On January 25 and 26, 38 Grade 4 and 5 students participated in the musical production of Aristocats Kids at the Robert B. Gaw Theatre. Here, our talented Grade 4 and 5 panthers brought the streets of Paris to life in an adventure where jazzy alley cats collide with sophisticated aristo-cats!
The musical is based on Disney’s beloved animated film, The Aristocats. It features a jazzy and upbeat score that takes the audience on a nonstop thrill ride of feline fun with unbelievable twists and turns. The story features a kind and eccentric millionairess who leaves her entire estate to the Duchess, her high-society cat, and her three little kittens. However, her greedy and bumbling butler plans to kidnap the cats, and it is up to Thomas O’Malley, a rough-and-tumble alley cat, and his band of swingin’ jazz cats to save the day.
When asked why she chose to put on this particular musical, Director, and ES faculty member Tracy Caton shared that she chose Aristocats Kids due to its fun jazz music component. “I thought it would be a fun musical to put on, as it showcases the setting of Paris and the French countryside. There is a similar juxtaposition between the alley cats and the Aristocats and how they become friends by the end of the musical. All of these elements were important to the underlying theme.” Tracy adds that the underlying message is about how we are all the “same on the inside,” which resonates well with our school’s Mission and Vision and is an excellent example of inclusion.
Tracy mentioned that she received a lot of support from various members of the ISKL community. She had three excellent ES teachers who worked with her throughout the whole time, and they helped manage the students and monitored them. Additionally, there were people in charge of set design and costumes so that Tracy could communicate her vision to them, and they would implement it. “These individuals were given autonomy and their own space for creativity while being guided in the process.,” she adds.
Tracy also mentions how ISKL’s Performing Arts team is an excellent resource for the school, “The team consists of highly qualified individuals who are fully capable of contributing their ideas to a production as well – I owe a lot to them,” she says.
Congratulations to the talented cast members and everyone working behind the scenes. Seeing our Elementary students in the musical has been an absolute joy, and it takes tremendous practice, courage, and self-confidence to perform with such poise and polish in front of peers and parents.
Many thanks go to Tracy Caton (director), Ciara Cheng and Robyn Steuernagel (assistant directors), Nicole Miller (assistant director and set designer), Katie Milton (costume designer), Tina Casey (front of house manager), and all our outstanding PAC team members who assisted in the production.
