Under the direction of Sally Shatzkes (ES '95, HS '99) and in collaboration with Musical Director Danny Shatzkes (ES '94, HS '98), Set Designer Rebecca Grazi-Siev (ES '02, HS '06) and Costume/Makeup Designer Rachel Hasson (HS '93), the cast and crew of over 50 students beautifully portrayed every character and every scene...all in HEBREW! And it was all every bit as majestic as something that could be seen on Broadway.
This year was the first year that our YOF ES Middle Division choir graced the stage alongside the older high school performers as part of the ensemble, under the direction of Brian Gelfand. Our JBHS orchestra performed the show's overture under the direction of Lilli Mauskop.
Reflections from the director, Sally Shatzkes:
Nothing gives me greater pleasure than the look of pride and accomplishment on my students’ faces during the final curtain call of our shows. This look tells me that my students “got it.” That along with their newfound fame, they also have come to realize that they have been part of something huge…and unique...and significant…and life changing.
And while I must admit that the show was incredible and that the students – actors, stagehands, engineers and designers included – truly wowed their audiences, what was even more amazing was the gargantuan effort that they have all have been putting in since the very first week of school and the beautiful teamwork and middot that they exemplified throughout the whole process, onstage and offstage. I am the luckiest teacher/director to have such a special group of students!
Reflections from actor/student director, Sylvia Ashkenazie, Class of 2018:
Being part of a huge cast presented us all with the incredible opportunity to experience theater in all its glory, but also to meet new people and build new friendships. Having to interact with each other and encourage each other during the scenes and constantly work together to build our energy and group dynamic made it easy to become friends. Even without all the costumes and makeup we were always working as a team. Backstage is always a blast - everyone yelling to keep quiet or running around looking for a missing prop. It’s all smiles and laughs during impromptu mic tests, but when the lights go down, the show begins and the entire cast falls in sync. If anything goes wrong during the show, you know one of your friends will have your back, because we aren’t just a group of students. During those four months of crazy schedules and hours of practices, we become a family.
