'Winnie the Pooh' Opens at Harvey School Feb. 2

The Harvey School proudly presents A. A. Milne’s “Winnie the Pooh.”  As part of the school’s community outreach program, The Performing Arts Department has created a new teen theatre company designed to produce children’s productions for elementary school students in Westchester and Putnam.  On two Saturdays, February 2 and February 9 at 1:00 PM, the troupe will present the show for children of all ages at the Lasdon Theater in The Walker Center for the Arts on the Harvey campus. 

 “We think the idea of young people watching live theatre performed by local high school students is an effective way to promote the spirit of the arts and arts education,” said Harvey’s Performing Arts Chair and production director, Vinny Alexander.  “Historically, the arts were used as a way to teach and strengthen communities.  That is the goal of this new teen program.  ‘Winnie the Pooh’ offers lessons about friendship and acceptance.  It is also a lot of fun to watch.” 

There are two stories included in this dramatization by Kristin Sergel that will be familiar to Winnie the Pooh fans.  There is the story of Kanga, the maternal kangaroo, coming for the first time to the hundred-acre wood, scaring all the forest creatures with her bathtubs, soap and medicines.  The second story is the account of Pooh eating too much and getting stuck in Rabbit’s front door for quite sometime.  This production will certainly delight children and it is a wonderful way for families to spend time together while at the same time supporting arts education. 

One thing that makes The Harvey School unique is its dedication to arts education.  The Walker Center for the Arts boasts 22,000 square feet of education space designated to music, theatre, dance, video production and the fine arts.  The teen program, even as an ancillary offering, avails itself of all the facilities and equipment that the center has to offer.  There are plans to expand community outreach opportunities. 

The teen program began as an offshoot of the school’s summer camp.  There are fifteen teen students who come together every Saturday morning to rehearse for this production.  The group is made up of students from The Harvey School and a variety of neighboring high schools and districts.  Harvey School student, Olivia Bady of Katonah plays Rabbit.  “It’s fun being able to do a children’s production and performing in front of an enthusiastic, young audience,” she said. 

The production runs an hour.  There will be refreshments available before and after the show.  The Performing Arts Department is asking theatergoers to make a donation of $5.00 at the door to help defray production costs.  For more information, call (914) 232-3161 ext. 161.