From Ridgeway to Beyond Broadway: Fifth-graders steal the show in special performance

The lights may not have been shining on a Broadway stage, but for Ridgeway School’s fifth-graders, Thursday’s performance felt close enough.

Hours before their evening show for parents, students took to the school auditorium stage for a spirited daytime showcase in front of classmates and staff, giving the audience a preview of musical theater favorites including “Hamilton,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “A Chorus Line” and  “Aladdin.”

Dressed in costumes, brandishing accessories and performing original choreography, the students demonstrated the skills they developed through the Beyond Broadway program, an enrichment initiative that introduces elementary students to the fundamentals of jazz dance, Broadway movement and musical theater.

“The children are prepared to do songs from Broadway with some original choreography,” said Joe Cavise, owner of Dance Cavise in Mamaroneck, which runs the program. “Every class does a different show. Most of them are Tony Award-winners.”

The performance was especially impressive considering the limited rehearsal time. Students prepare for the showcase in just eight 30-minute sessions, totaling only four hours of instruction.

“Then we do a finale, and we do full-company run-throughs. We bring in the costumes, the kids get dressed with different accessories. We pretend we're on Broadway, and that's what it's about,” he said.

As part of the experience, students learn about the productions they perform. During the evening showcase, they share information with families about the history and significance of each Broadway show.

For many students, the program provides a first opportunity to perform before a live audience.

“A lot of the kids have never performed in front of an audience in any capacity,” Mr. Cavise said. “Every single child in the fifth grade in every school in White Plains participates. Whether they're a proficient dancer or whether they've never done this before, everybody is a team and we all do it together.”

That emphasis on inclusion is one of the hallmarks of Beyond Broadway, which has been offered in all five White Plains elementary schools for several years. Fifth-graders at each school have the opportunity to participate, with George Washington, Mamaroneck Avenue, Post Road and Ridgeway all hosting the program during the school year.

The initiative is heavily supported by The Friends of White Plains Public Schools, whose funding helps ensure that students throughout the district can participate.

Mr. Cavise, a veteran Broadway performer hailed as “Westchester’s Dance Man” by Dance Teacher Magazine, understands the value of live performance. He joined the original Broadway company of “Cats” in 1983 and has appeared in TV productions and famous stage performances.

He hopes students leave the program with confidence as well as dance skills.

“I tell the children that dance is a performing art,” Mr. Cavise said. “That means they have to perform in front of an audience. Certainly Broadway — it's a Broadway show and there's the audience and they clap.”

The showcase concludes with a finale and a special moment for every student.

“Every student takes a private bow, which is really important,” he said. “Everybody goes up and they take their own bow. It's really important for them to feel like they've accomplished something. There's a goal, there's a work process and a result at the end. Everybody feels accomplished.”

The reaction from families often reflects amazement at what the students achieve in such a short time.

“Everybody walks away, including parents, feeling like, ‘Wow, they did this in eight rehearsals,’” Mr.Cavise said.

The evening performance begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, when Ridgeway’s young performers will once again take the stage before an audience of proud family members ready to applaud their Broadway debut.

“White Plains is fabulous! They have a great support system,” Mr. Cavise said.