Musical meets metamorphosis

A work of theater begun during the 1960s is finally finding its way to the stage as Musical Theatre of Anthem presents the world premiere of “Something Beautiful” through Sunday, Dec. 2.

Honeybees in “Something Beautiful” being performed this weekend by Musical Theatre of Anthem. Photo courtesy of MTA.

“Something Beautiful” features book by the late Janice Maruca, and music and lyrics by Joe Bousard, known to many in the Valley as a member of Theatre Artists Studio in Scottsdale.

Bousard, who directs the MTA production (and serves as music director), recalls in his director’s notes for the program that he met Maruca during the ’60s while teaching a musical theatre writing class in NYC. Maruca shared her idea for a musical about a spider who longs to be a honeybee, and the two collaborated on its development.

Cast of “Something Beautiful” at Musical Theatre of Anthem. Photo courtesy of MTA.

They registered the copyright in 1968, writes Bousard, and renewed it in 1996. Though it wasn’t picked up by a producer or theater group, Bousard says “we never stopped believing in the project and in what it is saying about freedom, choice, faith and creativity.”

MTA shares that the central character Stella is “tired of spinning and living the life of an ordinary spider.” Instead, Stella wants to “live the magic of the hive with all the honeybees.” Sounds like a winsome variation on “the grass is always greener on the other side” — an illusion we all need burst now and then. I’d rather be reminded through song and dance than a stern lecture or wagging finger.

“Something Beautiful” is very much a family affair, since Boudard’s wife Lorraine is costume designer/coordinator for the show and shares hair/make-up coordination with daughter Shana Rebilas-Bousard. Rebilas-Bousard, a music therapist, is also assistant director and choreographer for “Something Beautiful” at MTA.

Scene from MTA’s production of “Something Beautiful.” Photo courtesy of MTA.

“Something Beautiful” features 19 musical numbers including “Eye of a Jewel,” “When You’re Queen of the Hive,” “Metamorphosis Me!,” “Laughing At Me!,” and “My Love Is As Big As My Temper!” Characters include ants, ladybugs and spiders — plus a praying mantis, queen bee, caterpillar, dragonfly and more.

Ali Giordano, an 8th grader at Anthem Preparatory Academy who has previously appeared in six MTA productions, performs the role of Stella. Giordano’s program bio notes that she “loves theatre more than anything” and dreams of performing on Broadway.

Portion of MTA’s “Something Beautiful” cast. Photo by Barbara Spitzer Photography.

The cast, a lovely mix of MTA newcomers and veteran performers, also includes Erin Burgard, Grace Davis, Cara Eley, Trinity Gracia, Ashley Hacker, Johnny Henson, Alyssa Herron, Jacob Newberry, Maggie Rafidi, Alexis Rosenbaum, Tatum Emily Sosnowski, Emma Suttell, Tor Christian Tjorhom, Georgia Tomaso, Julie Toussaint, Ava Tyson, Kelly Williams, Elle Wolever, Kalia Woods and Ashley Zehrung.

Jackie Stewart Hammond, MTA producing artistic director, has been director or performer for more than 100 productions with various theater companies in and beyond Arizona, and praises both husband Jeff (MTA managing director) and twins Lennon and Noelle in her program bio.

Learn more about Musical Theatre of Anthem auditions, productions, birthday celebrations and more at www.musicaltheatreofanthem.org.

— Lynn

Coming up: Library as art, Valley dancers learn from national experts

Once upon an open jar

I’ve known Maxximillian (“Maxx”) Carlisle-King since he performed with my daughter Lizabeth in a Greasepaint Youtheatre production of “The King and I” at the tender age of three. He makes quite the first impression now, just as he did then. Recently we chatted about his latest acting adventure — a week spent at the Open Jar Institute in NYC.

Within five minutes if landing at JFK airport, he’d made fast friends with a pair of Open Jar peers — then headed by shuttle to the Novotel New York Times Square Hotel with other theater kids doing the Open Jar thing that week. Looking out of big glass windows overlooking Times Square, he recalls, “I was in love.” Seems he simply “couldn’t stop smiling.”

