Arts 10566 Musical Starring Students Is the Cat's Meow!

An appreciative and admiring audience of parents, educators, creative artists and Peekskill officials gave a rousing ovation Friday night to a talented stage-full of students appearing in and behind the scenes of "Concert Hall Cats."

The ambitious production -- complete with live and recorded music, colorful costumes, acrobatic choreography and hand-made scenery -- was adapted from the award-winning children's book of the same name.

The book is a collaboration of the McDermott family of Westchester. Author Michael McDermott is a town justice in Somers, where the family resides. He and wife Fausta, who co-authored the book, are partners in a private law practice. Son Joseph McDermott illustrated the story.

The production, directed by veteran Peekskill youth arts champion Scarlett Antonia, was jointly produced by Arts 10566 (http://www.arts10566.org), whose mission is to address the varied interests and needs of Peekskill's diverse youth community through the arts; Peekskill Middle School; City of Peekskill; and Peekskill Youth Bureau.

Pictured is the cast and crew of the show at the curtain call with program director Alvenia Smith addressing the audience. In the second photo (from left) Arts 10566 executive director Wilfredo Morel thanks playwright Garth Sealy, Fausta McDermott, Joe McDermott and Michael McDermott. (Photos by Bruce Apar). Also in attendance was Peekskill Mayor Andre Rainey and City Manager Richard Leins, among other city notables.

Copies of the book and Arts 10566 t-shirts were sold in the lobby as a fundraiser for the not-for-profit organization that is one of the jewels of the community for the great work it does. According to its website, Arts 10566 creates "an open community forum where skills and ideas are exchanged, individuals are connected and resources can be used to stabilize, rejuvenate, and unify the city."

Following is the synopsis of "The Concert Hall Cats" book that appears on Amazon, where it can be purchased (https://www.amazon.com/Concert-Hall-Cats-Fausta-McDermott/dp/0985541776):

Horatio the Cat lives with his wife, Sofia, and their kittens, Eddie and Mary, in the attic of a majestic old concert hall. Jimmy the Janitor lives in the basement, and he spends his days taking care of the concert hall. Every morning Jimmy brings the little family a big bowl of milk and special treats to eat. As he works keeping the concert hall clean and tidy, Jimmy loves listening to the kittens playing among the old musical instruments in the attic. Now that huge movie theaters and shopping malls have been built across town, only a few people come to hear the orchestra's Friday evening performances. So the grumpy landlords have decided to tear down the concert hall and replace it with a parking lot. However, they may change their minds if all the seats are filled with people for the last performance. Horatio and his family take up the challenge, and the courageous kittens come up with a last minute plan to save the concert hall and Jimmy's home. Will their efforts be rewarded? Turn the pages and find out.