‘I Think I Can’—

Brookfield Theater Planning For Season Finale

BROOKFIELD — The Brookfield Theater for the Arts (TBTA) announces its upcoming production of Kaithryn and Barry Miller’s I Think I Can. The production will also be the final show of the theater’s 2006 season.

In keeping with tradition of getting students involved with the arts, all aspects of this production are being taken on by local teenagers. Students hailing from Ridgefield, Brookfield, Middlebury, Danbury and beyond are serving as cast and crew.

Megan O’Lena, 18, a senior at Pomperaug High School, is directing a cast that includes Nick Kier, 20 (a Danbury High alumni); Caitlin Keeler, 17 (Ridgefield High); Kristianna George, 16 (Brookfield); Hillary Currie, 17; Billy Shields, 17 (Brookfield High School); and Ben Panzarino, 17 (Danbury High school).

The technical crew is also comprised of local students. Brian Cassella, 18 is the lighting designer, while the two student tech directors for Brook-field high school, Leah Koh and Toby Petit, serve as the lighting and sound executioners.

One of TBTA’s long term goals is to become a “teaching theater,” a theater where students of all ages can come and learn about the arts. Some students come to the theater intending on learning about one area and end up finding something else they love to do. During the theatrical process the actors, director and the technical crew work closely together to learn the ins and outs of putting on a full scale production.

Nicholas Kier, on of the actors in I Think I Can, first worked at TBTA running the lighting board for the first show of the 2006 season, As Bees in Honey Drown. That led him to audition for Bye, Bye Birdie, in which he landed the lead role of Albert, as then earned a part of one of the assassins in Sondheim musical Assassins later in the season. 

Appropriately, I Think I Can revolves around a young girl named Becky who needs to write a report for her class about what she wants to be when she grows up. When she begins to do so she realizes she doesn’t know and thinks she can’t really do anything. With some help from a handful of interesting characters, fun musical numbers and audience participation Becky learns that in indeed she can.

While this show is geared toward ages 5-10, the message of this play is universal.

I Think I Can will open Saturday, November 4, and continues on Saturdays and Sundays through November 12. Curtain for all shows is 2 pm.

General admission for all seats is $10. Reservations are requested by calling 775-0023.

The playhouse is located in Brookfield on Route 25 behind the Brookfield Library. For more information visit BrookfieldPlayhouse.org.