Carlisle-King attended that night’s “meet and greet” for Open Jar participants, and says various groups of roommates on their hotel floor “got really connected right away.” He shared a room with three other guys, including a friend from Phoenix. When morning came, they headed over to Shetler Studios and got directions to the Open Jar Productions Studio.

Open Jar students typically eat breakfast and lunch at the studio, and have three classes each day — a dance class, an acting class and a vocal workshop. They’re at the studio from about 9:15am to 4pm, then eat dinner in Times Square before taking in a show. Carlisle-King seemed smitten with every single minute of it — quickly rattling off the names of all the Broadway professionals they worked with that week.

Carlisle-King headshot from Lost in Yonkers with Arizona Theatre Company

Carlisle-King is a seasoned performer, having appeared in diverse community theater productions throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area. Still, he was blown away by the Open Jar experience. “I’ve never done anything like it before,” he shared. He’s got three words to describe his Open Jar classes — amazing, incredible and remarkable — and says the audition tips were especially helpful.

Open Jar tuition includes a ticket for four Broadway shows, so Carlisle-King and fellow students got to see “Newsies,” “Evita,” “Spiderman” and “Peter and the Starcatcher.” His mom flew in for part of the week so they saw “Phantom of the Opera” together. Seems Carlisle-King developed a “soft spot” for the show, especially the “Masquerade” scene, after seeing the movie as a 10 year old. “One day,” he says matter-of-factly, “I will want to play the Phantom.”

Nowadays he’s performing in the Valley Youth Theatre production of “Legally Blonde” at the Herberger Theater Center and starting his junior year at Arizona School for the Arts in Phoenix. Carlisle-King earned a National Youth Theatre award for outstanding supporting actor in a musical for playing Archie in “13” with Musical Theatre of Anthem last season, and is nominated for an Arizoni Award for the same role.

Carlisle-King says he’ll go to college rather than heading right to NYC once he graduates — and he’s got another career besides acting on the brain. “I’d like to be a fashion designer doing avant-garde clothes for men and women,” he says.  Recently he did choreography for a local drag queen pageant, and he’s already done a “one-woman show” at Soul Invictus in Phoenix.

It sounds like Carlisle-King already hears NYC calling him back to the bright lights of Broadway. “I love the big city,” he says. “It’s huge and yet everything is so tight and close together.” Seems he loves “walking everywhere” and finds even the skyscrapers “beautiful.” Still, he says, the best part is seeing so many different people. Soon, perhaps, he’ll be one of them.

— Lynn

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Coming up: Broadway prepares for a new season, Pit stop meets performing arts?

An “Annie” tale

Anthem mom Sherry Henderson sent me this clipping about her performance (with her twin sister) in the original “Annie” on Broadway

When the newest revival of “Annie” on Broadway opens this fall at the Palace Theatre, Sherry Henderson of Anthem will know just how its youngest cast members feel. Henderson and her twin sister were cast in the original “Annie,” which opened in 1977 at the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon Theatre). Henderson recalls being in the show for 17 months of its six year run.

Seems their mom, a dancer, thought that auditioning for “Annie” would be a good experience for her twin daughters. Henderson says about 1,000 girls auditioned, and both she and her sister got a callback. “The director, Martin Charnin, wanted to take us on tour,” recalls Henderson.

Henderson notes that their mom declined, thinking it’d be too tough to manage the logistics with her third child, just four years old at the time. So the director, recalls Henderson, asked their mom whether she’d be willing to take them to  Broadway. Soon they were headed to the Alvin Theatre, where one was cast as Molly and the other cast as Duffy (two of several young orphans in the show).

Two weeks later, says Henderson, they were performing in the show. Henderson and her sister were just eight years old, and in the third grade, at the time. She remembers driving two hours each way between Philadelphia and NYC every day, but says they still managed to miss 52 days of school. On weekends, they’d stay with their grandmother in Brooklyn.

Henderson is choreographing a Musical Theatre of Anthem production of “Annie” opening May 31 at Boulder Creek Performing Arts Center. Three years ago, she choreographed “Annie Jr.” for Anthem’s Starlight Community Theater. It’s clear the orphan tale holds a special place in Henderson’s heart.

