“Have you ever been bullied?” “What does it feel like to play a bully?” “What does it feel like to be bullied by two people?” These were just a few of the questions posed by students in grades 5 and 6 after watching the Ivoryton Playhouse production of The Bully, an Off Broadway musical written especially for elementary school-aged children.

The students came from Essex, Deep River, Chester, Clinton, and other Middlesex County schools as part of an educational program at the Ivoryton Playhouse in April and May. More than 1,200 students took part in the program, which included a pre-show curriculum and a talkback with the director, composer and actors.

The Bully tells the story of Lenny, the smartest kid at Wilson Middle School, and Steve, the school bully. Lenny makes fun of Steve in math class and Steve bullies Lenny in gym class. One day a bus mix-up leaves the two boys stranded at the wrong school where they both get picked on for being the “new kids” by the seemingly sweet Meg and her posse. Unable to escape secretly, Lenny and Steve stand up to Meg. Ultimately, she helps the boys get back to Wilson Middle School.

The Ivoryton Playhouse production was funded by the Council of Business Partners Fund at the Community Foundation of Middlesex County (CFMC), Essex Community Fund, and the Bauman Family Foundation. The Council of Business Partners Fund at CFMC has been providing support for school-based anti-bullying programs since 2009.

The Bully was written by David L. Williams. Music and lyrics were written by John Gregor. The Ivoryton Playhouse production was directed by Dan Nischan with music directed by Steven Azzaro. The cast included Erik Bloomquist, Morgan Morse, Elizabeth Swan, Amy Forbes, Amy Buckley, and Michael Hotkowski.