To the Editor:

Congratulations to the cast and crew of the Voorheesville Middle School production of “Guys and Dolls” for three outstanding performances on Nov. 22, 23, and 24. 

The play was directed by Steve Suriano, produced by Desiree Chappelle Streeter, and under the musical direction of Christina Beauregard. The play follows the stories of two couples — the doll from the local mission and the gambler she just met, and the dancer from the Hot Box Club engaged to her gambler boyfriend for 14 years and eager to get married.

With 54 students on stage, it was an amazing showcase for the talents of young performers — not just those singing and dancing on stage, but those managing backstage operations, controlling the soundboards, coordinating the lighting changes, or student directing.

Addam Effinger and his incredible team of set builders provided amazing backdrops for the play, including a rotating platform that changed the backdrop from the mission interior, to the street scene outside the mission, to the Hot Box Club.

Rebecca Tillou and her team provided the props that set the stage, and Megan Viscio led our team of costumers.

Set in the 1940s, hair styles played an important part in setting the era. Paula Genovesi selected the wigs and led the hair stylists, assisted by backstage and at-home moms wielding curling irons. High school drama club members created onstage magic with their makeup skills.

Each year, Linda Martin and the volunteers at Karie Jean’s Closet, a thrift shop in Voorheesville, donate clothes, shoes, belts, purses, hats, and anything else we think would complete our costuming needs.

Thank you to all of them and to all of the other generous sponsors of the play. Thanks also to The Altamont Enterprise photographer, Michael Koff, for taking the time to come to capture wonderful images of the play rehearsal for publication in the newspaper.

Volunteers play an important role in making this play experience happen, with familiar faces among the volunteers as their child moves through middle school or younger siblings follow behind. New, first-time volunteers also join the ranks.

One new face became very familiar to the students. Joann Vossler was there every day chaperoning the students during play rehearsals and performances, while supporting her granddaughter who was in the play. Her daily presence filled a role that is difficult for parents who work or have younger siblings at home to be able to take on during rehearsal times which begin at 2:30 p.m.

Each year, the middle-school play, which begins rehearsals shortly after school begins in September, provides an opportunity for incoming sixth-graders to be immediately welcomed into an activity that introduces them to older middle-school students, as well as high school interns.

Friendships form among students cast together as onstage groups and those waiting together for their call to come onstage. What a great way to help young students moving up from elementary school feel at home in a new school!

Sharon Breisch

New Scotland