“Annie is one of the best written and musically written shows ever done,” says Henderson. “It’s one of the first shows where little girls dreamed of being on Broadway.” The upcoming revival begins previews on Oct. 3, and opening night is Nov. 8. It’s directed by James Lapine, and stars Lilla Crawford (part of the closing cast of “Billy Elliot” on Broadway) as “Annie.”

“Annie” features music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin and book by Thomas Meehan. The original production earned a Tony Award for best musical. The Musical Theatre of Anthem production is co-directed by Jackie Hammond and Henderson. It’s a “no-cut” production — so everyone ages 6 to 19 who tried out will be rocking their “Annie” vibe.

Nowadays Henderson keeps busy acting, dancing, choreographing and teaching at Dynamic Dance Motion Academy in Anthem — but says her greatest joy comes from “being in theater as a parent.” Her 6-year-old daughter Molly and 10-year-old son Jaden recently performed in the Musical Theatre of Anthem production of “Willy Wonka.”

“Everybody should try theater once,” says Henderson. “It’s so much more than song and dance.” Henderson notes that participating in theater boosts children’s confidence and self-motivation, and equips them for future life experiences like speaking in front of crowds. And those performing in “Annie” learn something more — the value of being optimistic during times good and bad.

— Lynn

Note: Click here for details about the MTA production of “Annie” and here for information on the upcoming revival of “Annie” on Broadway.

Coming up: Once upon a blue star, Comicon meets creativity

From Wallace to Willy

Pat McMahon and the cast of "The Wallace & Ladmo Show" (Photo: Centennial Theatre Foundation)

Like many parents born and raised here in Arizona, my husband James grew up watching “The Wallace & Ladmo Show” — the longest running same-cast children’s television show in history. Think 1954 to 1989. Thanks to a collaboration between Centennial Theatre Foundation, Actors Theatre and Desert Foothills Theatre, generations old and new can revisit the show via a production written and directed by Ben Tyler.

It’s being presented this weekend by Desert Foothills Theatre (and during June at the Herberger Theater Center in Phoenix). Performances take place March 23-25 at Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center in Scottdale. Folks eager to explore this and other historic fare can also visit the House of Broadcasting in Scottsdale.

Musical Theatre of Anthem performs "Willy Wonka" March 29-April 1 (Photo: Olga Smirnoff)

Another North Valley theater, Musical Theatre of Anthem, has exciting news to share. Their production of “Willy Wonka,” being performed at the Boulder Creek High School mini-auditorium in Anthem, opens Thurs, March 29 and runs through Sun, April 1. They’re also anticipating the opening of their new theater at 42323 N. Vision Wy. come July, just in time for summer theater classes.

Musical Theatre of Anthem recently revealed its 2012/13 lineup, which includes “Our Town” (Sept), “Thoroughly Modern Millie” (Sept/Oct), “The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Jr.” (Oct), “A Year With Frog and Toad KIDS” (Oct), “Thumbelina (A Swallow’s Tale)” (Nov), “Something Beautiful” (Nov/Dec), “Winnie the Pooh KIDS” (Feb), “Little Shop of Horrors” (March), “Dear Edwina JR.” (March) and another show that’ll be announced once rights are secured. Their 2012/13 season also includes a holiday show (TBD in Dec) and fundraiser (Feb).

This future home of Musical Theatre of Anthem should be ready in July

The Arts Council of the North Valley presents their “7th Annual Regional Teen Art Competition” at The Caepe School and Fellowship Church in Anthem Sat, April 28 and Sun, April 29. The works of more than 60 students from area high schools will be exhibited. Think paintings, sculpture, photography and drawings. A panel of professional artists and educators will select winners, and folks who attend can cast their vote for “Viewers’ Choice.”

The council also presents “Picnic Under the Stars” next month. The Sat, April 28 benefit includes “a live auction, raffle items, culinary delights, and a cash bar.” Click here to learn more about the council’s many programs, including educational outreach — or to sign up for Arts Council of the North Valley alerts featuring timely news on music, dance, theater and visual arts offerings.

