The Harlem School of the Arts (HSA) welcomes Spring with a special production of Sarah Crewe, a new musical with book and direction by John Carden, based on Frances Hodgson Burnett's children's novel, A Little Princess.  This production begins a short run on May 17-19, produced by Yolanda Wyns, HSA's Music Director, with music and lyrics by award-winning musician, Andrew David Sotomayor.  

The musical Sarah Crewe is set in the Sugar Hill section of Harlem, New York, circa 1929.  Sarah Crewe, a recently orphaned, 15-year old heiress has been enrolled by her family's attorney, Mr. Barrow, at Miss Minchin's School of Ballet. But things take a sudden turn, for the little rich girl, when the stock market crashes and her entire inheritance is suddenly lost.  She now faces a bleak and uncertain future as she goes from riches to rags, and is left victim to the strict headmistress, Miss Minchin, who indentures her to a life of servitude.  Without a penny to her name, Sarah, with the help of her friends Becky, Louis Harry, plot to regain her freedom.

Sarah Crewe features an ensemble cast comprised of HSA student performers.  The short run begins at the HSA Theatre, one of the few black box theatres in New York, beginning on May 17-19 (Friday, Saturday @7pm and Sunday @3pm).

This production is a part of the HSA Music Department and the new Musical Theatre program, that offers acting students a rich experience by addressing the fundamentals of musical theatre.  Simple pitch recognition, breathing techniques, vocal projection, storytelling, and teamwork are the main focus of the program, as well as the exploration of the importance of ensemble performance through show tunes, simple theatrical movement and choreography.