Local teens set to take the stage
Two youth theater groups are getting ready to premiere new shows this week, and while they’ll both be taking on material that some consider classic, the groups have adopted different philosophies in their approach to staging.
Christian Youth Theatre (CYT) will be producing the “Wizard of Oz,” at the American Spirit Theatre in Escondido (located at the Escondido Charter High School’s American Spirit Theater at 1868 E. Valley Parkway) for six performances between May 14 and May 23.
Meanwhile, the Church of Rancho Bernardo will be staging Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” for five performances starting at 7 p.m. tonight (Thursday, May 13) and running through May 21.
Chas Shay, the director of the CYT production of “The Wizard of Oz” said he instructed his young actors to stay away from the classic 1939 film because he wanted them to interpret the characters in their own ways.
“We want to encourage the students to bring their own talent to create their own characters and to bring to life the script, which is taken from the MGM movie and the Frank L. Baum books,” Shay said, adding that while a lot of the familiar elements will be there, the take will also be some differences.
While he admitted that it might be hard to find new ways to present classic characters, Shay said some tricks, such as allowing the kids to try out accents, went a long way.
Case in point, he said, was the performance of one of the actors who is portraying the Cowardly Lion. When he auditioned, Shay said, the teen did a good job of mimicking Bert Lahr’s performance in the 1939 film. But when Shay suggested he try to give the character a Scottish accent, the student was able to get away from the mimicry.
“I want them to get away from some of the elements of the movie,” he said. “It’s been done and there’s no way to re-create that.”
Other changes are also being made to make “The Wizard of Oz” more modern. For example, though she will be painted green, the actress playing the wicked witch will not rely on prostheses.
“We want to get away from the idea that evil is ugly and that beauty is good,” Shay said.
The play is double cast and Shay has been working with more than 60 students both on the stage and behind the scenes.
Among the locals taking part in the show are Powegians Jackie Foster, who plays Dorothy; Callie Gilbert, who plays the Scarecrow and Luke Harrison who plays the lion. For more information, go to www.cyt.org.
Jayne Howard, who is directing “Beauty and the Beast” at the Rancho Bernardo church (11740 Bernardo Plaza Court) with a cast of beginners and near-professional actors as part of an outreach program, said she’s not making changes to the script.
“I’m a purist when it comes to musical theater,” she said. “I don’t really want to change it. I like it the way it is written and I like the story.”
She said the production is the largest that the church has produced, noting that it features a 100-foot-long set, special effects and elaborate costumes. Howard has also hired professionals for lighting and sound.
The cast will feature actors from throughout the county, not just members of the church, said Howard, adding that she did not hold auditions, but allowed anyone interested in taking part in the show participate.
The role of Belle will be played by Poway High senior Karina Gillette; Wesley Ahrens of Twin Peak Middle School as Cogsworth; Adam Howard of Meadowbrook Middle School as Lumier; Jake Bronson of Maranatha Christian School as Chip.
Other locals are: Sydney Van Putten, Brooke Kesler, Jeanette Deason and Maddie Strieby of Poway High School; Sammy Belgum of Bernardo Heights Middle School; Jackson Strieby of Twin Peaks Middle School and Luke Bronson of Maranatha Christian School.
For more information about the show, go to www.thechurchatrb.org.
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Posted by unestidstwern
on May 12 2010. Filed under Archive.
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