42 Thurston Middle School Students To Perform 42nd Street

Forty-two seventh and eighth graders from Westwood's Thurston Middle School (TMS) will perform 42nd Street on April 4, 5, and 6. It will be directed by Gina Cosimini and Jennifer Walsh, Thurston's drama teachers.

42nd Street is set during the Great Depression. The show follows the story of Julian Marsh, an infamously difficult director. Marsh is producing a musical typical of the era, Pretty Lady. After Peggy Sawyer, an ingenue fresh off the bus from her hometown, ends up as the lead, sparks fly.

When asked about why 42nd Street was chosen for the Thurston Middle School musical, Cosimini stated that the past two musicals have been High School Musical and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She reported she and Walsh wanted to present something more classic. She found 42nd Street to be “challenging but appropriate” for the group of seventh and eighth graders in the show. “It’s an Old Broadway-style show that is approachable for middle schoolers,” Cosimini says, citing the show’s play within a play format.

The show is heavy on dancing, especially tap dancing. Cosimini says that there are also a lot of set and costume changes—one of the “named dancers” in the chorus of Pretty Lady has ten costume changes. The crew of thirty-five middle schoolers who are on stage crew is up to the challenges costuming and set design provide. Cosimini reports Thurston Middle School teacher Kathy Whelen aids by sewing costumes. They also relied on some of the 1930’s costumes from TMS’ 2013 performance of Annie.

Cosimini reports that 42nd Street is kid-friendly. Performances will be at the Westwood High School on Thursday, April 4 at 7:00pm, Friday, April 5 at 7:00, and Saturday, April 6 at 2:00. Tickets may be purchased on Brown Paper Tickets.