were performed, with brief comical intercessions in between from junior hosts Sean Gilbert of Wall and Kevin Milton of Hazlet.
Gilbert and Milton invited audience members to tweet using the hashtag “fnl” during the event and responded to some of the comments live on stage. They credit time management and a great crowd for the success of the event.
“Overall, I thought the performances were strong. I know a couple acts dropped out before hand, which was kind of disappointing, but the set list was very powerful as it was, so the show was still a success,” Gilbert said.
“It was great to have such an awesome crowd and talented performers,” Milton added.
The two hosts were also factors in the success of the show, as their fluid transitions and constant energy kept the crowd entranced, junior Megan Kelleher of Ocean said.
Junior Aidan O’Sullivan of Freehold Township, a member of the Design Academy, said that Friday Night Lineup impressed him.
“I was blown away by the level of talent this school has. I think everyone had a great time and the show was excellent,” he said.
Nostalgia was present as veteran technician Tyler Paley of Howell reflected on his last year helping with audio during the performances.
“It was awesome,” he said, “Kevin and Sean did an amazing job, and I think it was a great way to end my Coffeehouse career. Everybody puts on such a great performance here, and I’m going to miss all of the talented people that go to CHS.”
At the end of the show, Maurer was in high spirits.
“I think it was a really great night and it went very well. I’m so proud of my class, and I think the crowd loved it, especially the end where Sean, Kevin, Matt Stromberg and Mrs. Morgan’s husband did their improv routine. It was a great night and I’m really happy with how it went.”