FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.co MARCH 10, 2016 • TIMES 19 BUZZ QUEENS Against the odds, the P.S. 71 cheer team won first place in international tournament BY ANTHONY GIUDICE agiudice@ridgewoodtimes.com @A_GiudiceReport The P.S. 71 Owls cheer team flew down to the “Sunshine State” last month and came back home with a first place trophy in the AmeriCheer and AmeriDance Internationals tournament. The team, made up of 22 fourth- and fifth-graders — 19 attended the competition — left for Florida on Feb. 26 and stayed at a Disney resort during the tournament. At the competition, the girls had 5 minutes to warm up before their 2 minute, 30 second routine. “It was pretty intense for the kids,” said Allison Napoli, assistant principal at P.S. 71 and cheer team coach. “They had to stay focused. I gave the team a pep talk before they went out because some of them were really nervous.” When it was all said and done, the Owls ended with a score of 75.50 percent, taking first place in the Youth Rec Mount Traditional division. The victory was extremely impressive because P.S. 71 does not have a gym, principal Indiana Soto said. “Our school doesn’t have a gym,” Soto said. “They have to practice in the cafeteria or auditorium. Part of their conditioning is to take out and put away the mats. They are forced to improvise, which is a big plus in competition. Without having adequate space to practice, they are still held to the same standards as teams internationally.” Competitions such as these are now opening doors for cheer teams since cheerleading was made an official sport. “As of January 2015 cheerleading was made an official sport,” Soto said. “Cheerleaders can now get high school and college scholarships, just like any other sport.” With this victory, the Owls have qualified for the U.S. finals, which take place on May 7, in Virginia Beach. The school is now looking for donations from the community to help send the team to compete there. They need around $6,000 to get down to Virginia Beach. “We’re going to win in Virginia Beach, too,” Soto said. To donate to help the Owls get down to Virginia Beach, visit bit.ly/PS71Cheer. Lend Me a Tenor’ at Maggie’s Little Theater Without the slightest apologies to William Shakespeare, the outstanding cast at Maggie’s Little Theater offers their hilarious version of playwright Ken Ludwig’s “Lend Me a Tenor.” Unfolding in 1930s Cleveland, this doorslamming bedroom farce focuses on the absolutely implausible hotel room high jinks before, during and after an operatic version of “Othello.” At Friday night’s performance, Director Erik Neilssen delivers a genuinely funny evening with likable and experienced actors. Monica Barczak provides a wealth of mischievous facial expressions and physical exaggerations as the spoiled, love-struck boss’s daughter. Donald Gormanly is wonderfully disarming as the humble and harried assistant. His eyes dart in every direction as he acts and reacts to countless absurd and hysterical situations. Ultimately, his good heart and great tenor voice save the day. Joe Paciullo is convincing as Saunders, the blustering opera house manager. Dolores Voyer as the opera’s chairwoman Julia is a clever caricature of clueless high society. Multitalented Alan D. Perkins hits the right notes as the pushy bellhop. Stunning Lisa N. Bondi as Diana earns our undivided attention as she swaggers and sways across the stage. Bernard Bosio as Tito aka Il Stupendo, the most magnificent tenor of our time, gives another exceptional performance. His pratfalls, double takes, comical accent and compulsive womanizing are hilarious. Bravo! His long-suffering wife is played by Shana Aborn. Her shrieks, threats and gestures are genuinely terrifying. And very, very funny! The sets, lighting and everyone behind the scenes maintain the expected highest quality. For information on this and future shows, call 917-579-5389 or surf to www.maggieslittletheater. org. As always, save me a seat on the aisle. A VIEW FROM THE CLIFF BY CLIFF KASDEN Photo courtesy P.S. 71 The P.S. 71 Owls cheer team won first place in the AmeriCheer & AmeriDance International competition.
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