By Kathleen Suss, Concordia Conservatory

Dec. 24, 2022: Concordia Conservatory’s 23rd annual holiday tradition marked its opening with the MOVIE,  “It Takes a Holiday Village.” The movie musical opened with a sold out red carpet premiere at The Picture House in Bronxville on December 18. Bronxville Mayor Mary Marvin was in attendance at the opening as she was portrayed as a character in the movie musical by Kathleen Moriarty.  Tuckahoe Mayor Omayra Andino also made an appearance playing a Christmas carol on piano.

The musical movie team includes composer Chris Landy, 8-time Emmy Award-winning Executive Producer/Director Alan Weiss and Writer/Director Greg Suss who has staged 20 Conservatory holiday productions and written 5 shows over the 23-year history.

The movie’s cast is from throughout Westchester and Fairfield Counties and included Zach Bostock, Rayleen Bourdierd, Anyi Chen, Cindy Chen, Maeve Donnelly, Stella Donnelly, Nathaniel Dower, Sofia Duffy, Caris Erman-Thurmond, Ariana Gleason, Simon Grogan, Reed Harris Butts, Trixie Herman, Josh Judin, Kit Knapp, Blake Lander, Harry Manion, Chloe Mayer, Kelly McWilliams, Maeve McWilliams, Kathleen Moriarty, Samiya Narain, Elaina Poulos, Jeffrey Rohr, Laura Sanchez, Alexandra Seuffert, Katarina Seuffert, Lauren Seuffert, Lilly Slaughter, Avery Smith, Darcy Smith, Jordan Smith, Grace Smyth, Julia Tobin, Kayla Tobin, and Lila Wahl.

The rest of the production team includes music director and Conservatory faculty, Jon Klibonoff, choreographer Jason Summers, costume designer Michele Rohr of Bronxville and production assistant, Lilly Slaughter.

In addition to the premiere, the movie had a showing at The Picture House in Bronxville on December 20.

Since 1999, the Conservatory’s annual tuition-free holiday musical has been a beloved community institution and an effective theatre arts outreach program, supported by generous donors who have given over $1 million, seen by 18,000 enthusiastic audience members and performed by 1,600 performers. It provides area youth and young adults to participate, without regard to family financial situation and disability. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the cast, production team and staff of Concordia Conservatory and yes, “It Takes A Holiday Village” indeed.