The John Jay High School Theater Workshop brings 42nd Street to Lewisboro

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42nd Street first premiered in 1932 and tells the iconic story of a small town girl who makes it big under the bright lights. “This is as old school Broadway as you can get,” said Anne-Marie Gerard Galler. So a time warp is probably the only way we could see the production now. But thanks to the John Jay High School Theater Workshop the space time continuum does not need to be manipulated and neither does the MetroNorth ticket machine.

“It’s a little Broadway in Lewisboro, and you don’t even have to get on a train, said Gerard Galler, who is directing the musical, which opens on Thursday and runs through Saturday

Engaged along with the crew and cast for rehearsal, the first time directing after serving as choreographer for 25 previous shows, she acknowledged the weight of the next level with a big sigh. The words eventually coming, her rookie campaign is no gimme. “This is a monster of a show,” said Gerard Galler.

16 musical numbers, 130 costumes, numerous sets and blocking all the scenes, Gerard Galler doesn’t need to catch her breath to relay the rewards. “It’s been wonderful,” said the former Broadway dancer.

In the lead, Sami Sperling plays Peggy Sawyer, and she has the perfect girl with the curl look for small town sweetness. Of course, there’s more to the part than a pretty face and being in step is one huge factor. Along with relearning tap dancing, the moves she’s mastered have emerged from muscle memory. “You keep running them over and over,” said the junior. “They’re just in your body.”

Sperling is no stranger to singing either. She plays in the John Jay School House Band, but stage fright still comes into play. That’s why she welcomes the cheers. “It really boosts my confidence,” the actor assured.

In the pit, Antonio Joseph obviously gets relegated to the darkness with the rest of the musicians. Playing the sax since 5th grade, he didn’t seem to mind. “Big hits, extolled the senior, “it really keeps the heart pumping.”

That said, Joseph credits the conductor for making all the living beats coherent. “Ten different times in the songs,” said the musician, “Mr. Henderson really brings us all together.”

In turn, Joseph and all his subterranean cohorts aren’t among the only unseen. Cara McPartland had her head set on and was already in action as Assistant Stage Manager. “We have a flow sheet that tells us what scene we’re on, and what set pieces need to be on stage,” said the junior.

In the stage direction. business since freshman year, she knows the sacrifice and the payoff. “Seeing the whole show come together after putting in so many months of work, it’s something,” said McPartland.

Cecil Tedder, on the other hand, mostly made light of his role. “It’s just a matter of waiting,” the senior said of the cues that precipitate his Stage Lighting duties.

From there, at the light board, Tedder says he’s mostly just pressing the spacebar. Very modest and matter of fact, it was left to the show’s villain to give props to him and the rest of the crew. “All the people who are backstage, it’s so stressful. But they got it down and are killing it, said Avery Gatrell.

The senior also had high praise for the stage manager. “Calvin (Wein) has been here every single hour that he has spare,” said Gatrell.

Part of Gatrell’s burden eased, the future engineer still has a recurring weight to carry. “I’ve got a couple of lines I keep messing up,” joked Gatrell.

Julian Marsh the character in question, Gatrell’s portrayal of the layered antagonist is on point. Needing a hit to save his career, the producer still cares about the cast and crew, but the pressure does yield difficulty for everyone, As a result, this actor also goes on different levels. “I think of my face being very stern, but I leave my eyes light and a little more open,” said Gatrell.

Suited up for rehearsal in costume, Gatrell and cast have Bela Brazill to thank for all the costuming. “I think this might be the most costuming we’ve ever done,” said the junior in her third year doing the job.

John Jay has a local supplier who provides the wear, and she has been online and on sight to manage the dress code. The work doesn’t end there, though. “Somewhere along the line I bought myself a sewing machine, and I’ve learned to sew,” Brazill revealed.

So alterations are her too, and the stage manager knows the feeling. Nonetheless, his team has remained above the fray. “All the sets and everything is flowing smoothly,” said Wein, “it’s a big feeling of accomplishment.”

And that’s really the point according to Gatrell. “What this play is about is the love for theater, and that drive to be the best person you can be,” concluded the star.