Broadway Comes To The Middle School

By Tanjua Damon

Young talent at Newtown Middle School will be performing songs from several Broadway shows – Annie, The Secret Garden, Gypsy, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, The Music Man, and many more later this month.

Over 50 middle school students have been practicing after school for their upcoming performance entitled Wake Up Secret Theater, We’ve Got a Show Tonight, which is a combination of songs that children sing on Broadway.

Seventh grade teachers Susan Lang (English) and Jonathan Bauer (science) have been assisting the students in preparing for the performance.

“Mr Bauer has done reviews with kids in the past and we thought it would be a good opportunity to showcase as many of our students as possible,” Ms Lang said. “It also offered flexibility in terms of scheduling rehearsals… and we thought it would be fun!”

The students will host three performances – March 31 at 3 and 7 pm, and April 1 at 2 pm in the middle school auditorium. Tickets are $5 each.

The cast was decided in November and the group has been rehearsing since December.

“They have gained a tremendous amount of discipline because they had to,” Ms Lang said. “There is no way two of us could do this without their self-discipline.”

The audience will see a lot of song, dance, and acting as well as 56 kids live on stage, according to Ms Lang.

“They perform songs and scenes that are ‘kids’ numbers’ in the shows they come from. The audience will not see kids doing adult numbers,” Ms Lang said. “The energy is fantastic, as is the talent. Most of all, the heart and soul these kids put into their show is so very evident every time they step on the stage, alone or in groups.”

Jeff Levasseur will play a character who is trying to find his talent. He performed in last year’s play at the middle school.

“It’s fun. Last year it all paid off in the end when the production came together,” Jeff said. “Last year I played two different characters and it was hard. I was really nervous, but I’m not as nervous this year.”

 “I really like musical theater, and I was in the play last year and got hooked,” Stephen Petrovich said. “It’s kind of difficult to work all together sometimes. It’s really hard to memorize everything. I just love being here and having the experience because it is what I really want to do. I really enjoy it.”

Others have the ambition to want to be actors for a career.

“I want to be an actress when I get older. It’s my dream,” Jenny Cupero said. “I’ve been in summer camp productions. I’ve been dancing for 10 years. I love to perform. Harmonies are really challenging.”

The play performance is providing many middle school students an opportunity to be involved with an activity that interests them.

“It’s my favorite thing to do. It’s lots of fun and I love singing and acting,” Danielle Iodice said. “We only get three performances. I wish we could have more.”

Tory Marlin is experiencing her first middle school performance and is excited.

“I’ve always loved singing and acting. It’s the best thing in the world,” Tory said. “We learn how to work with a group and put a lot of time into it.”

With the excitement comes a little fear of being on stage and performing in front of an audience, but the middle school students seem ready for the challenge.

“This is my first year. I thought it would be fun,” Jessica Remitz said. “Overcoming the fear of getting up on stage for everybody. You have one chance to do a good job.”

Ms Lang and Mr Bauer feel this opportunity is important so students have a variety of experiences while in school to give them confidence and knowledge.

“It is very important. The confidence it gives them to be able to step out on a stage and perform will stay with them all their lives,” Ms Lang said. “But performance aspects aside, involvement in drama allows the students to be creative and to explore what’s inside them. It has given every single member of our cast and crew a greater degree of independence and self-discipline. It has shown them the value of teamwork. New friendships have been forged, and old ones deepened.”

Community support is another added aspect to the performance; the students are looking forward to showing their accomplishments to a full house.

“The arts are a very important part of our lives – all of us. We support our athletes, we support our scholars… our artists should get at least as much community support,” Ms Lang said. “Besides, what’s more entertaining than a bunch of kids singing and dancing!”

Stephanie Nordstrom, Emily Koh, and Lauren Reed have been working behind the scenes configuring lighting, props, and costumes for the crew by taking notes at the practices. All three girls wanted to get involved in some way with the play and felt their skills would best be used behind the curtain.

The auditorium only holds about 400 people, according to Ms Lang. Tickets will be sold an hour before each show time – March 31 at 3 and 7 pm, and April 1 at 2 pm.