— Lynn

Note: Both Musical Theatre of Anthem and Desert Foothills Theatre offer summer theater camps, so check their websites for details (and find additional camp options here).

Coming up: I’m more than these stripes

Seuss sightings

Copperstar Repertory Co. presents Seussical at Higley Center for the Arts in March

Don the striped felt hats and ready the green eggs and ham — because all things Seuss are headed our way as families ready to celebrate the March 2 birthday of the man who brought us all those “things you can think.”

Fountain Hills Youth Theater opens its production of “Seussical Jr.” this Friday, Feb. 3. It’s family-friendly fare featuring favorite Seuss characters including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie and Jojo.

Front (L to R): Elysha Nemeth and Skylar Bickley, Back (L to R): Emily Spets, Patrick Moyse and Peyton Jordan in Seussical Jr. at Fountain Hills Theater

Musical Theatre of Anthem opens its production of “Seussical Jr.” Feb. 17 at Boulder Creek High School in Anthem. “Seussical Jr.” features songs like “Horton Hears a Who,” “How to Raise a Child,” “It’s Possible,” “Green Eggs and Ham” and “All Alone in the Universe.”

The musical “Seussical” presented by Copperstar Repertory Co., in partnership with Higley Center for the Arts, opens March 23. “Seussical,” which debuted on Broadway in 2000, is based on more than a dozen Seuss stories. It’s longer than the later “Jr.” version and contains a military thread removed from the musical’s adaptations for youth.

I took daughter Lizabeth to see “Seussical” when the touring production starring Cathy Rigsby came to ASU Gammage as part of its 2002-2003 season. She was about 10 years old at the time, and loved everything about it. She still does.

“Seussical” features book by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, whose names are as famous to musical theater folk as Dr. Suess is to the rest of us. Flaherty wrote the music for “Seussical,” and Ahrens the lyrics. Their first team venture was a 1988 musical called “Lucky Stiff.”

Lizabeth performed in the Arizona School for the Arts production of “Lucky Stiff” at Greasepaint Youtheatre before heading off to NYC for college theater studies. It was directed by Toby Yatso, who’ll be narrating “Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham” for the Phoenix Symphony on March 17.

Cast members from the Musical Theatre of Anthem production of Seussical, Jr. (Photo: Olga Smirnoff)

“Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham” is being conducted by Joseph Young and performed at the Orpheum in Phoenix. It features Allison Stanford (soprano) and Aaron Zweiback (boy soprano) and Bill Wanser (percussion) as well as Yatso and actors from Valley Youth Theatre. 

I first saw the talented Zweiback perform during a Childsplay Academy performance featuring selections from the musical “Grease,” but he’s since performed with Phoenix Theatre and VYT.

The Phoenix Symphony production allows families to “follow and interact with Sam-I-Am as he rhymes his way through Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham.” It’ll feature “a rendition of Gerald McBoing Boing, an animated short film by Dr. Seuss and selections from Seussical the Musical.”

“Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax,” from the creators of “Despicable Me,” opens in movie theaters nationwide March 2. It follows the adventures of a 12-year-old boy seeking to win the girl of his dreams, and features lots of big names from Zac Efron and Taylor Swift to Betty White and Danny DeVito.

One Seuss, Two Seuss. Theater Seuss, Musical Suess. It’s all good. But I’m still not sporting the big hat.

— Lynn

Note: Check your local libraries and bookstores as Dr. Seuss’ birthday draws near for special Seuss-inspired activities for children and families. Click here to explore a PBS Independent Lens presentation called “The Political Dr. Seuss,” and here to enjoy PBS’ “The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That.”

Coming up: Here piggy, piggy…

Theater meets Christmas

Irving Berlin's White Christmas comes to ASU Gammage in Tempe Dec. 6-11

More than a dozen Valley venues are presenting family-friendly theater fare with a Christmas theme. Here’s an early round-up, listed by city, to help families who celebrate Christmas with holiday planning…

Anthem

Musical Theatre of Anthem presents a “Holiday Show” Dec. 16. www.musicaltheatreofanthem.org.

Fountain Hills

Fountain Hills Theater presents “Christmas Jukebox” Nov. 25-Dec. 18. www.fhtaz.org.

