EAST PROVIDENCE — Bay View Academy’s Performing Arts team and the Bay View Players, approximately 90 student performers and technical crew members, recently took on the cabaret-style production, "Let’s Go to the Movies," for the 33rd annual celebration of Manhattan at the Bay.
Manhattan at the Bay is a fundraising weekend of events centered on an original musical revue, which benefits the Academy. For 33 years, the shows have been directed by Christine D. Kavanagh and arranged and accompanied by Diane Gualtieri. "Let’s Go to the Movies" featured full-scenes and costuming nods to generations of films, from the silent movie era to present day, including Grease, Annie, Schindler’s List, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, West Side Story, Chicago, Star Wars, Singin’ in the Rain, Harry Potter and much more.
The concept allowed performers to take on a wide range of roles, including several students from the city. Olivia Dufresne, a third grader from East Providence, played Shirley Temple, Yoda and the girl in the red coat from Schindler’s List. Faith Allen, a junior from East Providence, split her time as Charlie Chaplin, Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and Velma Kelly from Chicago. Elizabeth Furtado, a senior from East Providence, sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. She also appeared as Roxie Hart, opposite Faith Allen in Chicago, and played Princess Leia. East Providence senior Ophelia Fernandez danced and sang throughout the production, from roles as a dancer in Singin’ in the Rain to a solo (“Somewhere”) as Maria from West Side Story.
In addition, the following student singers, dancers, choreographers and technical crew members from East Providence featured were: Faith Allen, AeJee Booth, Abigail Dawson, Emma Dombrowski, Olivia Dufresne, Ophelia Fernandes, Elizabeth Furtado, Jamelle LaFrance, Taylor Moravec, Zoe Sarganis, Summer Small, Ava Troino, Kaylee Duquette, Madyson Horton, Elizabeth Kolakowski, Soraya Pierre-Louis, Angela Sun and Elizabeth White.

— Photo courtesy Chestnut Hill Studios