The Alexander Theatre came alive with the vibrant energy of our talented Prep-Year 2 students, who performed their much-anticipated musical, The Long and Winding Road to Solla Sollew, adapted from Dr Seuss’ I Had Troubles Getting to Solla Sollew earlier this week. The show was a delightful blend of timeless Beatles music, dance, and storytelling, narrated by our wonderful Ike Curtis, Jewish Experiential Educator and alumnus (Class of 2013). It beautifully showcased the creativity and enthusiasm of our young performers and choreographed by talented alumnae Charli Cantoni-Bud (Class of 2023).

From the opening scene of All is Well in the Valley of Vung and Here Comes the Sun to the heart-warming finale culminating with All You Need is Love, the children captivated the audience with their charm and dedication. Each student had a role to play, and their confidence on stage was nothing short of inspiring. The colourful and imaginative costumes designed by parent Zoe Arnott, and the awesome Seussical sets, added to the magical atmosphere.

The journey to Solla Sollew, a place with no troubles, or maybe a few, begins soon after our protagonists (the Wicks) get bitten and stung by pests, hoping that by going away all their troubles will be a thing of the past. But not long after they are to be proved wrong, their camels get sick and they are hit by a storm. They get stuck in a cave and they’re forced into war, so many troubles, like never before. And when they finally reach Solla Sollew, there’s a tiny problem which prevents them from getting through. So in a final brave act they decide to go back and be where they really want to be, and so they conclude with their own words, “Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me”, a truly powerful message for our young students.

After many weeks of very hard work the students did truly shine on stage and I have no doubt that the Beatles’ songs played a significant role in enhancing their enjoyment. I would like to thank all the wonderful people that took part in ensuring the success of this production

Thank you to David Opat for the brilliant idea of combining the two legends, Dr Seuss and the Beatles so creatively; to our choreographer Charli Cantoni-Bud for many hours of patience and dedication and for lots of great ideas; to our narrator Ike Curtis, who’s silky voice made for a captivating storytelling; to our own Fab-Four, Lior Bachar, Harrison Gladwin, Joseph Welch and Alessi Zuch and who supported our younger students with their beautiful voices; to Eli Erez for coordinating all manners of backstage operations so professionally; to our Years 7 and 8 backstage crew who worked tirelessly behind the scenes (and sometimes in front) and they are: Max Blumenkranc, (backstage crew), Eli Rogers (backstage crew), Netani Cantoni-Bud (costumes and backstage crew), Armani Feinman (costumes and backstage crew), Tal Gelfand (stage manager), Gemma Hatfield (sound operator), Ruby Weinberg (costumes and backstage crew), Lori Padowitz (costumes and backstage crew), Foxy Upton (costumes and backstage crew), Ethan Wiese (costumes and backstage crew): to all the KDS staff who ensured everything ran smoothly backstage together with Janice and David. And last but not least, a big thank you to our wonderful Prep – 2 students who put in the hours week after week, with joy and enthusiasm. You are amazing.

Nissim Ben-Salamon
Music Teacher and Head of Productions Jr School