Dear Edwina Jr Playbill by Humberto Flor

P. S. 23 Q Theater

Special Thank You

that volunteered To the following people sets: items for costumes and their time and/or donated John Baxter (Carpenter) a Hooks Angel Thompson • Wand e Schaffer Jeanne Carter • Ms. Louis els • Della Doherty Lisa Marulli • Carole Samu Giordano Henderson • Marianne da lan Yo • an wm Ne ria Glo Trusch m Denise Hanson • Tavia Loretta Conroy • Mrs. Ra zer Fra a Naftal • Mariann Scott Lopresti • Candace deAnfrasio Lisa Israel • Ms. Martha

Kelly Kraly ment! rchase all the great equip for figuring out how to pu Tony Avella New York State Senator d all the NYS OMH staff Thanks to Mark Bibbi an ibilities. o took on extra respons (cleaning guys, safety) wh H) H) • Ms. White (NYS OM Mrs. Richardson (NYS OM Ms. Shaw (NYS OMH) ing High School students Thank you to the follow ts/props: who helped create the se rc, Briana James, Jasmine, Alisha, Ma

A Note from the Principal Ms. Jackie Jones Dear P.S. 23 Q Family, This year marks P.S. 23 Q’s second year as a participant school in MTI’s Broadway Jr. program, sponsored by the Schubert Foundation in collaboration with the New York City Department of Education’s Office of Arts and Special Projects. Last year’s production was such a triumph, it seemed as if nothing could ever come close; however, the passion and enthusiasm of this year’s students has humbled me once again. Our performance on Broadway was spectacular proof of the dedication and hard work the entire P.S. 23 Q community has put in over the past five months. Success is usually a team effort, however; and I am very proud that this year’s production involved collaboration from every part of the P. S. 23 Q family. Members of our high school classes worked on the set and props, volunteers from our staff helped create the set and the costumes, and support from our State Senator, Tony Avella, made it possible to upgrade key elements of our technical production. Every part of P.S. 23 Q community contributed to tonight’s success, from the school aides, to the custodial staff, to the NYS OMH staff, to the therapists, coordinators, parents, teach-

ers, paraprofessionals, and of course, our students. P. S. 23 Q’s school spirit has been soaring this Spring! Thanks are also due to Chancellor Carmen Farina for championing the arts and after school programs for middle school students. Thank you also Peter Avery, Director of Theater for New York City Department of Education, and Brendan McMahon, Theater Coordinator, for giving our students a chance to participate in this special program. Peter and Brendan work tirelessly on behalf of students to ensure that theater is a part of as many schools as possible. We are grateful P.S. 23Q gets to benefit from their efforts. Very special thanks go to Ed Miller from ArtsConnection for giving P.S. 23 Q a special place in his heart and his work. The students and staff have both benefited from the three long-term artist residencies he so skillfully crafted in conjuction with Scott LoPresti to meet the specific needs of our school. Not only does our set design reflect the genius and dedication of Angel Thompson, our Set Design Teaching Assistant, but many of our high school students got to contribute to what would otherwise have been exclusively a middle school production.

Thank you also for assigning us Shanna Lesniak Whitney as our Broadway Jr. Advisor. Shanna’s patient one-to-one vocal coaching and positive encouragement have been instrumental. Thank you, Angel! Thank you, Shanna! Thank you, Ed! We would also like to thank the P.S. 23 Q production team who worked so lovingly and with such dedication and for so many hours to ensure that our students accomplished the monumental task of mounting a musical theater production. Tavia Trusch, Della Doherty, Yolanda Henderson, Yvonne Lytle, Lisa Marulli, our students are lucky to have you, and so is P.S. 23 Q. Our students’ families have also been essential to the success of this program. For months, these students arrived home late three days a week and still had dinner to eat and homework to do. Thank you, parents, for allowing your children to participate and for enabling them to succeed. Finally, a special word for our cast and crew: Thank you for your hard work, your artistry, and your commitment to this production. Your talents are amazing and your persistence astounding. You are an inspiration! 3

P.S. 23 Q

MIDDLE SCHOOL PRESENTS

A part of THE BROADWAY JUNIOR COLLECTION ™ Book and Lyrics by Marcy Heisler Music by Zina Goldrich WITH TAYYON, VERGONIA, TATIANA, SACHI, JAHLIL, ORIAN, ISIS, TYRELLE, WILLIAM, SABRINA, IYANAH, JESSICA, KENNETH, EDWIN, ALEEZA SET DESIGN

