A special, free preview for senior citizens is scheduled Monday at 3 p.m. at the recently renovated venue located at 31 W. Main St. downtown in the village. This is the second creative collaboration between the district and the theater this academic year, following Gowanda High’s recent production of “The 20th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” by its student-run Thespian Society. The success of those performances paved the way for GMS to take center stage this month.

“Dear Edwina Jr.” is an uplifting musical about the joys of growing up. This heart-warming story is upbeat and filled with endearing characters and memorable songs. The plot follows the adventures of Edwina Spoonaple, an extraordinary young girl full of good advice, which she openly offers to neighborhood kids. With her latest edition of her weekly “Advice-a-Palooza” column in mind, she directs her peers through a series of production numbers. Along with her friends, Edwina shares insight on multiple topics – including trying out new foods and making friends – through clever musical numbers and quick-witted dialogue.

Preparations for this year’s musical are in full swing at GMS. Volunteers are busy making costumes, creating wheelbarrows full of props as well as building a 24-foot garage on stage. The music rooms, classrooms, auditorium and hallways have also been alive with lines, lyrics and choreography these past few weeks in preparation for the upcoming show. The middle school performers are excited to share the happiness and joy that is sure to come with this musical to families and community members.

“We’ve had a two-year break from normal tradition. There is not a year that I can think of where we did not have a full crowd at our musical and this year, as we return to ‘normal’ with a crowd, we have to step back and acknowledge all that these kids have gone through and we still are not back to where we were,” says GMS music teacher and musical director Adam Bett. “In the theater, they say the show must go on and at Gowanda, we say that and more. We’ve had our own set of challenges in an unfamiliar space due to Capital Project construction and this musical has helped to teach the kids how to pivot in circumstances, rise above challenges and relearn critical social skills. “Dear Edwina” is the epitome of persistence, curiosity and the importance of helping others rise – just like the spirit of Gowanda.”

Amelia Pickering is "Edwina."

The district is eager for the community and families to see the results of the students’ hard work and dedication during these trying times. March is Music in Our Schools Month, so the performance is an ideal way to help unite the district and community.

“These students have not only managed to successfully navigate all of their school responsibilities, but have also stayed positive role models in the classroom,” says Bett. “To say they have a lot on their plates would be an understatement. With not having a live audience in two years, plus the logistics of moving our entire production to a new performance space, this musical experience has provided us with many unique challenges we have never encountered, which include getting to, rehearsing in and adjusting to many different spaces and areas. Our team has faced these challenges head on, working intensely to put on the best musical experience for our students and community that we can!”

GMS Principal Todd Miklas agrees the challenges presented by the pandemic have overlapped with those of putting on a large-scale musical.

“It’s hard to put myself into the shoes of these kids. COVID has created an impact that they will have for the rest of their lives. Much like the musical, they will look back on this experience with the utmost positivity,” says Miklas. “The energy level of our students for this musical experience has been tremendous. While other schools have gone without music, arts and theater in the pandemic, Gowanda school district and our incredible Mr. Bett saw it not as an obstacle, but a challenge that we could overcome with persistence.”

Last year’s successful rendition of “Winnie the Pooh,” although not in person, was a huge success so the district anticipates another astonishing production with “Dear Edwina Jr.”

Amelia Pickering

“The hard work has not gone unnoticed. The time commitment has been extensive, especially for this show. It takes a lot to put on any production and the students and staff have dedicated themselves to making sure this is the best performance to date, even though it is not in our auditorium or a familiar location,” says Miklas. “It is great seeing their energy and enthusiasm as they head on down to rehearsal – yes, I can even imagine their smiles beneath the masks. I continue to be impressed with our students’ pride in our school and the opportunities and activities that they have available to them, such as the musical.”

Milkas cites Mr. Bett and his vision, organization, communication, and ability to direct all of the moving components as instrumental in pulling off this production.

“I honestly don’t know how he manages to make all of these things come together, and the absolutely amazing work by this passionate educator will never go unnoticed!”

The district is thankful for the partnership with the Hollywood Theater and its collaborations that benefit our Panther family and the community while also supporting the arts.

CAST AND CHARACERS

Performers in "Edwina."

Performing the roles of the “Napkins” are Mallory Berndt, Kyra Mae Hurley, Leah Hull, Allie Barnes, Taylor Tussing, and Karla Jane Walker.

The “Cheerleaders” are played by Gowanda’s own talented youth cheerleaders including Ayla Sullivan, Isabella Bailey, Mackenzie Breedlove, Envy Cross, Adrianna Fish, Alayna Fish, Bella Maines, Hayleigh Miller, Tobie Smigiel, Charleigh Smith, Raelin Smith, and Brandi Washington.

