Volume 12, Number 19
Friday, August 2, 2019
www.northhavencitizen.com
‘A-Bomb Kid’ is all grown up, working in tech By Terry Sutton Special to The Citizen
John Aristotle Phillips has made quite a name for himself since graduating from North Haven High School in 1973.
Jennifer Kaye, artistic director and choreographer, with the cast of “Fame: The Musical.” Everett Bishop, The Citizen
New theater company stages ‘Fame: The Musical’ By Everett Bishop The Citizen
He was resistant until he met fellow co-founders Jennifer Kaye, artistic diSpotlight Stage Company, rector and choreographer, one of the state’s newest and Sandy Mascia, who community theater compa- would become the companies, made its foray onto ny’s director of sales and the main stage last week community engagement. with “Fame: The Musical.” “Jenn and I sat down at the The show began Thursday, end of September and we July 25 and wrapped Satur- started brainstorming one day, July 27 at the North night, and she’s very logisHaven Middle School thetical,” Zullo said. “I can be ater. a dreamer … but I had to Spotlight was conceived in come up with a plan.” September 2018 and Spotlight is a traveling launched in January. The stage company because theater company put on they currently lack funding two cabarets before staging to purchase a space. How“Fame: The Musical.” ever, North Haven has made them feel like a Christoper Zullo, comember of the communifounder and artistic directy. tor, said the idea to start a theater company was sug“The amount of businesses gested by his husband that have supported us and while Zullo was working welcomed us,” Zullo said. with another company “Everybody has asked about three years ago.
‘What do you need?’ and never asked for anything in return.” Eventually Spotlight hopes to own its own space, provide classes and draw in an even wider demographic of performers. The “Fame” cast and crew ranged in age from 12 to 45.
ti-nuclear activist and ran for political office in Connecticut.
He twice sought the U.S. House of While an undergraduate stuRepresentadent at Princeton University, Phillips tives 4th Phillips created a nuclear Congressionweapon design using pubal District seat, running as a licly available books and pa- Democrat. pers. A Rolling Stone Magazine The national media got wind article detailed the early of the young man’s accommonths of his first camplishment, making Phillips paign. something of a celebrity. He Phillips’ platform included was dubbed “The A-Bomb strong opposition to nuclear Kid.” proliferation and the eventuThe U.S. government al elimination of nuclear was aware of Phillips’ expower plants. ploits as well. The feds took notice when an official from As a candidate, Phillips’ also expressed support for a naPakistan attempted to purtional health care system chase Phillips’ design. and marijuana decriminalAfter graduating from colization. lege, Phillips became an an-
See Phillips, A10
However, like any business, the company faces challenges,” Mascia said. “We’re no different than any non-profit,” Mascia said. Zullo and Mascia said they would be open to having Spotlight maintain a permanent residence in North Haven. “This kind of community, you don’t find anywhere else,” Zullo said. ebishop@record-journal.com 203-317-2444
Phillips’ North Haven High School Class of 1973 yearbook writeup.