Gilbert

Hale Theatre Arizona presents “It’s a Wonderful Life” through Nov. 26 and  “A Christmas Carol” Dec. 1-23. www.haletheatrearizona.com.

Glendale

Spotlight Youth Theatre presents “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” Dec. 2-18. www.spotlightyouththeatre.org.

Mesa

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre presents “A Christmas Carol” Nov. 17-Dec. 25. www.broadwaypalmwest.com.

East Valley Children’s Theatre presents “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” Dec. 1-11. www.evct.org.

Southwest Shakespeare Company presents “A Christmas Carol” Nov. 26-Dec. 17. www.swshakespeare.org.

Southwest Shakespeare Company performs A Christmas Carol Nov. 26-Dec. 17 in Mesa

Peoria

Arizona Broadway Theatre presents “Miracle on 34th St.” Nov. 25-Dec. 29 and “A Broadway Christmas Carol” Dec. 9-17. www.arizonabroadwaytheatre.com.

The Homestead Playhouse presents “A Christmas Carol” Dec. 1-4. www.dcranchnet.com.

Theater Works presents “A Christmas Carol” Dec. 2-18. Theater Works/Youth Works Puppet Works presents “Saving Santa” Dec. 3-24 (Sat only). www.theaterworks.com.

Phoenix

Grand Canyon University presents “Amahl and the Night Visitors” Dec. 2-11. www.gcu.edu.

New Carpa Theater Co. presents “American Pastorela” Dec. 9-18 at the Third Street Theater (Phoenix Center for the Arts). www.newcarpa.org. (Mature content)

Phoenix Theatre presents “A Christmas Story” Nov. 23-Dec. 18. www.phoenixtheatre.com.

Space 55 presents “A Bloody Mary Christmas II” Dec. 1-17 and “7 Minutes Under the Mistletoe” Dec. 17. www.space55.org. (Mature content)

The Black Theatre Troupe presents “Black Nativity” Dec. 2-11. www.blacktheatretroupe.org.

Valley Youth Theatre presents “A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail” Dec 2-23. www.vyt.com.

Scottsdale

Theatre Artists Studio presents “Holiday Music & Musings: From the Page to the Stage” Dec. 2. www.thestudiophx.org.

Sun City

Sun City Grand Drama and Comedy Club presents “Over the River and Through the Woods” Dec. 1-4. www.granddrama.com.

East Valley Children's Theatre presents The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Dec. 1-11

Tempe

ASU Gammage presents “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” (touring production) Dec. 6-11. www.asugammage.com.

If your Valley organization is presenting a theater production with a Christmas, or other winter holiday, theme — please comment below to let readers know.

— Lynn

Note: A calendar of family-friendly events is always available online at www.raisingarizonakids.com. This post will be updated as I learn of additional theater offerings with a Christmas theme. Although most of the events noted above are designed for family audiences, please note that some are “mature audience” only productions.

Coming up: Christmas concerts, A cup of cheer

Update: Some of these shows are extending their runs, so check theater company websites for the latest and greatest information. 11/26/11

Ode to ensembles

This Ballet Arizona photo of their 2009 production of The Nutcracker shows just how beautiful a work can be when it features a rich ensemble cast

Looking back on Lizabeth’s School of Ballet Arizona days, I recall that many of the young students she trained alongside of aspired to perform the role of “Clara” in “The Nutcracker.” For some, being cast in anything short of a lead part was tremendously disappointing. For a few, it felt like abject failure.

I was always amazed by the dance students who decided to turn down roles other than those they’d been hoping to perform. I was a “dance mom” at the School of Ballet Arizona for nearly a dedade, and spent many a holiday season volunteering with young dancers at Symphony Hall — so I speak from experience on this one.

Dancers who performed the roles like angel, toy soldier or Mother Ginger’s child had every bit as much fun backstage as those who performed the role of “Clara” or the “Prince.” They had lots of time with friends, the experience of waiting in the wings for their turn to dance and the thrill of performing for a packed house.