COSTUME DESIGN

TALENT MANAGEMENT

GLORIA NEWMAN WANDA HOOKS LISA MARULLI

YOLANDA HENDERSON DELLA DOHERTY TAVIA TRUSCH

SCOT LOPRESTI PAMELA HICKS MS. SHAW • MS. WHITE

CHOREOGRAPHER TAVIA TRUCH

DIRECTOR DELLA DOHERTY

MUSICAL DIRECTOR YVONNE LYTLE

BROADWAY JR. ADVISOR ARTS CONNECTION VOCAL COACH

BROADWAY JR. ADVISOR ARTS CONNECTION SCENIC DESIGNER

PHOTOGRAPHER ERIC COOPER

SHANNA LESNIAK WHITNEY

ANGEL THOMPSON

MUSICAL TECHNICIAN LESS STOLLER

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JACKIE JONES

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR LISA MARULLI

PRINTING DESIGN HUMBERTO FLOR

Tayyon....................................................................................(Edwina, Susie) Tatiana.................................................................................... (Becky, Carrie) Sachi............................................................ (Kelli, Aphrodite, Periwinkle) Jahlil..................................................................................... (Lars, Vladimir) Orian........................................................................................... (Billy, Scott) William................................................................................. (Cordell, Harry) Jessica.........................................................................(Annie, Farmer Jerry) Tyrelle.................................................................................... (Bobby, Ziggy) Sabrina..................................................... (Abigail, Lola, Ann Van Buren) Kenneth................................................................................ (Frank, Johnny) Vergonia ...........................................(Queen of Boola Boola, Frank’s Ma, Harry’s Mom, Mary Sue Betty Bob) Isis........................................................(Chef Ludmilla, Katie Spoonapple) Iyanah............................................................................. (Fairy Forkmother) Aleeza............................................................................................... (Napkin) Edwin.............................................................................................. (William) Kevin.......................................................................... (Art Crew, Spotlight) Leah................................................................................... (Art Crew, Props)

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Paw Paw Michigan ...........................................................................Ensemble Up On the Fridge.................................................................................. Tayyon Dear Edwina.......................................................................................Ensemble Here Comes A Letter..........................................................................William Aphrodite....................................................................................................Sachi Say No Thank You........................................................................... Ensemble Becky’s Cheers ......................................................................................Tatiana Another Letter.......................................................................................William Abigail.....................................................................................................Sabrina Frankenguest....................................................Jahlil, Kenny and Ensemble Carrie........................................................................................................Tatiana Fork, Knife, Spoon...............................Tayyon, Isis, Iyanah and Ensemble Time for Intermission........................................................................Ensemble Here Comes More Letters...................................................................William Periwinkle...................................................................................................Sachi Hola, Lola............................................................Tatiana, Sabrina, Ensemble Becky’s Second Cheers.........................................................................Tatiana Ziggy..........................................................................................................Tyrelle Put It In The Piggy............................................Vergonia, Jessica, Ensemble Thanks For Coming...........................................................................Ensemble Edwina.........................................................................................................Orian Thanks For Coming 2........................................................................Ensemble Up On The Fridge Breakdown.............................................................Tayyon Sing Your Own Song/Up On The Fridge Reprise........Tayyon, Ensemble Hola Lola - Encore..............................................................................Ensemble

