Four students from the Comiskey School's musical 101 Dalmations sing their opinion of the play's Villaness, "Cruella DeVille" in the first act of last Friday Night's sold out performance at the HIgh School's Mary Grani Corrigan Auditorium. Over 120 students from grades k-5 took part in the entertaining performances on both Friday and Saturday nights. From top Left: Gabrielle Cicio, the Nanny, Olivia Gagnon, Anita. Front, P&P Pups, Julia Passalacqua and Cameron Monez. Photo by Bill Croney,The Northfield News Northfield Elementary School has gone to the dogs!

Last weekend, the stage at the Mary Corrigan Auditorium in the High School was filled with spotted puppies. They performed under the direction of Music teachers Maggie Cook and her assistant/accompanist Lorraine Monmaney. The performance of Disney’s 101 Dalmatians was delightful and heartwarming entertainment for a cold winter night.

Based on a screenplay by Bill Peet with music and lyrics by Mel Leven, Randy Rogel, Richard Gibbs, Brian Smith, Marin Lee Fuller, and Dan Root, the auditorium rocked to the sound of children’s voices.

The story is about an eccentric couple, Roger (Connoe Duncan) and Anita (Olivia Gagnon), who have a great many Dalmatian puppies as pets. Their evil neighbor, Cruella DeVille (Lydia Reed) and her henchmen (Paul Bean and Kyle Booth) kidnap the pets. Her wicked plans are to use their fur to make a new coat for her collection. In the end the pets are freed and the evildoers are taken away.

The cast included four narrators, Catherine Miles, Kayla Audette, Analiese Morvan and Kalysta Martel, who provided the pieces of the story that were not acted on the stage. Gabreille Cicico played the puppy’s grey haired Nanny. The Thunderbolt Singers, the Kanine Krunchies Singers, and the Special Dogs: Boxers, Scotties, French Poodles, and Chihuahas, and the P&P Puppies were featured in several songs. Taylor Woronecki, Renee Herring, and Crystal Chamberlin had supporting roles. The other groups of actors, The Big Dogs and The Puppies completed the cast of 124 children.

The musical included ten musical numbers in two acts. The Company was well prepared and performed with enthusiasm and clear voices. Movements that were choreographed to enhance the music transformed the students into real puppies. It was a pleasure to watch the results of many hours of hard work by so many people.

The sound equipment, courtesy of Grace Church, was managed by Fred Doten. This made it possible to hear the singers. Lighting was provided by Olivia Bussiere and Ben Burr. Costumes were made with the help of Kathy Wawryzniak and Denise Warren. The background and set were made possible by the cooperation of the Northfield Elementary School Staff and help of many parents.

Parents, grandparents and community members filled the auditorium to capacity for both performances. They were not disappointed. We in Northfield are fortunate to have talented teachers and students and the facilities available to stage musical productions. Ms. Cook promised that there will be other staged musical events later this year. She suggested that the audience should look for future events and dates on the school web site or in the newspaper.