Lizabeth never expressed disappointment that she wasn’t cast as “Clara” — I think because I’ve long sent the message that every role counts. Parents who taught their children that “Clara” was the singular role to aspire to ended up with teary-eyed ballerinas who sometimes turned down other roles for which they were wonderfully suited.

The ensemble of Peter Pan at Musical Theatre of Anthem -- which is one of ten shows nominated this year for a best youth musical AriZoni Award

I’m not against setting high goals and expectations, but I’m not sure stage parents do justice to their children when they set them up for failure by insisting that only lead roles really matter. Or by spending lots of time trying to drive or second guess casting decisions.

I always taught Lizabeth that directors cast based on the best fit. I love lots of shoes at the mall, but I can’t wear them all. A shoe can be perfectly beautiful and special, but still not come home with me. If I need a high heel, a kitten heel simply won’t do — though frankly, I’m a bigger fan of flip flops and flats.

Not being chosen for a particular role does not mean you aren’t good enough. It does not mean that a director does not like you. It just means you’re not the best fit for the part — sometimes literally, when pre-existing costumes have to be factored into the decision making process.

I spoke recently with three young actors from Fountain Hills Community Theater, and asked their thoughts on the benefit of playing ensemble roles. Andrey Lull noted that there are some shows in which the ensemble is quite significant, singing or dancing for most of the production.

Picture “West Side Story” with only Tony and Maria, but no “Sharks” or “Jets.” Or productions of “South Pacific” and “Mamma Mia!” devoid of dancing and singing sailors. Even Joseph in his technicolor dreamcoat isn’t all that compelling without all those folks who back him up.

Tyler Maxson stars in the Mesa Encore Theatre production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat opening at MAC on Aug 5 (Photo by Sarah Rodgers)

Ryan Smith shared that being an ensemble member is a great way to get your bearing on stage, and to improve skills — like staying focused — that are essential for playing the lead. And Natalie Kilker said something I’ve heard Lizabeth say on other occasions. That ensemble members sometimes have the most fun because they have varied dance and musical numbers, and often get to portray more than one character in a single show.

Lizabeth and I are big believers in standing for all cast members if we feel a show has earned a standing ovation. Why would I wait for “Annie” before standing to applaud if the whole show was magic? It’s rare, I think, that a lead performer is singularly grand separate and apart from the other actors sharing the stage. Never mind that I could watch Andrew Rannells of “The Book of Mormon” sing “I Believe” over and over again on an otherwise empty stage and leave feeling perfectly satisfied.

Acting companies are teams. They’re families. Everyone in your family matters, and so does everyone who makes a show happen — including every single cast, creative and technical team member. To teach your child anything less is to set her up for disappointment — and to deprive her of the many joys ensemble work often brings.

— Lynn

Note: Click here for audition details for Ib Andersen’s “The Nutcracker” being performed by Ballet Arizona at Symphony Hall Dec. 9-24, 2011

Coming up: Celebrating the 50th annual Utah Shakespeare Festival

Disney alert!

As I said goodnight to my daughter Lizabeth one evening this week, I thought of how she’d soon be heading off to college. And I remembered one of her favorite sayings, from a Disney movie we saw together nearly a decade ago.

Ohana means family. Family means no one gets left behind…or forgotten.

It’s a mantra of sorts for the main character, Lilo, who discovers that her family is anything but typical. And that’s okay.

Disney stories are full of themes — like chasing dreams and overcoming adversity — that appeal to folks of all ages. So it’s no surprise that Disney books, movies and toys line the shelves (on a good day) of so many homes.

But there’s a special magic to seeing the “house of mouse” brought to life on stage. If there’s a Disney-lover in your family, mark your calendar now for these live productions of Disney classics, many of which have the added charm of being performed by young actors.

Camp Rising Star and Starlight Community Theatre in Anthem present “Disney’s 101 Dalmatians Kids” at 1pm and 7pm Sat, July 23.

They’re performing at the Safeway Shopping Center in Anthem (3665 W. Anthem Way, Ste 119-B). Tickets are just $5 at the door — making this a fun, affordable escape from the heat.

I used to shop the Outlets at Anthem for bargains on kids clothes when my children were younger.