TAYYON – (Edwina Spoonapple, Susie) Tayyon’s hobbies include acting,singing, drawing, writing stories, crocheting, knitting, and dancing. She likes school, especially art, theater, English, science, and math. Tayyon would like to thank her mom because she is really good at music and she gives her advice on how to sing. She has taught Tayyon never to stop doing what she loves to do. Tayyon likes theater because it gives her a chance to improvise, to sing, and to put all her feelings into her acting. In the future, Tayyon would like to become part of a girl band, start her own clothing line, and live in Northern or Eastern Europe. Tayyon loves being Edwina because she shares similar characteristics, like being a little “bossy.” TYRELLE - (Bobby, Ziggy) Tyrelle JESSICA - (Annie, Farmer Jerry) likes singing, hanging out, and jokSome of Jessica’s hobbies are coling around. His favorite subjects in lecting rocks from the beach and school are theater, music, and math. arts & crafts. Her favorite subjects Tyrelle would like to thank Ms. Delin school are art, gym, and music. la for giving him an opportunity to Jessica would like to thank Ms.Lyparticipate in the production for a tle for helping her to project her second year. He likes doing theater voice. Jessica likes theater because because the dancing helps him stay she gets to perform in front of a lot fit and healthy. Tyrelle would like to of people and show her talent. Her become an R&B pop singer inspired dream for the future is to be a good by many performers such as Ariana actor and maybe get into a BroadGrande and Ne-Yo. His favorite part of way show. What Jessica likes most being in Dear Edwina Jr. is hanging out about Dear Edwina Jr. is being part with his friends and just having fun. of the show. She also likes that it is a story about a girl following her dream, and Jessica likes to dream! SACHI – (Kelli, Aphrodite, Periwinkle) Sachi loves singing and drawing, and WILLIAM - (Cordell, Uncle Harry, her favorite subjects in school are art Ensemble) William likes playing basand gym. Sachi would like to thank her ketball and football. His favorite grandma for loving her and taking care subject is math. He would like to of her. Sachi enjoys theater because thank his family for taking care of she likes all the playing around, and eshim. William likes theater because pecially laughing at the mistakes along he likes the set decorations. He the way. In the future, Sachi plans to would like to become a WWE Subecome a wealthy artist or singer. Her perstar and the World Heavyweight favorite thing about Dear Edwina Jr. is Champion. William’s favorite part the silly songs. of Dear Edwina Jr. is the song “Hola Lola” because it is a happy song. 7

ORIAN – (Billy, Scott) Orian likes reading and writing sci-fi books. While he practices all media and styles of art, he most often spends time drawing. Orian’s best talent is his athleticism and his favorite sport is basketball. In school, Orian likes all subjects, with the exception of math. Orian would like to thank Ms. Della, Ms. Tavia, and every adult and cast member for putting up with him. The thing Orian likes most about theater is that it allows him to have the responsibility of learning the lines and lyrics. He also enjoyed the opportunity to be a leader to students new to this year’s production since he was involved in last year’s performance of Schoolhouse Rock, Jr. Orian’s “plans” for the future are to enter a general ed high school by the end of 9th grade so he can play high school basketball. Then, he plans to get good grades and go to St. John’s University and play college ball. Then, NBA, all the way! IYANAH - (Fiary Forkmother, Ensemble) Iyanah’s many interests include basketball, football, kickboxing, track, rapping, singing, drawing, and dancing. She has a strong interest in science and plans to graduate college and become a police officer or a lawyer one day. Iyanah would like to thank Ms. Della and Ms. Lytle for teaching her how to become a good actor, Ms. Emma and Ms. Amoroso of Class V04 for teaching her how to understand things, and 8

her Godmother for raising her. Iyanah likes everything about doing theater: the acting, singing, and the dancing. The thing Iyanah likes best about the Broadway Jr. program is that she gets to perform on Broadway and do things she never got to do before. ALEEZA - (Napkin, Ensemble) Aleeza’s favorite subject in school is art. Her hobbies are photography, shopping, travel, fashion, and music. Aleeza likes theatre because she likes to perform. She dreams on one day becoming a filmmaker, being an actress and a singer, or becoming a nurse. She would like to thank all the staff members who helped with the after school program, especially, her director, Ms. Della, Ms. Lytle, Ms. Tavia, and Ms. Shanna. The thing Aleeza likes best about Dear Edwina Jr. is the unique songs it contains. KENNETH - (Frank, Johnny, Ensemble) Kenny enjoys playing games and watching science programs on TV (Human Planet and Dino Diaries). Kenny likes art, gym, and science in school (but free time is his favorite). He would like to thank Ms. Della and Ms. Tavia for the whole “encouragement thing.” His favorite thing about theater is reading the scripts. He hopes to be scientist and then a doctor one day. The part of Dear Edwina Jr. he likes best is “Hola Lola” because he can’t help but smile during the finale.

