The Lower School grades 2-3 musical production delighted audiences with nine performances of The Aristocats in the McGregor Family Theater. This beloved Disney classic, previously staged by The Arts at St. Margaret’s in 2017, returned with three casts and more than 80 students with a Middle School technical crew helping backstage and in the technical booth.

 

Under the direction of Katie DeShan, Middle School theater teacher and director, with musical direction and choreography by Zach Hanna, K-5 music and Lower School musical director, the production was filled with heartwarming moments and fun for the audiences. The story follows the Aristocats, a group of pampered felines who are taken to the countryside outside of Paris by their scheming butler, Edgar. As they embark on their journey back home, they encounter an array of animals, including the Alley Cats led by Thomas O’Malley, a mouse named Roquefort and geese named Abigail and Amelia Gabble. They also meet four investigative hounds with a leader named Napoleon.

 

The production featured crowd-favorite musical numbers, including the jazzy Everybody Wants to Be a Cat and the charming Scales and Arpeggios. The production was meaningful in a different way for a few of the current cast members who had older siblings who participated in the 2017 production, making this a special family tradition. 

 

With adorable costumes, energetic choreography, and enthusiastic performances, The Aristocats proved to be a hit among students, families, and faculty. Ms. DeShan said, “I am so proud of the cast members for sharing their gifts on stage and supporting each other. They really created a caring and fun community.”