Folks who hit the Anthem outlets Sat, June 23, between 2:30 and 4pm can enjoy a Disney “Shake it Up!” dance party presented by Radio Disney AM 1580. Dalmatians and dance — I like it.

Fountain Hills Community Theatre’s Youth Theatre presents “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” Aug 26-Sept 11 — and Desert Foothills Theater’s Gecko Teatro presents “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” in May 2012.

If your children love Disney, I don’t need to tell you that seeing the same show twice isn’t a problem.

You’ll have two chances to enjoy “Disney’s Aladdin, Jr.” come October. It’s being performed Oct 13-15 by Musical Theatre of Anthem and Oct 21-30 by Greasepaint Youtheatre in Scottsdale.

Mesa Arts Center presents “Choo-Choo Soul With Genevieve!” — from Disney Junior — for two Oct 8 performances that feature beatbox artist DC and musician Genevieve Goings. Think trains, hip hop, numbers and letters.

Lizabeth and I wanted to see a touring production of “Tarzan” while we were in Cedar City for last year’s Utah Shakespeare Festival, but we just didn’t have time to take everything in.

So I was excited to learn that Arizona Broadway Theatre is presenting the Arizona premiere of “Tarzan The Stage Musical,” based on the Disney film, April 20-May 27, 2012.

I remember seeing the Disney movie “Tarzan” with my three children when they were all 10 & under — and still get misty-eyed when I hear Phil Collins sing “You’ll Be in My Heart.”

Like most families, we can almost mark time by the stream of Disney stories through our lives. Our children are all grown now, but I’m glad we made time — when they were young — to enjoy all those afternoons of theater together.

— Lynn

Coming up: Going Grimm, Girl power!

Last call for theater camps!

Comedy mask in stained glass window at the Scottsdale theater where Greasepaint Youtheatre camps are held

When I spoke recently with ASU dance major Echo Laney, I asked her to share a bit about the benefits of participating in theater camps. Laney participated in Camp Broadway at ASU Gammage several years ago, and describes it as a life-changing experience.

“Theater camp opens you to new experiences,” reflects Laney. It makes for “nice networking” and helps campers “discover who they are and what they can do.” Reflecting on her own time with Camp Broadway, Laney shares that theater camp “opens the mind” and fuels powerful dreams.

Tragedy mask in stained glass at the old Stagebrush Theater in Scottsdale

I learned the hard way many years ago that many Valley summer day camps start filling up as early as February, but I know plenty of parents have yet to sit down with their children or teens to firm up summer plans — despite the fact that some camps begin next week.

For those still exploring summer camp options, here’s a nifty list of Valley organizations offering theater camps — complete with links so you can easily learn more about your many options. Don’t delay, because in many cases this really is your last chance…

Actor’s Youth Theatre at www.actorsyouththeatre.org

Ahwatukee Children’s Theatre at www.azact.org

Arizona Broadway Theatre at www.azbroadway.org

Arizona Jewish Theatre Company at www.azjewishtheatre.org

Art and Sol Performing Arts Program at www.artandsolprogram.com

ASU Gammage at www.asugammage.com

Chandler Center for the Performing Arts at www.chandlercenter.org

Childsplay Theatre Company at www.childsplayaz.org

Christian Youth Theater at www.cytphoenix.org

Creative Stage Youth Theatre at www.csyt.org

Dearing Acting Studio at www.dearingstudio.com

Desert Stages Theatre at www.desertstages.org

Do Re Mi School for the Arts at www.doremischool.com

East Valley Children’s Theatre at www.evct.org

Fountain Hills Community Theater at www.fhct.org

Greasepaint Youtheatre at www.greasepaint.org

Kirk’s Studio for the Performing Arts at www.kirksstudio.com

Life’s a Stage Productions at www.lasacting.com

Mesa Arts Center at www.mesaartscenter.com

Musical Theatre of Anthem at www.musicaltheatreofanthem.org

Phoenix Center for the Arts at www.phoenixcenterforthearts.org

Phoenix Theatre at www.phoenixtheatre.com

Scottsdale Conservatory of the Performing Arts at www.scottsdaleconservatory.com

Scottsdale Glee at www.scottsdaleglee.org

Scottsdale Studios at www.gleecamps.com

Spotlight Youth Theatre at www.spotlightyouththeatre.org

Starlight Community Theater at www.starlightcommunitytheater.org

Studio 3 Performing Arts Academy at www.studio3arts.com

Theater Works at www.theaterworks.org

Theatre Artists Studio at www.thestudiophx.org

Valley Youth Theatre at www.vyt.com

Voices: A Music & Arts Studio at www.voicesstudio.com

To learn more about theater and other camps, check out the “Summer Solutions” 2011 camp directory compiled by Mala Blomquist of Raising Arizona Kids.

