69. Musical Theater: Second Grade

Second graders perform two separate musicals in a celebration of New York City, all with the same finale, a medley of songs about New York. Playbills from second grade musical theater productions.

The second grade musical is a culminating experience, bringing together social studies learning about New York City, the re-interpretation of a work of children’s literature, and existing musical theater numbers in a celebration of song and dance. Each year, the second grade performs two separate musicals: three houses perform one and two perform the other. All musicals have the same finale, a medley of songs about New York City, which provides a common experience for all second graders.

The musicals are designed for maximum equity and involve the entire house in the storytelling, without casting “leads.” Each house is responsible for two unique musical numbers and each child has one line to speak alone. I have adapted four musical in the repertory, all with a New York City theme, adapted into musicals by Justin Greer, the Dance and Theater Specialist. The songs used are versions of existing musical theater songs with lyrics that have been gently rewritten to support the plots. Our “orchestra” is Nate Buccieri, a visiting music director and cabaret performer, who accompanies on the piano while I “stage manage” from the back of the house. The eight-week process involves weekly rehearsals in my Dance and Theater , and music rehearsals with their Music teachers, Janet Chinelli and Nancy Silber. A primary goal for the project, aside from the razzle-dazzle, is the exercise of important life skills such as collaboration, teamwork, persistence, diligence, cooperation, and emotional flexibility. The first show was in 2007 and continues to this day.
—Justin Greer, First Program, Dance and Theater Specialist