Gray Maxwell ’29

42nd Street Rehearsal

At Pine Crest, the stage is set for this year’s Upper School musical, 42nd Street, opening on November 6, 7, and 8, with performances at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and a 1:00 p.m. show on Saturday. Students will also get a special preview performance before opening night in an all-school assembly. As rehearsals intensify and the countdown to showtime begins, the cast and crew are working tirelessly to bring the classic Broadway story to life.

Auditions for the show took place in late August, marking the start of months of preparation. Since then, the cast has rehearsed three to four times a week, including weekends, to perfect tap choreography, memorize lines, and master their musical numbers. Tech week begins on October 27, with rehearsals extending until 7:00 p.m. each night as the finishing touches are added to the performance.

42nd Street is a classic musical set in New York City in 1933. The musical follows Peggy Sawyer, an ambitious young performer who arrives in the city with dreams of making it on Broadway. After missing her first audition for a new show called Pretty Lady, Peggy’s determination pays off when she earns a place in the chorus. But when the lead is injured on opening night, Peggy steps into the spotlight and proves she has what it takes to be a real performer. Much like Peggy, Pine Crest performers know what it’s like to juggle nerves, lines, and dance shoes.

Many Pine Crest students shared that preparing for such a musical has been both challenging and rewarding. 

“I play the lead role of Peggy Sawyer, a bubbly, joyful, and very talented tapper,” said Audrey Sobchak ’26. “Even though I’ve only tap-danced once before, I practice my tapping and review choreography almost every day at home. People should come watch 42nd Street because the songs are catchy, the dance numbers are spectacular, and the story shows that if you work hard and believe in yourself, you can achieve your wildest dreams.”

Other cast members shared similar excitement. Claudia Ajay ’26, who plays Maggie, the producer of Pretty Lady, described the process as both exciting and bittersweet. “Preparing for the musical is going well! To get ready, I am reviewing my lines each day to make sure I remember them and practicing my music and blocking,” she said. “To ensure I give my best performance, I spend a lot of time on each line determining the best motivation behind it, vocal inflection, and facial expressions.”

As a senior, she shared some of her feelings about her final Pine Crest performance. “I am super excited, but also a little bit sad about this being my last Pine Crest musical,” Claudia said. “Overall, I think it’s going to be a lot of fun, and I can’t wait!”

The excitement is shared across the cast. “Preparation is going well! We rehearse multiple times a week and are committed to making 42nd Street the best it can be,” said Adelle Gozdanker ’27, who plays Robin. “The show captures the excitement and behind-the-scenes experience of putting on a Broadway production. With 13 seniors involved and over 40 cast and crew members total, this is the most seniors Pine Crest has ever had in an Upper School musical.”

Claudia summed up the cast’s excitement perfectly. “Everyone should come and watch the musical because we will have super fun, shiny costumes, exciting songs and tap numbers, and a plot that will keep you on your toes,” she said. “We’ve been working super hard on it, and it will be a great opportunity to show school spirit and support your friends!”

With energetic tap numbers, dazzling choreography, and a timeless Broadway classic story about dreams and determination, 42nd Street promises to be an unforgettable experience for everyone. As opening night approaches, the Cast is ready and excited to step into the spotlight and share the result of months of hard work and passion with the audience. We can’t wait for this year’s musical and hope to see you there. Don’t miss 42nd Street on November 6 and 7 at 7:00 p.m. and November 8 at 2:00 p.m. in Stacy Auditorium.