By Ellen Davis
Get ready to board the S.S. American for a fun filled ride as the Seven Bridges Theater gets ready to set sail with “Anything Goes.” You will certainly Get a Kick out of our performances on Friday, February 7th at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, February 8th at 7:30 p.m., and a Sunday matinee, February 9th at 2pm.
The cast and crew has been rehearsing for weeks and 5th graders Ryan Spiro, Charlotte Harrison and 7th grader Mary Grace Sullivan can’t wait to sing and dance in front of an audience. Violet Gautreau remembered her four years in the theater program. She was a knife in “Beauty and the Beast,” a fish in “Seusical,” Ursula in “Little Mermaid” and now she is Reno in “Anything Goes.” She feels it was really great to “work your way up and prove you’re up to the challenge of getting a lead part”
Director Kevin Kierens thinks:
“This show is going to knock the socks off our audience. I won’t be surprised if there is not an insurgence of audience members seeking tap instruction in our local dance studios. Our own “dancing with our stars” here in Chappaqua. You can’t leave this theatre without feeling good and humming those great Cole Porter tunes. It’s Delovely!”
And speaking of dancing, Choreographer Linda Carelli and Theater Chair Aimee Gautreau headed up a fall tap class leading up to the auditions. Many boys and girls participated. Linda stated: “I loved teaching the six week pre audition tap class. Many of the kids had never tapped before and by the end of the session I was amazed with how much technique they learned. More than 45 kids participated and they were quite proud of their accomplishment. It made them more confident and relaxed at the audition.”
Wesley Ford portrays Billy and Noah Hellman is Whitney. Both eighth graders had always been on the tech crew working behind the scenes. They decided to step in front of the spotlight and both earned lead parts.
Another eighth grader, Katie Katz is a reporter and flapper. She loves to play characters “that aren’t really like her.” And 6th graders Anna Karp and Paige Dalrymple and 8th grader Sydney Herzog thinks the best part is spending so much time with friends.
John Admunson, finishes his fourth year on the Seven Bridges Stage. This year he stars as Sir Evelyn. And he thinks participating in theater has been “wonderful and tiring.” And another four timer Amanda Chin, who portrays Hope thinks “The cast is amazing and the big production numbers are amazing.” Moonface Martin, also known as Jackson Gautreau, thinks “Theater is a great way to express yourself.” And 6th grader Ellie Leibner who portrays Bonnie, thinks “It’s not about what part you have, but, the memories you make.”
So get ready to Blow Gabriel Blow. This is going to be a great night of song and dance. Vocal coach Sara Brett England thinks the audience will love the life orchestra. “It’s really quite exciting, especially as some of these kids have never sung with one at Seven Bridges. I’m a huge proponent of live music, as it’s truly the heartbeat of the show. Not only does it give employment for musicians, but it can also inspire budding middle school musicians and allow them to see that musical theatre is a field to go into.”
So get on board as tickets are going fast.
https://secure.sellingticket.com/design22/clients/list/index_byUserListAll.aspx?OrganizationID=123Anything Goes Poster
Ellen Davis is Television Writer/Producer/Director. She is also the proud Mom of Violet and Jackson Gautreau
