Westwood High School To Present Stuart Little

Westwood High School will present its second annual Spring Play, Stuart Little, on June 7 and 8. Last year’s Charlotte’s Web was deemed a success by both staff and students.

“Stuart Little, like Charlotte’s Web, uses a theatre for young audiences framing,” says Jen Walsh. Walsh, alongside her fellow Thurston Middle School drama teacher Gina Cosimini, directs the play. Performed in the Westwood High School courtyard, this framing encourages audience members to bring chairs, blankets, and even a picnic meal as they watch. It also appears in the cast’s costumes of solid colors and colorful knee socks. Set pieces designed to look like alphabet blocks, made by Westwood High School’s Technical Theatre class, add to this effect. Walsh notes that both directors try to pick either a book which is part of the elementary schools’ curriculum or one familiar to children.

“The people,” Cassidy Hall, who plays Snowbell/Henry, laughs enthusiastically when asked why she opted to do this play. “It’s my sixth school production,” agrees David Maggiocomo, who plays the Bureau Chief/Spectator 1. Tania Martin, who plays Angie/Katherine/Narrator, notes that her extracurricular schedule permits for her to do both the Spring Play and Winter Musical.

The cast all effuse about how much they enjoy having the young audience members greet them after a show. Sami Parazin, who plays Margolo/Harry, comments that her favorite part about theatre for young audiences is “Seeing all of the kids faces light up in joy when they see us come on stage, as well as taking photos with them after. When that happened last year, I felt like a celebrity!”

As WHS’ graduation is June 2, the show’s token senior, Parazin, was asked about coming back for a show after she graduates. “It's going to be interesting, going back to the place that I just left, but I won't mind. It'll be fun to relax during the day and then come back and rehearse.”

Stuart Little will be performed in the Westwood High School’s courtyard June 7 at 5:30pm, and June 8 at 10:30am and 1:30pm. Tickets will be $5 and may be purchased here.