Cinderella(s) Finds Prince(s) at Mamaroneck Ave School

from Mamaroneck Avenue School

(November 30, 2004) Like the pumpkin turning into a beautiful carriage and four mice to horses, a magical transformation took place at Mamaroneck Avenue Elementary School on November 19 and 20. The magic occurred with two full casts complete with two Cinderellas trying on two pairs of slippers offered by two handsome princes.

Two princes each find a Cinderella in the two casts at Mamaroneck Avenue School.

Cameras flashed and video tape rolled as proud parents, family and friends watched students become true musical theatre actors, dancers, singers and stage hands in the musical production of Rogers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (music by Richard Rogers, book & lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II).

Congratulations and heartfelt thanks went out to professional Director Laurie Gage, Musical Director Steph Chinn and PTA Play Coordinator Jill Karliner as they were honored by MAS Principal Carrie Amon and the cast at the play's close on Saturday night. They were lauded for successfully pulling the production together in a tight time frame while showing the students that "It's Possible," as the play's musical score emphasized.

"I can't think of a more wholesome family activity than this - how important it is to the school and the  community," Ms. Gage told the audience. "The reason I do this is because I want you to know that the best thing I can give (the children) is my faith and belief in them. Anything is possible, so don't ever stop believing in your kids or yourselves."

Two full casts - Red and Blue - were selected to put up the four productions, allowing for approximately 120 students from all grade levels to participate. Third, fourth and fifth graders comprised the casts, while kindergarteners and first and second graders had their moment in the spotlight as part of the junior company.

Parents were instrumental in building and painting sets, obtaining props, creating costumes, developing light and sound design, working on the program, and much more. In addition to the unwavering commitment of the parents, the play was also evident as a family affair with several siblings cast together. "Mrs. Valera said, 'You and Sean would be perfect in this,' " explained kindergartener Meghan, who participated in Junior Company's Red Team with her older brother, Sean.

"They teach the children how to do the play, to sing and do all the moves, and we kept on practicing them," said Sean, a second-grader. "My favorite part was acting in front of all the people."

Third-grade cast member Gabrielle is a veteran of two Junior Company musicals, Peter Pan and The Music Man, as well as several theater camp and dance camp productions. In Cinderella, she was one of the dancing townspeople, but truly relished her role as one of the fabled mice that turns into a horse to pull Cinderella's carriage. "I loved being a mouse - it was so much fun," Gabrielle said. Her younger sister, Kathryn, was also in Junior Company.

All eyes turned to the back of the theater at each performance for one of the play's most special features as Junior Company's cute little mice scampered up the aisle to join the Fairy Godmother on stage in a rendition of "Bibbity Bobbity Boo."

"Walking up with my mouse face on was my favorite part," said kindergartener Jasmine. "Everybody liked the mouses." While she admitted to being a little nervous, she thought maybe she would like to do another play.

"I think it was a great experience being able to be in the play with everyone -- it felt like family," said fifth grader Jonathan, who played the part of Prince Charming in one of the casts. "It felt good to be in front of an audience, and to work hard at something and be able to do it with no mistakes," he said with a smile.

Musical productions at Mamaroneck Avenue School are a huge project involving all grade levels and many parent volunteers. Cinderella was no exception.