Muffy Pendergast Photo
Edgewood student Arlo Bruckmann tests out the giant lollipops.
The Edgewood School play, “Willy Wonka Jr.,” delighted as ever, with kids in grades 3 – 8 acting, singing and dancing their hearts out. But if you took a closer look, you might have concluded that what goes on behind the scenes is almost as dramatic as the theatrical production itself.
Behind the production was a whole community of adults — not necessarily with a kid in the play, or even at the school — and professionals, lending their incredible talents to the production. And had you been there, either during intermission, or at the end of the play, you would have heard spectators speaking emphatically of their appreciation for the level of professional quality in the actors, their costumes and the stage sets.
The musical was generously hosted by Hillhouse High School, in its large auditorium, which has the theatrical equipment that Edgewood School lacks. To create stage sets and props, the empty space directly adjacent to the thriving Manjares Cafe in Westville became “Willy Wonka Scenery Central,” thanks to the generosity of the William Hotchkiss Company, the property management company of Westville’s Art Lofts West (ArLoW) buildings.
Muffy Pendergast Photo
Artists Frank Bruckmann and David Sepulveda readying scenery.
While this empty space was transformed into a beehive of creativity, weekenders witnessed giant psychedelic mushrooms out in front and huge lollipops and other props coming in and out of the retail space. The Hotchkiss Company was “thrilled to support this community undertaking while they had an empty storefront, especially because so many local artists were involved in this arts related endeavor,” according to Thea Buxbaum, a community arts activist and founder of ArLoW.
School parent Jaime Kane returned to the director’s chair for the sixth time, along with co-director Jennifer Frechette and a team of parents who tirelessly lent support during practices to coach and chaperone the kids during down time. As ever, the scenery and props were created, constructed and painted by a crew of professional artists, carpenters and parent volunteers, including David Sepulveda, Tim Kane, Frank Bruckmann, Katie Kindilien, Alice Forrester, Muffy Pendergast, Thaddeus Hasell, Gaylene Vasilopolous, Peter Ziou, Eva Scopino, Os Schmitz, Trina Machesney, Anne Kellett, Pamela Ifandy, Richard Turlington, and Avery D’Amato. Parent Suzanne McDonnell led the charge again for costuming, with other seamstresses providing eye-catching ensembles for all the lead roles and tons of Oompa Loompas, Squirrels, Bubbles, and Candy Kids.
JoAnne Wilcox Photo
Behind the scenery on Hillhouse’s huge stage.
The show was enhanced by a full technical crew, led by professional sound engineer Jerome Fox. Pro lighting designer Jamie Burnett worked on newly upgraded lighting, while parent Susan Papa designed the lighting for the show.
The live pit band was made up of current Edgewood teachers, parents and alumni. If you were lucky enough to see recent Edgewood Afterschool Drama Club productions like “Willy Wonka Jr.,” “Seussical Jr.” and “The Lion King,” you know that these represented an achievement far beyond the scope of most elementary and middle school students, with the growing support of a network of creative neighborhood parents and friends, all helping to create the magic of theater.