Scenes from today’s dress rehearsal by Coleytown Middle School’s Coleytown Company of its production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella,” which runs Thursday through Saturday. Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

The Coleytown Company’s “Cinderella,” running Thursday through Saturday under Artistic Director Benjamin Frimmer, is bringing a modern day vision to the production.

In this version Cinderella, or Ella as she is known, is reimagined as a strong, independent young woman who wants to make the world a better place.

Returning are choreographer and Broadway veteran Michelle Berti and set designer Peter Barbiere.  Joanna Pan is overseeing costume design. Brett Boles is musical director.

In all, 85 eager and talented students have been rehearsing and working hard to make this one of the school’s best productions ever.

Bedford Middle School sixth graders prepare for “The Witches.” Contributed photos

Bedford Middle School sixth grade students present “The Witches,” the Roald Dahl classic tale on Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m.

“The Witches” is a tale of a boy and his grandmother who use their wits to defeat the Grand High Witch’s plan to squelch all the children of England by turning them into mice. 

“This Roald Dahl story is both stupendously scary and gleefully giddy and will appeal to young kids, adolescents and adults alike,” an announcement said.

Tickets are available online at: http://www.bedfordactinggroup.com — $10 for children and $12 for adults. Children 2 and under are free. Seats are also available at the door. 

The Westport schools today announced student winners of the 2016-2017 PTA Reflections Art Program, a nationwide arts contest sponsored by the PTA that provides students with the opportunity for artistic creative expression and positive recognition for their efforts.

This year’s winners from Staples High School included: Literature “We Will Break Through” by Natasha Johnson; Film: “Moments” by Antonia Sousa; Photography: “Growing - An Upward Spiral” by Sarah Barnett; Dance: “Close to the Sun” by Colin McKechnie, and Visual Arts: “Sophie Elizabeth” by Sophie Driscoll.

Coleytown and Bedford Middle School winners include :Visual Arts: “My Piece” by CMS student Sophie Alcyone, and Dance: “Ballerino” by BMS student Jamie Mann. These students and their work will now move on to the national level for judging.

Additional Westport Public School students receiving recognition include: 

Westport music students are going to Hartford to participate in the 71st Annual Connecticut Music Educators Association (CMEA) All-State Conference on March 31, the school system announced today.

They include three ensembles comprised of 45 students from the Long Lots Elementary School Pan Island Express Steel Drum Band, the Westport Middle School Percussion Ensemble, and the Bedford Middle School Jazz Ensemble.

Each school year, CMEA hosts regional concerts that highlight students’ advanced achievement in music performance.

In March, CMEA hosts a statewide in-service conference for music educators and concludes with the All-State ensemble performances by high school students.

Westport’s Staples High School and Bedford Middle School Chamber Music students performed at Symphony Hall in Boston on Friday. They also had a master class with the Boston Symphony Orchestra members. It was the same day that Superintendent Colleen Palmer&#8#8217;s latest budget message mentioned the possible elimination of individual music lessons in grades 4 to 8. The subject will be discussed at Monday’s Board of Education meeting. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo