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Community Corner

Students Prepare to Bring Broadway to Town

DePaolo and Kennedy Middle School students are rehearsing all week for a musical in April.

DePaolo and Kennedy Middle School students have been rehearsing tirelessly for months getting ready to perform the upcoming Spring musical, "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."

It will be the sixth year both schools have collaborated on a performance and the first year the kids are presenting a musical currently on Broadway.

"I thought this would be such a unique opportunity for my kids to do a current Broadway show," Palmieri said. "I'm working on taking them to see the show this Spring, which should be a lot of fun."

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A cast of 108 students have been meeting since auditions in December, with DePaolo students getting bused to Kennedy two to three times a week. They're joined by about about 45 crew members are involved in the many other activities such as set designing, sound, props, costumes and makeup.

"It's a great way for both schools to work collaboratively, and it helps kids get to know each other before going to high school," Palmieri said. "They've been working really hard and I think there's some real excitement no that the show is so close."

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Eighth grader Autumn Sheffy, who scored the lead female of Rosemary Pilington, said she's been having a great time at rehearsals.

"I love musicals and comedy, this show is hysterical," Autumn said. "I really enjoy rehearsing, it's so much fun."

"It's a lot of hard work and can be stressful at times, but it's fun," eighth-grader Casey Natelli said.

The play is Brett Shaw's first performance with a lead role, but he's ready.

"I kind of get nervous because I'm still working on remembering my lines," Brett said. "My character is a guy who's a boss with two different sides to him, and I like playing characters like that."

How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying is about a 27 year-old Window washer who manages to climb the corporate ladder-with some bumps along the way- by following he exact advice of a 'how to" book.

The show will be staged at Kennedy Middle School on April 7, 13, 14 & 15 at 7 p.m.m Tickets ost $4 for students and $7 for adults.

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