At Brandywine Elementary School on Tuesday afternoon, a host of costume-clad characters from Cinderella, to pointy-hatted witches, to Charlie Brown characters, could be spotted near the stage, which sported a set piece reading “Broadway.”
The characters, which are played by 40 Brandywine students in the kindergarten through high school, are part of the musical mash-up featuring Broadway numbers.
The production, titled the “Brandywine Broadway Review,” is directed by Brandywine drama director August Garritano.
The show opens at Brandywine Elementary School at 7 p.m. Thursday. There will be two other showings, at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
General seating is $5 and will support the school’s theater fund.
Garritano, who recently directed Brandywine students in “Shrek: The Musical” in October, said he wanted to do something that would help teach students the classics on Broadway, while also giving the audience the joy of watching some of their favorite musical numbers.
“I think it will be a hit for the community,” Garritano said. “People love Broadway musicals. Instead of just picking one show to do, we decided to do a Broadway review.”
Audience members will get to see 14 different musical numbers, including “My New Philosophy,” from the production “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown”; “Defying Gravity,” from “Wicked,” as well as numbers from the “Wizard of Oz,” and “Annie,” to name a few.
Garritano said he hoped it would help students to learn about some classical Broadway numbers, while showing them some inspiring actors. Many students watched parts of the numbers on YouTube to learn how to better perform their role, he said.
Students practiced the musical numbers during a dress rehearsal on Tuesday afternoon. Among them was sixth grader Abbie Hubbard. Hubbard has long had a passion for singing, which she demonstrates through her work with the Brandywine Creek String Band, headed by principal Jim Boger.
Hubbard will perform the song “Defying Gravity” from the production “Wicked.”
She said she was ecstatic to hear that she had received the role after trying out, especially since she thought one of the older students might be awarded the part, due to the complexity of the song.
“It just feels really great,” Hubbard said.
Stepping off the stage after practicing the number, Hubbard beamed after executing the song.
“I like the experience of being on stage and having the confidence to go up there,” Hubbard said.
Fourth grader Miley Young, who will be playing Sally Brown during “My Philosophy,” said being part of the productions is a lot of fun.
Additionally, the elementary school student said it could be fun to flaunt your talent.
“You can show all your talent to everybody in the school district and just have fun,” Young said.