If you know of another Valley organization offering summer theater camps, please comment below to let our readers know.

–Lynn

Note: Click here for links to camps that participated in the RAK Camp Fair 2011.

Coming up: Celebrating Father’s Day — arts and culture style!

Anthem tales

I met a 12-year-old named Sarah Miller, and her mother Ruth, during intermission for Tuesday night’s performance of “Mamma Mia!” at ASU Gammage. 

I was delighted to learn that Sarah has performed in several community theater productions in Anthem, where she lives and plans to attend The Caepe School come fall.

I spoke with Sarah by phone Wednesday evening, after she’d finished a dance class with Dynamic Motion Dance Academy in Anthem — where she studies jazz, musical theater and tap. She’s also trained in ballet and hip hop.

I spotted Sarah in the huge “Mamma Mia!” crowd thanks to her powder blue t-shirt with a large “Mamma Mia!” logo. Although Sarah told me she loves the show, she was most eager to talk about her hometown theaters — Starlight Community Theater and Musical Theatre of Anthem.

Sarah has performed in several Starlight Community Theater productions — including “Beauty and the Beast” and “Cinderella,” plus her very favorite piece of musical theater — “Annie.” Sarah’s last “Starlight” role was “Tweedle Dum” in “Alice in Wonderland.”

Both Starlight and MTA of Anthem feature performances by and for youth

She’s excited about Starlight’s 2011/12 season, which includes “Willy Wonka,” “Miracle of 34th Street – The Musical,” “Fame!,” “Arsenic and Old Lace,” “Rapunzel,” and “Once Upon a Mattress.”

Playwright and director Jim Gradillas, artistic director for Creative Stages Youth Theatre in Peoria, will be heading the “Rapunzel” production. Sarah praises Gradillas for working directly with each actor, for being a master at motivating kids to do their best, and for using games and other strategies to keep theater time fresh and fun.

So far Sarah has performed in just a single Musical Theatre of Anthem production — “The Wizard of Oz.” But she hopes to perform in more MTA shows down the road.

The 2011/12 lineup for Musical Theatre of Anthem includes “Disney’s Aladdin Jr.,” “13,” “Willy Wonka, Jr.,” “Seussical, Jr.,” and “Annie.” Sarah describes it as “a good selection” but already knows at least one show will conflict with other plans for the coming year.

Sarah is especially excited about auditioning for “Annie.” While she’d love to play the lead, Sarah told me that young actors have the best chance of getting major roles when they indicate a genuine willingness to accept any part they’re offered.

When I asked Sarah for additional audition tips for children and teens, she happily shared quite a few of them. Be present. Don’t act nervous. Make eye contact. Be easygoing. And most of all, don’t be fake. “Act like yourself,” suggests Sarah.

The approach seems to be working for Sarah, who shared that she’s already recording her singing and working with a producer at Island Def Jam Recordings.

She’d love to break into the music business or land an acting gig with Disney or Nickelodeon. She even shared this link to her performance of “I Could Have Danced All Night.”

Whatever the future holds for Sarah, it’s clear that her time on Anthem stages is serving her well — and that the memories she’s making right here in the Valley will last a lifetime.

— Lynn

Note: Visit the websites for Musical Theatre of Anthem and Starlight Community Theater to learn about current productions and summer programs. And watch for a photo of Sarah coming soon…

Coming up: Transformers — opera style, New plays — festival style

Update: An open call audition for the roles of Annie and the orphans in a new Broadway production of “Annie” is taking place June 12 for girls ages 6-12. Click here for details.