Sunday, March 13, 2011

Thanks for a GREAT Opening Weekend!

Opening weekend exceeded our expectations!  Oz played to nearly full houses for both evening shows, and there were just a few open seats during the matinee.  Thank you all for your support!

We've received a number of nice e-mails including this lovely message from the Wicks Family:

Congratulations on an AMAZING opening night!  What an incredible journey my family and I had with you down the yellow brick road last night. Your outstanding performance is a testament to months of hard work, creativity, determination, cooperation and collaboration from so many. Performing arts, visual arts and music in alliance for a spectacular show. I'm finding it hard to express all I want to say in this email....as I sat in the capacity filled audience last night I was in awe of the production unfolding in front of me. Top-notch theatre at Averill Park that exceeded my expectations!

I'm sure there are elements/groups I missed and didn't even know about from a behind-the-scenes aspect. But I thank you all....

Talented performers, backstage crew executing flawless scene changes, stage managers, props and visual media that brought the show to a new level, sound and lighting, choreography, incredible 3rd graders with amazing teachers, pit orchestra and Mr. Zaffuts, costume designer and seamstresses, scenic design which was fabulous, acting and musical direction which came together for wonderful performance, and all the "helpers" of any kind who helped make this show a success.

Thank you for a wonderful evening of arts entertainment!  



In addition, after the matinee the cast and crew met with Laura Andruski, an adjudicator from the Theatre Association of New York State (TANYS).  Ms. Andruski, who is also Education Coordinator at Capital Rep (support their shows!),  had many positive things to say about our WOz, and we look forward to reading her notes in full.  She recognized the quality of our ensemble work, costumes, choreography and tech in her discussion of the show.


If you haven't made it to see the show, you still have a chance this upcoming weekend!  Tickets will be available at the door for all three shows, Friday night and the Saturday matinee and evening performances.  Doors open at 6:15 for the evening shows and 1:15 for the matinees.


In addition, our final dress rehearsal on Thursday at 3pm will be open to senior citizens free of charge.  If you have a community group that would like to join us at that time, please contact us via the blog or at mckeebym@averillpark.k12.ny.us and we'll see if we can seat you.


Thank you again for your support, and please support all the arts in the Averill Park Schools!  You may have heard that many teachers and virtually all non-sports extracurricular programs were cut from the initial draft of the Superintendent's budget.  We hope that situation will change, but it won't unless you reach out to the governor,  your state legislators, and our local politicians and school board members to let them know that that we need to save the arts.

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