It is officially now a tradition. For the second year in a row, the Woodridge Elementary School PTO has put on a Variety Show as a reward for the students working hard all year long.

Parents Tracy Ciccone Ditroia, Liz Harvey and Rachel Marchetti organized the show this year, with numerous other volunteers helping during tryouts and show night. There were approximately 150 students participating in the show this year, totaling 29 acts.

There were five all-class acts, which the teachers created, organized and rehearsed with their classes.

“Students were told over the winter to start to formulate their acts. Tracy held tryouts and has overseen rehearsals two times a week for the month of May,” Marchetti said.

“Tracy directed the show and volunteered all of her time. She is a true professional! We could not have done this show without her,” Harvey said. “Also, Rachel Marchetti ‘produced’ the show and did a fabulous job. The two could take over Broadway.”

With a complete dress rehearsal performed for the whole school (except the kindergarten), the acts were able to work out any final wrinkles and shake off any nerves Tuesday morning, June 2, before the big show that night at Hope Highlands.

“The show went great,” Ditroia said. “Twenty-nine acts and we were done in one hour. It was great to see all the kids support each other and work as a team. Everyone is looking forward to next year.”

Text and photos by Pam Schiff