This April 19 and 20, Carusi Middle School’s Theater Troupe, CARUSI & COMPANY, will present their 2013 school musical Dear Edwina, Jr. Students come after school three times a week to practice and learn lines, music, and choreography. However, looking at the show a bit more in depth, you can see there’s much more to Carusi and Company’s Dear Edwina, Jr. than your average after-school program.
Director Sandi Makofsky is a wealth of theatrical knowledge and experience while also being a proponent of student involvement. It is clear she is passionate about students gaining leadership roles; middle school students are learning how to be stage managers, company managers, how to work together and collaborate, and even how to build props and assemble a set.
Mafosky said, “I love working with young actors. They are sponges that soak up every bit of information I put out there. They are capable of so much more than what people expect of them. If we have high expectations and trust them to achieve, they never fail to deliver.”
This year, Carusi Spanish Teacher Michael Deffner is stepping onstage. In his role as Edwina’s Uncle Vladimir, he tells the precautionary tale of how to behave at a birthday party. The song not only provides amazing singing, but also a ton of laughs!
“The students are wonderful to work with and are extremely talented,” Deffner said, “We have a lot of fun in ‘Frankenguest.’”
Deffner, along with Denise Augustyn, are two of Carusi’s teachers that are involved in Dear Edwina, Jr. Augustyn is the Music Director of the show and finds that “these students are so dedicated and focused in rehearsals…it’s amazing!”
The directors often find that the work these students are doing is beyond their years in quality and in maturity.
If you’re aching to see a preview of Dear Edwina, Jr., come to The Discovery Museum in Cherry Hill on April 13 where you can see the cast in action before their show!
Show dates and times are April 19 at 7:30 p.m. and April 20th at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.. Tickets are $7 for general admission seating. Tickets may be purchased at the door, but you can reserve yours now by emailing Sanlm7@verizon.net or Amanda.Schott88@gmail.com. Seating is limited, so don’t wait!
Carusi Middle School’s theater is air-conditioned and handicap-accessible.
