There’s a first for everything. This year, Rayna Fox, the new music teacher at Patrick M. Villano School, is directing her first musical as a staff member.
“Yes, this is my first time directing a play [musical]!” Fox said. “I directed one as a student when I was a senior at Paramus High School, however, this is my first one as a teacher!”
Fox said she is very excited for this new experiemce and very excited to collaborate with the two other musical directors, Joesph Gibbs and Amanda Binetti.
“Ms. Benetti and Mr. Gibbs are both such great teachers, and I am very happy to be working with them this year,” Fox said.
Gibbs is the school’s band director, and Binetti is the school’s social worker. The trio chose Into the Woods, Jr. as this year’s school musical.
“I chose Into the Woods Jr. for this year’s musical because I have absolutely loved this show ever since I student-directed it in high school,” Binetti said.
The play by Stephen Sondheim’s and James Lapine won a Tony award on Broadway. That’s an award giving to an excellent musical. Into the Woods Jr. involves Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and other characterrs from the Brothers Grimm fables.
” I don’t think I can pick a favorite role in this show because there are just so many incredible characters, but some of my favorites are Little Red Riding Hood, Jack, and Cinderella,” Binetti added.
The school music will take center stage in spring 2026.
