WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From Westchester Broadway Theatre. April 2, 2005:

The Westchester Broadway Theatre, in Elmsford, Bob Funking and  Bill Stutler those showmen who know theatre and have been turning a healthy profit at the bistro/theatre/showplace in Elmsford for 30 years are introducing an exciting new feature for Westchester residents with children this summer – the 2005 WBT Summer Theatre Workshop. 

This is a terrific new summer venue for kids, where they learn all about the different aspects of the theatre; Acting, Dance, Voice, Staging….even Improvisation, in a fun and entertaining environment.

The Summer Theatre Workshop is offering 3 consecutive three-week sessions; June 27 thru July 15, July18 thru August 5, and August 8 thru August 26.  All sessions run Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm, and are a great place for the kids to be entertained and instructed while school is out and the parents are still at work each weekday.

Funking, and his partner, William Stutler, have hired John Fanelli as the Summer Theatre Workshop’s Artistic Director.  Mr. Fanelli brings over 10 years of experience in the field of Children’s and Young Person’s theatre to the Workshop, having taught and directed thousands of youngsters throughout California, and even internationally in New Zealand. John has shaped an exciting and innovative educational approach that has inspired these kids to pursue their goals, theatrical and otherwise.  Mr. Fanelli holds a BA from the University of California at San Diego, and has directed children’s and young person’s versions of such favorites as, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Secret Garden, Peter Pan, and The Fantasticks, to name just a few.

The Summer Workshop students not only learn the different crafts of the theatre, they actually learn, rehearse and perform a full-scale musical during each session.  Performances are held on the mainstage at the Westchester Broadway Theatre on the Saturday following the last day of each session.

“We’ve been presenting Equity Productions for over thirty years,” said Bill Stutler.  “And we’ve worked, and continue to work, with some of the most talented theatre people in New York City.  And because of this, we’ll be able to bring in these top Actors and Directors as ‘Guest Lecturers’ every session, so the kids can learn from some of Broadway’s Best.”

In addition to the shows the kids learn and perform during the first two sessions, the Session 3 students will be able to take part in Fanelli’s exclusive “From The Page To The Stage” program, where the kids, themselves, utilizing the techniques they’ve learned during the summer, actually write the Script and the Lyrics to the final session’s production.  It’s a truly unique program Mr. Fanelli developed in California, and in now bringing to the Workshop right here in Elmsford.

The daily classes will be held at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, conveniently located on Rt. 119 in Elmsford, just minutes away from the Westchester Broadway Theatre.  It is a terrific and easily accessible facility, which can be reached by all major roads and parkways throughout the area.

Session tuitions are $585 for a single session, with discounts for additional sessions, and discounts for additional family members.  Tuitions include not only the 3-week sessions, classes and games, and the performances at the WBT, but also a special group trip to a mainstage performance at the Dinner Theatre, where the whole class will enjoy the professional production at no charge.

For information and reservations to the Summer Theatre Workshop, parents should call 914-592-2268, and ex. 842.  John Fanelli will get them an application, and answer any questions regarding this fun, entertaining program for the kids this summer!

WPCNR’S ADAM IN ALBANY. From Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley’s Office. March 31, 2005: Assemblyman Adam Bradley (D-White Plains) announced that the state Assembly and Senate have passed a budget plan that will provide over $848 million more in funding to public schools than last year – approximately $354 million more than the governor proposed.

The budget includes $26.6 million in operating aid for schools in the 89^th Assembly District, which is $787,000 more than the governor provided in his budget.

“It’s incumbent upon us as state legislators to do our best to adequately fund our schools.  I strongly urge the governor to accept this bipartisan compromise which secured substantially more for the education of our children.”

The Legislature restored the governor’s cuts for various expense-based aids, funds that local schools already spent and are entitled to state reimbursement for, including BOCES services, transportation costs, and educating students with disabilities.

To better ensure schools are spending tax dollars wisely, an additional $2.9 million was added to the state Comptroller’s office for additional school audits. The legislative budget also includes $4.5 million in additional aid to local libraries vetoed by the governor last year. Westchester’s library system will receive more than $2.5 million, which is a restoration of $128,000.[1]

“The governor has made it a point to cut funding to libraries year after year. The Legislature’s appropriation puts that funding back in the budget,” Bradley said. “Our communities depend on public education resources to thrive and it’s unacceptable to withhold funding to libraries.”