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OSSINING, N.Y. More than 70 Anne M Dorner Middle School students are set to light up the Ossining Middle School stage with Doo Wop Wed Widing Hood Thursday and Friday.
The comedy combines 1950s doo-wop music with the Grimm Fairy Tale version of Little Red Riding Hood, complete with sock hopping, poodle skirts and even an Elvis impersonating Big Bad Wolf. While the 70-member cast could be the largest in Westchester, director Jaimee Semsky said its a bit smaller than the group of 100 that originally auditioned for the show. But Semsky said the cast and crew was far easier to work with than the large number would suggest.
They really took to it and had such a great time and worked really hard to make it great, Semsky said.
Eighth-grader Suzanna Scorcia said the large cast came together pretty quickly because they all have an easy time laughing.
Were a family now, the 13-year-old said. I mean I feel like we look ridiculous but thats the characters so I dont care. Its just so much fun.
Elizabeth Blye, assistant director and AMD English teacher, said she had to sew most of the 70-plus costumes together herself with the help of a few assistants.
We had a very limited budget, so I bought a lot of fabric in bulk and a few of us worked together for hours on end in our free time over the last month or so to get them ready, Blye said. It was completely worth it for the kids. Theyve worked so hard and are so excited about the show.
Justin Ciuzio, who plays the Big Bad Wolf, said the costumes are one of the highlights of the show.
I think acting is all about going outside of your comfort zone and thats really what this is, said Justin, 13. This play is really good and I think a lot of people are going to have a ton of fun.
Eighth-grader Eli Hersh, also 13, said the cast, crew and costumes resulted in one of the weirdest shows anyone could be a part of, but thats a good thing.
Its the weirdest show Ive been in but its also really funny, she said. I think people are going to love it because there are a lot of jokes that adults and kids are going to get so its fun.
For Semsky, the show is all about appealing to the ridiculous side in everyone. Theyve worked so hard on this show, she said. Its doo-wop music so it should be fun for everyone and there are poodle skirts and who doesnt love poodle skirts?
The free show begins at 4 p.m. Thursday and 6:30 p.m. Friday at AMDs Cafetorium. Those looking for more information about the show are asked to call 914-762-5740 or email Blye.
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