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Snow White and Seven Dwarfs Comes to Putnam Valley Elementary School
 | | Putnam Valley Elementary School students rehearse a production of Snow White. The show will be presented on May 18th and May 19th at Putnam Valley Elementary School. |
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A beautiful princess, a wicked stepmother, talking animals, a kind huntsman and seven little men can mean only one thing: Snow White's in town.
After months of rehearsals guided by two professional actresses, third and fourth graders at Putnam Valley Elementary School will present Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on May 18th and 19th at 7 p.m. in the elementary school auditorium. Directed by Carmela Toone, an actress who has appeared in television, film and regional theater, the show features 53 children and runs about 45 minutes in length. In addition to teaching the children professional theater terms, Toone encouraged all cast members to bring their own personalities to their roles. "I told the kids, 'I don't want you to be the character; I want the character to be you,' she says. "By giving them the opportunity to improvise and make suggestions, I made them feel that it is their show. And they really came up with some ingenious bits."
The show features four musical numbers choreographed by Musical Director Melodie Wolford, a singer, dancer and actress who has performed in many shows including the National Tours of 42nd Street and La Cage aux Folles. In Whistle While You Work, one of the musical numbers in the show, children sweep in synchronicity, tumble while scrubbing floors and generally delight the audience. Toone, who has two children in the play, says she volunteered to direct the production because she believes theater "promotes a sense of teamwork that is different from sports. Each cast member is a unique piece of the puzzle and when you step back, you can see the beautiful mosaic they've created."
Michael Toone, Sr., who has worked professionally in theater both on and off stage, created the enchanted forest, castle and dwarfs' house where the scenes take place, while William Craven, a professional stagehand who was technical director for Little Women on Broadway, designed the lighting. Sarah Knapp, an actress and composer who has appeared on Broadway in the Scarlet Pimpernel, serves as assistant musical director, while Marlene Periera serves as assistant director. Connie Drew, stage manager at the Westchester Broadway Theater, is the stage manager. Steven Alper, a conductor and composer who wrote the music for The Immigrant, an off-Broadway musical nominated for a Drama Desk Award, will conduct.
"I think it's great that Putnam Valley has theater professionals who are willing to donate their time and expertise," says Kieran O'Leary, who has a son in the play. "I've watched them work with the children and have been so impressed."
The play, the second to be produced at PVES, was sponsored by the Arts-in-Education Committee of the Putnam Valley PTA. Tickets are $5 and can be obtained at the door or by emailing www.
PVPTA@pvcsd.org . Advance purchase is recommended.
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