NEW ROCHELLE, NY — William B. Ward Elementary School students took a trip to Manhattan and into a musical world of make-believe when they saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on Broadway this week.
With more than 190 students and 25 adults, Wednesday’s mid-day trip to the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre was the largest of the school’s annual visits to the theatre district in recent memory, said fifth-grade teacher Jonathan Fox, who has participated in the event for the past seven years.
On past trips, students have seen Aladdin, Annie, Matilda the Musical, and others.
Fifth-grader Karla Alvarez was looking forward to this year’s trip because she had read the Roald Dahl book the show is based on, and had seen both movie versions.
“It’s exciting to see it once again because it was part of my childhood,” she said.
While this was Alvarez’s first Broadway show, her classmate, Jake Neiterman, had gone once before to see The Lion King.
“I’m excited because I love Broadway shows,” he said shortly before leaving for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. “I’ve read the book, and I’ve seen the movies, and I want to compare them.”
The students’ tickets are purchased with the support of the school’s Fifth Grade Committee, a group of parent volunteers.
“We have many kids who have never had the Broadway experience,” said Assistant Principal Kimberly Peluso. “It’s great to see their enthusiasm.”
