“Up The Down Staircase” Begins Rehearsal

13 December 2012Jim Ganley

Based on the bestselling novel by Bel Kaufman, “Up the Down Staircase” focuses on an idealistic young teacher working in a large NYC school in 1959. The naïve Sylvia Barrett (Valsy B) is not prepared for the students of Calvin Coolidge High School situated in a low income, racially mixed neighbourhood.
Her colleagues, Bea Schachter (London F) and Paul Barringer (Calvin S) try to advise her, but the terrible working conditions, bureaucratic obstacles and lack of respect from her students are disheartening.
Her home room class is a mix of troubled (Carolina M), funny (Austin G), angry (Hut C), bitter (Jordan C), shy (Shalev S), annoying (James C), insecure (Nyla N), demanding (Chantei M), critical (Angie K), distracted (Addy P), helpful (Hezron R) and serious (Emma D) students.
Playwright, Bel Kaufman, writes from her own teaching experiences and the play is full of funny and poignant moments which are as real today as they were 50 years ago. Performances will be in the T Gil Bunch Centre for the Performing Arts, April 17-20 at 7:30pm.
Mrs. Susan Quinton, Director

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