School gives ‘Twist’ to play

Thursday, April 26, 2007

School gives ‘Twist’ to play

by Katherine Mullen | Staff Writer

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Bill Ryan⁄The Gazette

Sixth-grader Jacob Peterson and eighth-graders Eliza Fletcher and Adriene Pucino rehearse for “Oliver Twist“ at Friends Meeting School, in New Windsor on Saturday.

When Friends Meeting School wants to bring nearly all of its students, parents and teachers together, it produces a springtime community play.

From finding costumes and building a stage set to providing snacks during rehearsal, the school’s whole community becomes involved, said Brenda Yankaskas, performing arts teacher at the Ijamsville school.

This year is no different as students, parents and teachers prepare to star in the musical ‘‘Oliver Twist,” at the Weinberg Center for the Arts on Sunday.

The Friends Meeting School is a private Quaker school with students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grades.

Of the 31 actors in ‘‘Oliver Twist,” four are adults. The community play gives younger students the opportunity to interact with the older students and parents to interact with their children, Yankaskas said.

‘‘It helps to bring the whole school together and raise spirits and morale,” Yankaskas said.

Glenn Singer, assistant head of the school, watched his students rehearse on stage last week against a colorful backdrop that depicted city life in 19th century England.

Singer, who will play the part of ‘‘Mr. Bumble” in the stage adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic, said the performing arts and the idea of community are a big part of the school’s culture.

Yankaskas agreed. The community play brings out a child’s creativity and confidence and allows the student to discover skills and talents, she said.

Parent Stacy Passaro said her daughter, Alexis, loves to perform in plays and has discovered a flair for the dramatic. Passaro, a Mount Airy resident, said her second-grader has a role as one of the urchins.

This year’s play is the last for Adriene Pucino, 14, since she is an eighth-grader. Dressed in a long black coat with sewn-on patches and sporting a top hat during rehearsal last week, Adriene said she is both sad and excited.

Her role as the hardened criminal ‘‘Fagin” gave her the opportunity to play a male character. It was a strange experience learning certain male characteristics, Adriene said.

‘‘It’s difficult in a way, but it’s a lot of fun,” Adriene said.

Since the school’s space is limited, Singer said, they decided to hold their annual performance at the Weinberg Center beginning last year.

The Weinberg Center is featuring the school on the building’s marquee this week, and having the school’s name in lights pleases Singer. He said Friends Meeting School is the ‘‘best-kept secret in the county.”