Up the Down Staircase

[Miss Mayberry]

Has anyone been in it?

I recently was cast in this show at our not-so-local theatre (an hour's drive) for the role of Jill Norris.

 

[HappyMomof4]

I haven't thought of that play in a long time! It was good, though. I think I saw a TV version of it when I was younger. I don't remember much, but I remember it was touching. Wasn't it about a teacher in a poor neighborhood who was a great teacher and very optimistic even though she struggled? And she was finally going to give up but then her students told her how much she meant to them?

 

[jazzbird]

Wow, I totally forgot that show even existed. In high school I played the librarian - I think her name was Charlette, but I honestly don't remember for sure.

 

[Kilted Stranger]

hmmm.. wasnt there a movie made about it as well???

i remember watching something like it.. but cant remember most of it.. could you give a plot description??

 

[Miss Mayberry]

Yeah. Basically it's, like happymom said, it's about a first-time teacher teaching homeroom in an inner-city NY high school. The students are really rambunctious and for awhile she feels like she's just spinning her wheels. As the play goes on, she learns how to handle them (fellow teachers included) and what works for them and what doesn't. And somewhere along the way, a student falls out of a window, and is in the hospital for all of Act Two.

 

[Kilted Stranger]

o?? ive been thinking about it.. does she play the piano as well???

 

[Miss Mayberry]

Um...not as far as I know. Her name is Sylvia Barrett, if that rings a bell.

 

[Kilted Stranger]

nope... o well...

 

[HappyMomof4]

Oh yeah. I remember the name Sylvia. Is Jill Norris one of the students or another teacher? Congrats on getting the part!

 

[Kilted Stranger]

yea.. sorry, congrats!

did it go well??

 

[Miss Mayberry]

Jill is a student. Hehe, I'm a little young to play one of the teachers.

It's going very well! There's a costume fitting on Wednesday...

 

[Kilted Stranger]

ahhh! so its not been yet... oopsie!

how long until curtain up??

 

[Miss Mayberry]

Opening night is, I believe, November 13th.

 

[Kilted Stranger]

ooo... my show is on November the 17th and 18th i think....