Samurai Cats On Stage At Middle Gate School

By Laurie Borst

Dina Mastroni’s fourth graders at Middle Gate School had quite the learning experience this spring. As part of Language Arts class, the students read the book, The Three Samurai Cats: A Story From Japan by Eric Kimmel. With Ms Mastroni’s help, the students turned the book into a play, Three Samurai Cats.

The original story concerns a daimyo, a powerful lord, whose castle is invaded by a large, bullying rat. The daimyo asks the Samurais for help, but the rat gets the better of the warriors. Finally, Neko Roshi, an aged, tired Samurai arrives at the castle. At first, everyone is baffled by Neko Roshi’s approach to dealing with the rat.

Neko Roshi ignores the rat, letting the rat’s greed work against him. Neko Roshi triumphs by drawing strength from stillness with the ultimate lesson, never underestimate a Samurai Cat.

Once written, of course, the students wanted to present the play. As the typical school day doesn’t have a spare moment in it, the students agreed to work after school rehearsing, building sets, making costumes, and gathering props.

“The students were great,” said Ms Mastroni. “Everything you see, the gates, the castle, all the costumes, they created.”

The students did a wonderful job with the screenplay. Comic relief was scattered throughout. Kylie Gallagher’s over-the-top performance as a Sidekick stole the show. Watch for this young lady in coming years.

Michael Ziluck and Hanna Ahmaripour as the Dochos were appropriately reserved and thoughtful. Julie Smith, Timmy Drotar, Amy McGurk, Matt Mitchel, Genti Limani, and Ricky LaPak as a group of less-than-enthusiastic Samurai Cats entertained with their displays of “Samurai skills.”

The students dedicated the play “to all of the special people in our lives who have helped us to get where we are today.” They had a list of thanks, including teaching assistant Joann Cullinan, Mrs Culli for her amazing artistic creations, and Rand Whitney, who donated cardboard for the scenery.

Ms Mastroni was thanked for organizing the play and creating all the extra parts so every classmate participated.