"Sweet Charity" Takes Center Stage at MBS This Week

This year’s MBS Upper School musical, Sweet Charity, takes center stage in Founders Hall this week, and the cast and crew have been working hard on this high-energy show.

The MBS production, which is being directed by faculty member and Broadway veteran Jim Ruttman, will be performed from Wednesday, March 2 through Saturday, March 5 in Founders Hall.

Audiences can expect lots of dance and great music including “Hey Big Spender,” “If My Friends Could See Me Now,” and “There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This.”

The classic 1960s musical tells the story of Charity Hope Valentine, who always tries to look on the bright side of life, despite working in a rundown dance hall and contending with a seemingly endless run of bad dates. Determined to find love, Charity falls for suave actor Vittorio Vidal, but their romance is all too brief. However, when Charity finds herself stuck in an elevator with the reserved Oscar Lindquist, she may have finally met her match.

The talented cast will include:

Charity Hope Valentine: Kaitlin Brown ’24
Oscar Linquist: Sal D'Agostino ’23
Helene: Maya Bhide ’23
Nickie: Lexi Algazy ’22
Ursula: Kaitlin Blount ’23
Vittorio Vidal: Matias Cortes ’25
Mama Brubeck: Alana Smith ’23
Herman: Adin Kasmin ’24

Hostess Dancers: Cooper Weil ’22, Julia Bavoso ’23, Gwyneth Geoghan ’25, Marlee Ryan ’24, Bridget Ewing ’24, Ava Penizotto ’22, Maggie Ahern ’23, Indiya Weinmann ’25

Ensemble: Dylan Mandel ’23, Jack Bailey ’24, Hannah Everett ’23, Henry D'Andrea ’24, Juliette Joubran ’24, Meera Iyer ’25, Charlotte Sussman ’25, Patrick Birnbaum ’25, Jonathan Spencer ’25, Danica Rosenbloom ’24, Connor Downey ’22

Stage Managers: Mae Bailey ’25, Pete Buchanan ’25, Abby Ewing ’24, Haylee Schwind ’22, Jonah Tinkelman ’24, Katie Yang ’22

The original Broadway production of Sweet Charity was composed by Cy Coleman with lyrics by Dorothy Fields and book by Neil Simon. The production earned nine Tony Awards with Bob Fosse winning Best Choreography.

Sweet Charity will be staged in Founders Hall on March 2, 4, and 5 at 7:30 p.m.  There will be a 3:30 p.m. matinee on Thursday, March 3.  Tickets are available at the door.  Admission is free for MBS students, faculty, and staff.  $5 for all others.