Teacher and playwright, Carl Ferrara For 15 years now, Amityville Middle School music teacher Carl Ferrara has been writing a script and composing music for a Christmas play called the The Legend of St. Nicholas. After years of tweaking, it will be produced through the Cultural Arts Playhouse in Plainview and Westchester this month.

Students of Amityville Middle School know Mr. Ferrara as a music teacher and the director of the drama club, but when he is not tinkling piano keys in the music wing or directing the school play Myth Adventures, he is preparing for the upcoming production.

“It feels wonderful to get it produced,” commented Ferrara.

The show – adapted from The Autobiography of Santa Claus by Jeff Guinn – unveils the numerous traditions about the gift-giving saint, turned “jolly old elf.”

“The play traces the history of Santa from the beginning of when he was a Bishop in Lycia, Turkey to a point when he is touched by ‘magic,’ stops aging and continues to give gifts,” explained Ferrara. “Throughout the story, he meets famous figures (such as Mrs. Claus, St. Francis of Assisi, Leonardo da Vinci and Amelia Earhart) who join him in his mission of giving.”

“This is a story about how generosity can change the world,” said Ferrara. “Santa doesn’t start off as a toymaker but as a generous man, and it’s this spirit that catches on with everyone he meets and they want to join him on his mission.”

Cultural Arts Playhouse Producer Ed Huether loves the concept of the play. “I have always wondered about how other cultures and times have looked upon (St. Nicholas/Santa) and embraced him. It seemed like great material for a musical. And it gives Long Island audiences a chance to see an enjoyable holiday story that hasn’t been produced year-after-year like so many of the season’s offerings.”

Carl Ferrara’s own music mission started as a student in West Babylon, acting in plays like Inherit the Wind, Grease, You Can’t Take it With You, and The Mouse that Roared.

“I was very shy in high school,” said Ferrara, who graduated from West Babylon High School in 1988. But he found his place when he picked up his trumpet, donned the blue and gold school colors, and joined the marching band. Ferrara -- who also plays the piano and guitar– was inspired by teachers Joseph Barone, who now chairs the music department, and retired band teacher, Lou Gallo.

At The Crane School of Music in Potsdam, he earned his degree in music education and discovered that he loved writing music as well. He has composed songs for the children’s production “Right Before Your Eyes,” which shares the story of Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks and King Midas.

On performance nights, Ferrara will play piano in the pit as well as perform the role of Franz Gruber, the author of Silent Night. He will also share the stage with his daughter, Rachel, 7, who is part of the ensemble.

“She is thrilled to be in it,” said Ferrara. “She loves to be the center of attention.” His wife Paula and daughter Leah, 3, will be cheering for him at performances at the Cultural Arts Playhouse in Plainview on December 9, 10, 12 and 13 and in Westchester on December 18 -20.