'It's A Wonderful Life' Opening Night At John Jay Middle School

CROSS RIVER, NY — A holiday tradition has come to life off the screen and in living color with John Jay Middle School's production of "It's a Wonderful Life."

From the Katonah-Lewisboro School District.

"The message of the play: don’t throw your life away," said seventh grader Emmett, who plays the lead in John Jay Middle School’s production of "It’s a Wonderful Life." "Even if you think something bad is going to happen. You might be surprised."

"I think the message of the play is … it’s a wonderful life!" said eighth grader Patrick, who plays the show’s villain.

Catch some of the good feelings in John Jay Middle School's production of "It's a Wonderful Life," directed by David Fritsch, produced by Marcia Daley-Savo and featuring sixty students in the cast and crew. The show runs Thursday, November 21; Friday, November 22, and Saturday, November 23, at 7 p.m., plus a 1 p.m. matinee on Saturday. Tickets are available at the door for $10.

"This was the right time to do this show," said Director Fritsch, referring to the story’s reminder that each person can make a positive difference in the lives of others.

This year, the school brought back the tradition of showing a preview of the fall drama for the entire student body the week before the show opened.

We stopped into the cafeteria to talk to students to find out what they thought about the production.

"We liked it," said Rebecca, Arden, Madeleine, and Emily, who were sitting together. "We wish we could have watched the whole show."

"I give it a solid five out of five," said Declan, who was sitting with Edward, Andrew and Rocco. "The preview was too short," they said, adding that they might go to the Saturday show, and that they might want to be part of the next show — as stage crew.

The next table included some of the actors. They were excited to talk about the show. Adrianna, who plays Aunt Tilly; Natya, a townsperson; and Greta, who is Janey Bailey, love being part of the production and getting to know people in other grades.

"Even though I’m in it, watching from the audience was so cool!" said Adrianna. "It’s amazing," said Greta. "Go see it!"

Zanai, another sixth grader, was in the scene selected for the previews. She plays the bodyguard for the show’s villain. Zanai said that this is her first year at Katonah-Lewisboro Schools, and this is the first play she's ever been in. She listed ten family members who would be coming to opening night.

She said the previews were a great idea. "They will definitely inspire people to see the show and they were helpful for the actors to see how it feels doing the real play," she said. "I’m not scared anymore."

"Being in the play has been a ten out of ten experience," said Zanai. "It helps me make new friends and meet people I haven’t talked to yet."

Emilia, who plays Mary, George Bailey’s mother, agrees. "It’s fun to be part of the show," she said. "Its message is about how we all make a big impact on people we meet."

This release was produced by the Katonah-Lewisboro School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.