09/04/2026
Let me tell you 'Something Good!' Tomorrow is Opening Night for Maria Montessori the Musical! I was privileged enough to be the producer, assistant director, and assistant music director for this incredible show. My school students have really dug deep into this biographical musical of Dr. Maria Montessori who founded a pedagogical technique that has changed the face of education as we know it. I have spent many years in many educational roles at my Montessori private school turned charter school. Light of the World Academy sought to provide this groundbreaking education system to all children in the area for free, and this year we celebrate 10 years of being a charter school. What a wonderful show to celebrate this milestone and how fitting is it to provide a grateful bow to the woman who started it all!
Maria Montessori was the first woman to study medicine in Italy in the late 1800's. This was such a scandal at the time and was seen as unfit for women that she wasn't allowed to study at first. It was until Pope Leo XIII interceded on her behalf, declaring publicly that medicine was actually a better suited profession for women, that she was admitted to the University of Rome to study. She faced many prejudices of society to continue her education, and one of her obstacles was that her male peers refused to study with her. Nevertheless, Maria persevered and became a physician with her own practice, international speaker, published author, university professor, and finally the founder of the Casa De Bambini, providing education for mentally disabled children. Her children learned so well from her Didactic Apparatus, that mentally disabled children scored better than those of the typical children in the Italian school system in the early 1900's. Groundbreaking indeed.
If you have read this far, perhaps you would love to come and see the show to learn more about this dynamic, resilient, and brilliant woman. The talent in this musical is unlike any cast I have ever worked with before. I am beyond proud of them and find myself deeply moved every time I hear them sing one of these incredible songs. This musical was written by an incredible composer and lyricist, Mark Woodward, and this show is truly one of kind. Numbers like, "Power In My Hands," and "Children of the World," have really made a mark on the kids and the crew.
This wouldn't have been possible without many people's love, care, and dedication to crossing the finish line for these kids. If you have helped with this show in any way, please know how grateful I am to have gotten to work on this project with you. Theater not only provides immense confidence building in children, but it also brings people together, which is exactly what we need in these times. Community. So here's to new friends, a stronger community, and to Maria Montessori!
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/maria-montessori-the-musical
Performances are at Shalom Luthern Church
Friday, April 10th at 5:30pm
Saturday, April 11th at 2:00pm
Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for children aged 12 and under.
The Children of Light of the World hope to see you there!
Maria Montessori: The Musical tells the inspiring story of Maria Montessori, the groundbreaking Italian physician and educator whose ideas transformed the way children learn. Set in early 20th-century Italy, the musical follows her journey as she challenges social barriers, fights for recognition in...
