Show Time in New Canaan
By Jana Harvey
jana@realty-guild.com
I would like to expand on the article in our March Market Report with Dr. David E. Abbey, New Canaan’s Superintendent of Schools, concerning the investment that the New Canaan school system has given to theatre
Saxe Middle School students perform the scene "One Last Kiss," on the "Ed Sullivan Show", from a recent production of Bye Bye Birdie.
programs. As a parent of children that are directly involved with these programs, I personally have encountered the enrichment of the Arts that the school system has offered and given to the lives of the children of our community.
Scene from New Canaan High School production of As It Is In Heaven.
From the first step on stage as participants of the elementary schools’ variety shows, to the full comprehensive theatre experience of being in high school productions, there is an orchestration in our town, led by the school system, that allows children to maximize on the benefits of growing and enriching their lives in a creative manner.
This school season’s Performing Arts events started strong with the New Canaan High School’s productions of As It Is In Heaven, by Arlene Hutton, followed by the musical Into The Woods Jr. by Stephen Sondheim and the production of Mame by Jerry Herman.
Scene from NC High School production of Into The Woods Jr.
Earlier this year, the 5th and 6th graders got their official on stage experience with the production of School House Rock Live, Jr. from the series created by George Newall and Tom Yohe. The 7th and 8th graders at Saxe Middle School entertained over 1200 people with three wonderful performances of Bye Bye Birdie by Michael Stewart, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Lee Adams.
In all the productions, students were given the exciting opportunity of being either a participant in the design and technical side of
Scene from NC High School production of Mame.
the production, the cast, or the live orchestra. The shows ended with personal satisfaction, smiles and rave reviews from every corner of the town.
As the end of the school year approaches, the community can look forward to New Canaan High School’s Drama Festival, which features student writers, directors and cast members. This entertaining event will be held on April 30, May 1 & 2 at New Canaan High School. Finally, the busy school year will conclude with the production of the musical Cabaret,
Scene from NC High School production of Mame.
music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, on June 4, 5, 6 at the New Canaan High School Auditorium.
It truly is the enthusiasm of the community’s school system, the children, and the parents of New Canaan that make each one of the school productions a positive experience for all. It is evident that for all that are involved with the Performing Arts programs in New Canaan, it is just not a memory in a school year, but an opening of a window to a life long love for the Arts.
Scene from Mame.
