BAY VIEW ACADEMY WOWS WITH A VERY BAY VIEW CHRISTMAS

Holiday Fundraiser Grosses over $34,000

East Providence, RI – While it may have been 60 degrees outside this past weekend, it certainly felt a lot like Christmas at St. Mary Academy – Bay View. November 15th-17th marked the celebration of A Very Bay View Christmas, an important fundraiser centered on a cabaret-style production of song, dance and theatre.

Students performed A Very Bay View Christmas, under the direction of Christine D. Kavanagh (Barrington, RI) four times over the course of three days, each time to standing ovations. The two-hour, original program featured popular Christmas favorites in song, dance and theater, as well as a nativity scene. The cast and crew was composed of over 115 students from fourth through twelfth grade, joined by a gentlemen cast of fathers, uncles, teachers and community volunteers. Twin alumnae, Kendall Lima Purdy ’00 and Danielle Lima ’00 (Warwick, RI), returned to the Bay View stage as guest performers, singing Gesu Bambino. The presentation ended with an original song, A Very Bay View Christmas, which was written by Bay View’s musical director, Diane Gualtieri (Warwick, RI).

Photographs with Santa Claus and a petting zoo with baby rabbits, goats, a pig, sheep and ducks, were a pre-show hit with the younger audiences. There was even a special mailbox for children to drop off their Christmas wishes. In return, each child will receive a hand-written note from Santa Claus.

The Academy hosted a wreath sale in connection with A Very Bay View Christmas that is on-going. 22” fresh Balsam Fir wreaths are still on sale, each with a choice of ribbon for $20 (discounts apply to orders of three or more). Wreaths will be delivered to Bay View in December, with pick up available on the afternoon of December 5th and the morning of December 6th. Wreaths are available for advance order on Bay View’s website at https://4661.thankyou4caring.org/christmas-wreaths.

For a complete cast and crew listing of A Very Bay View Christmas, please visit www.bayviewacademy.org