Jan. 22, 2014:  Last Saturday and Sunday, the auditorium at The Bronxville School was filled with beautiful princesses, wicked queens, and "funny little men" as elementary school students in grades three, four, and five brought the musical Snow White & The Dwarfs to the stage. One hundred fifty children participated in the production, which was created in only ten short days. Click here to see photos: Snow White & The Dwarfs.

For the last thirteen years, the school has coordinated efforts with the Jefferson Youth Theater, based in Charlottesville, Virginia. The company was first introduced to the school when teacher Dianne Aronson's son was in a production with the same company at his own elementary school. The following year, Bronxville students put on the first production at the school, which coincidentally was also Snow White. With the remarkable help of parent volunteers, the annual play in January has become part of the fabric of the school. Middle and high school students stopped in at rehearsals this year and remembered their experiences with fondness.

Peter Ryan, who adapted the script, wrote the songs, and directed the production, found a way to please everyone. In the two casts, cast A and cast B, most of the major roles were shared. For example, there were four Snow Whites, reflecting her growth over the years, and two queens, one more evil than the next, and, of course, more than seven dwarfs. Original songs by Peter Ryan, such as "Mirror, Mirror," "Daddy Please," "Furry Friends," and "Dig, Dig, Dig," filled the auditorium, and the children danced and sparkled under the expert care of choreographer Leisha Horin.

This year's dedicated theater arts committee consisted of two teachers, Dianne Aronson and Kendall Fousek, along with drama mamas Cindy Randall, Lisa Rao, and Jennifer Spitz (cast A) and Carter Callaway, Jen Bruno, and Allison Harr (cast B). Additionally, costume coordinators "extraordinaire" Jean Formato, Maureen Hennessy, and Tricia Reilly worked tirelessly to make sure everyone looked his or her best. Without their support and the amazing help of other innumerable parents, a production like this would not be possible. The two teachers who helped to produce the play are in awe of the time, commitment, and energy that the parent volunteers bring to the production. "We couldn't do it without them!" they said.

The halls of the school were "abuzz" on Tuesday with children, teachers, and parents feeling tired but happy. Accolades filled the air as proud children heard from their teachers and friends. To quote a fifth grader, "I'm so glad I did the play this year. I'm sad that it's over. I had the time of my life."

Pictured here:  The two casts of Snow White & The Dwarfs. 

Photos by Jane Ircha (cast A) and Sharon Robinson (cast B)