Sewickley Academy student-led production was 'Amore' than folks could ask for

Few things can bring people together like pizza.

The various toppings and styles, from Chicago pepperoni deep dish, to New York sausage, and California green peppers — there’s something for just about everyone.

Sewickley Academy kindergartners explored what makes a great pizza pie during the past few weeks and developed a production of “Pizza!: A Slice of History.”

Students dressed up as toppings, a chef, a pizza rat and flatbread. They played characters from the book of the same name by author and illustrator Greg Pizzoli.

Photos and short videos of students working with pizza makers were shown on a big screen accompanied by the Dean Martin classics “Mambo Italiano” and “That’s Amore.”

They also danced and sang some original songs to a packed house of about 100-or-so family members and friends on May 11.

The auditorium was decorated with printed pizza slices and enlarged images of student-selected pizzas.

Teacher Lindsey Petruska said the idea came from class discussions after spring break. The children talked about the places they went. The common factor was they all ate pizza.

Teachers helped them follow the book’s story line.

“It’s nice to find something that they all gravitate toward and something that connects them all that’s as simple as pizza,” Petruska said. “You’ll see them have such passion and drive for this production because it’s something that’s important to them.

“They chose their lines (and) they chose how much they wanted to speak. They made their own costumes. They picked what they wanted to be. It’s a very child-led and child-centered production.”

Students also learned how to make pizza with the academy cafeteria staff. They also visited Blaze Pizza in Robinson Township as part of their journey.

Amia Duckett, 6, played Chef Raffaele Esposito and rode a toy horse to show the first pizza delivery.

“It’s yummy, and there’s a lot to learn about pizza,” Amia said. Her favorite toppings are cheese and pepperoni.

Amia’s father, Rade Vukmire, said she had been practicing diligently for weeks.

“I think it was wonderful,” Vukmire said. “They created a program around pizza. All the kids participated, and it was a wonderful event. Amia said she likes to sing. It gives her confidence.”

Amia’s mother, CJ Duckett, said the family often makes homemade pizzas (and the key to a successful pie is lots of mozzarella!)

Student Eliza Elliott, 6, played a waitress. She said her favorite thing about the show was “the words.” And the best thing about the past few weeks was making and learning about dessert pizzas.

“They have been so invested in this program,” said Head of Lower School Jerilyn Scott. “What I liked best is they were so authentically themselves on stage. The joy just shown through. … They’ve taste-tested different kinds of pizza. They’ve looked at the history and the culture of pizza.

“They have been fully immersed for some time now. It’s not a bad thing to study,” Scott said.

“The fun thing about our program is that so much of the curriculum arises from the kids’ interest,” said Scott. “It’s not that we decide we’re going to do a pizza unit. It’s what the kids are into. The teachers take that ball and run with it. It far exceeded our expectations.”

The performers shared some slices with their family and academy staffers after the show.

Petruska said parents Betty Wu and Carlin Griffin were major volunteers and helped the young pizzaiolos.

“We could not have done this without them,” Petruska said.