Manhattanville College Play Hopes to Bring Kids to Broadway

Beginning on October 9, Manhattanville College’s Duchesne Center will premiere “A New Way Home,” a modern day twist on the literary and theatrical classic, “The Wizard of Oz.”

The story follows Darren, a teenage foster child, who journeys to the enigmatic “Old Town” in the hopes of finding his biological mother. The 45-minute production accompanies him on his adventure, with each minute filled with whacky characters, insane riddles, laughter, and fun.

The play was written and directed by Craig Donnelly, community service coordinator in the Duchesne Center for Religion and Social Justice at Manhattanville College, and is the latest installment of his collection of theatrical spin offs. Everything from “Bewitched” to “Three’s Company” has been revamped with the Donnelly touch of unconventional new characters, actor spontaneity, and even interactive dance parties with the audience.

“I think that the students, and the community at large, love to watch a common tale that can be told in a modern light with a unique twist added into the mix,” said Donnelly.

The magic of the play has nothing to do with the writing or the acting, but rather the cause that brings the productions together each semester. All of the profits from “A New Way Home,” will go towards bringing children in the CAST Kids Program to a Broadway performance.

Each week Manhattanville College students volunteer for CAST Kids, a program in which students teach improvisational theatre games to children from a local shelter while helping them create a small play to perform.

“I think this a worthy cause because it gives children that have spent their childhoods in a shelter a chance to experience Broadway for the very first time,” expressed Donnelly. “Theater was always very important to me because it gave you the chance to see amazing stories being told through talented actors.”

The production runs Thursday, Oct. 9 through Sunday, Oct. 12 with shows at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and a Matinée at 2 p.m. on Sunday. All shows will be in the Ex Theatre in Founders Hall on the Manhattanville College campus, 2900 Purchase Street, Purchase, NY, and admission is $5.