Taking on the roles as the “Cutlery” are Tessa Bylbie, Brielle Crowell, Aiden Geiger, Jaxon Hagan, Emjay Jaskowiak, Logan Kehr, Taundi Ondus, Lilah Pfaffenbach, Matthew Schlegel, Bailey Shields, Claryce Stevens, Dane Taber, Emily Valentine, Ella Wolff, and Hayden Zwierzchowski.

“Harry’s Family” is played by Kayla Carr, Lilly Gaskins, Madden Wallschlaeger, and Delanie Wright.

Singing and dancing the roles of the “Harry’s Party Guests” include Hayden Brunn, Kaiden Davenport, James Griffo, Trinity Long, Carter Scott, Isabella Shomper, Laniyah Twoguns, Jonah Wampler, and Pyxi Zybert.

A performer in "Edwina."

The “Pigs” in this performance include Triston Batcho, Kalie Bellinger, Mackenzie Carkeek, Jaylynn Dulski, Logan Goddard, Jude Hales, Dakota Martin, Drew Reid, Alivia Richter, Gabriel Snyder, Katalina Soska, and Cameron Utley.

“Shelley Mary’s Party Guests” will be played by Colton Bennett, Autumn Goode, Ella Jimerson, Charlotte John, Kara Laskey, Anna Loving, Jaden McKeever, Elisia Mullen, Draycelyn Smith, and Rylee Yasurek.

Performing the roles of “Waiters” include, Aidan Carroll, Josalyn Coughenour, Isabelle Gill, Sully Griffith, Christopher Hojnacki, Cora Luther, Jaelyn Mason, Riley Neu, Felix Parks, Lea Shultz, Norah Tadt, and Skylar Toczek.

“Ziggy’s Band” will be played by Nathan Adams, Grand Berry, Memphis Clark, Jackson Cook, Patrick Kennedy, Casen Lemke, Wyatt Miller, Ace Washburn, Gavin Whitcher, and Kanden Woods.

Featured roles include: Raelyn Diebel as “Abigail Mathilda Fleckenheimer,” Hayleigh Hooper as “Annie/Mary Sue Betty Bob,” Kaityln Kelley as “Aphrodite Colossus Athena Swenson,” and Mr. Lucas Brawdy as “Dr. Bearer.” Colton Davis will play “Bobby” while Kaela Van Note plays “Carrie.” “Chef Ludmilla” will be performed by Sophia Birtchnall while Molly Bettker plays “Becky Del Vecchio.”

The costume room at the Hollywood Theater is packed with apparel for “Dear Edwina Jr.” the musical starting Gowanda Middle School students.

The role of “Fairy Fork Father ” will be played by Richard Kuras, “Farmer Jerry” by Aiden Carroll and “Frank” by Drezden Spire. “Frank’s Ma ” will be performed by Maddison Smith. Jeffery Whipple will be taking on the role of “Harry” while Sara Lilly will be playing “Harry’s Mom” and Robert Dalimonte “Harry’s Dad.” The role of “Johnny” will be performed by Elliott Graham while “Lola” will be played by Gadeo:nosta’ Wisniewski.

Taking on the role of “Ziggy Montego” is Weston Bolen. Helena Wallschlaeger will be playing “Periwinkle Hurgen Burgen Yurgenson” and Isabelle DeGolier will be playing “Kelli Poshkonozovich.” Addisyn Phair will be performing the role of “Queen Boolah Boolah” while Chris Muntz will be “Scott Kunkle.” Savannah Smith will be taking on the role of “Mary Shelly.”

The Spoonapple family will be played by Amelia Pickering as “Edwina Spoonapple” and Porter Lempke as “Joe Spoonapple.” They will be joined by Jocelyn Schuster as “Katie Spoonapple” and Alana Muenzer as “Myra Spoonapple.”

Rounding out the feature roles include Principal Todd Miklas as “Sonoma,” Isabelle Graham as “Susie” and Patsy Griffith as the “Talent Scout.” The ever-entertaining Mr. David Smith, village mayor, will play “William” while Zander Hammond will be performing “Billy Vanderploonk.” The role of “Cordell Vanderploonk will be played by Colton Gernatt alongside Morgan Ruff as “Lars Vanderploonk. “Vladimir” will be played by Mr. Kevin Stapleton.

— Submitted by Erin Browning: GMS sixth Grade Teacher & GMS Musical Producer