Tayyon

Tatiana

Sachi

Jahlil

William

Sabrina

Tyrelle

Orian

Jessica

Iyanah

Kenneth

Isis

Edwin

William

Aleeza

Kevin

Leah

TATIANA – (Becky, Carrie) Tatiana’s favorite hobby is singing. In school, she likes English and gym and is starting to like math. Tatiana would like to thank Ms. Tavia, Ms. Della, Mr. LoPresti, her friends Tayyon and Iyanah, and her family for all their support. Her favorite part about doing theater is acting and socializing with her friends. Tatiana dreams of being a successful and beautiful actress one day. In addition to the acting, singing, and laughing, Tatiana’s favorite thing about Dear Edwina Jr. is the opportunity to hang out with her friends VERGONIA -(Queen of Boola Boola, Frank’s Ma, Harry’s Mom, Mary Sue Betty Bob) – Vergonia loves singing, dancing, and acting, and hopes to become a professional singer and dancer in the future. For Vergonia, the best thing about Dear Edwina Jr. is that she gets to work with her friends and the people she loves while working to put on the show. She would like to thank Ms. Tavia, Ms. Della, Ms. Lytle, and Ms. Marulli because they helped us put on the show. Thank you for your kindness and your love. Thank you, Ms. Tavia, for giving up your lunchtimes to show us the dances, and thank you to everyone else who helped me show who I really am when I sing. EDWIN - (William, Ensemble) In his spare time, Edwin likes to play video games. In school, he likes gym, theater, art, tech, music, and lunch. 10

Edwin would like to thank Ms. Della because she helped with the show. One day, Edwin would like to become a UFC fighter. His favorite thing about theater is that he gets to be silly on stage, and his favorite part of Dear Edwina, Jr. is when he acts like a bird in the song “Edwina.” ISIS – (Chef Ludmilla, Katie) Isis has many hobbies, including art, music, and science. She expresses her creativity by drawing characters and writing stories. Her favorite subjects in school are science, art, and social studies. Isis would like to thank the whole staff involved with the after school program because they helped her so much. Isis loves doing theater because it gives her a chance to become different characters that no one criticizes. Her future plans include becoming a scientist, and she likes Dear Edwina, Jr. because she can totally relate to the character of Edwina. JAHLIL - (Lars, Uncle Valdimir, Ensemble) Jahlil’s hobbies are playing basketball and football and dancing. His favorite subjects in school are math, English, and social studies. He would like to thank his mom for supporting him. Thank you so much, Mom! Jahlil likes doing theater because he likes acting like his characters. One day, Jahlil would like to become a police officer. Jahlil likes Dear Edwina Jr. because it has great solos, great acting, and great characters. Plus, it’s fun!

SABRINA – (Abigail, Lola, Ana Van Buren - Talent Scout, Ensemble) Sabrina likes singing, dancing, acting, and having fun. In school, she enjoys reading, technology, science, art, and, last but not least, theater. Theater is her favorite subject. Sabrina would like to thank Ms. Della for picking her for the after school program because she is having so much fun she can’t wait for next year’s production! She really likes it that the students from Lifeline and NYCCC can get together and enjoy themselves. Sabrina likes doing theater because she gets to dance and sing and it’s really fun. Her dream is to become a famous dancer, singer, and actress. Sabrina really likes Dear Edwina, Jr. because she can relate to the characters she plays. Lola reminds her of herself. When she first came to PS23Q , Sabrina was shy, but then people started talking to her and she started fitting in, just like Lola. Abigail also reminds Sabrina of herself when she whines about how her brother is always bothering her and embarrassing her in front of her friends. KEVIN – (Art Cresw, Spotlight) In school, Kevin likes science, math, gym, and art. His hobbies are playing on his Xbox and his computer and talking to Leah. Despite the fact that he tried very hard not to enjoy himself because of his mom, he stayed and enjoyed working on the props and running the spot light. In the future, Kevin would like to be a game designer or join the military.

LEAH -(Prop Mistress, Art Crew) Leah’s hobbies are drawing and playing video games. Her favorite subjects in school are art, gym, and lunch. Leah would like to thank her mom because she is a nice person. What Leah likes most about doing theater and being in Dear Edwina Jr. is the opportunity to use her artistic talents to make the props for the play. In the future, Leah would like to be an artist or to work for Gamefreak (the Pokémon Company).

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