3 Sisters Pizza: Director’s Note
This year’s spring musical, “3 Sisters Pizza,” was a completely original work co-written and produced by members of the IMS community.
In reflection of how this original production came to fruition, Playwright and Director Danny Tieger had this to share:
“Theater is a uniquely collaborative art. This seed of this musical began as a very silly idea. I thought of the name and suddenly imagined this antique play by Chekov, adapted and sent through a “Disney channel-ification,” and it made me laugh. And since jokes are just weird ideas you have until you share them, I mentioned it to Ms. Tieger and Ms. Domenick. Their belief in that idea and their immediate suggestions for potential ridiculousness are what made it seem possible.
Then this winter, I sat down with Donald Sosin and Craig Pecchia. Both immediately saw the opportunity in the challenge. The score, arranged and conducted for a pit of student musicians, is extraordinary, as is this set.
Early drafts were read aloud by the seventh grade public speaking classes, who gave notes and very honest feedback. Then, in seven weeks, this show was passed through the imaginations of fifty theater company students, cast members, musicians, and student designers, and even a kindergarten class of pizza art creators.
It is the product of a very few, very full rehearsals. Of recess sing-throughs; of understudies stepping in when needed; of students working in their own time to create detailed props, costumes, and performances; of a community making something they care about.
And then in the final moments, the community of collaborators got even larger. So I want to thank the Stephanopoulos family for their support in bringing 3 Sisters Pizza to life. How perfect that Four Brothers would support these 3 Sisters?”
— Danny Tieger
This production is a prime example of the spirit of collaboration ingrained throughout our community. Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating the talents and artistry of our performers this school year.
