Inside Look at Trumbull High School's Crazy for You

Logo of THS's Crazy for You

Today marked the closing of Trumbull High School's 2013 Spring Musical, Crazy for You. With music created by the Gershwins, it was an instant classic when it hit the Broadway stage in 1992. In Trumbull's production, over 110 students auditioned, but only around 70 people actually made it into the show. Leading the cast was Matt Johnson as Bobby and Gabby Gottschall as Polly.
Now I know what you're thinking: Crazy for You is a tap show.
Trumbull High, in the past, has done tap shows (most recently 42nd Street). TYA (Trumbull Youth Association) did Anything Goes in 2011, so many people weren't too shabby on their tap skills.Various tap workshops were also held, so students who attended could know a few tap moves before the auditions.
Based off of the musical Girl Crazy, Crazy for You contains music from various shows, such as (but not limited too): But Not For Me, Could You Use Me, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Can't Be Bothered Now, and I Got Rhythm. Crazy for You is what I like to call an "old school musical": The theme is very much like older movies and shows, where there is a love connection until a conflict rises up.
This show was not easy. Directed by Jessica Spillane, Musically directed by Jerold Goldstien and Choreographed by Frank and Abby Root, all who made the show knew it was going to be a challenge. In the end, we had flawless dancing, beautiful and strong voices to carry out those beautiful Gershwin melodies and amazing choreography. I am not just saying this because I was in it. I am only mentioning what many random strangers have said when they walked up to cast members and crew.

The Follies Girls dancing in "I Got Rhythm"

The life of a musical is amazing. You have 50+ people who don't know each other, no sets, no costumes, not even lights. In 3 months, you have another family, amazing sets, colorful costumes and lights that change the mood of every scene. Crew just doesn't do it alone. Parents and students were working together to make this show a success. In the words of Polly, just because we didn't sell out "doesn't mean we're a failure." You don't need to sell out a show in order to have a successful show. You need a cast and crew who understands each other 100% in order to succeed. I guess that is "Nice Work if You Can Get It".
Long story short: Crazy for You was, well, crazy, but in the end, it was well worth it as well as an honor to perform one of Broadway's finest musicals with amazing music made by George and Ira Gershwin.

Next show any of you do, you need to not say: I am not going to make any friends. You will make at least 10 new friends. You will have another family. You will find a home away from home.
Break a leg everybody.

Matt Johnson (center) and the Follies Girls performing "Can't Be Bothered Now"

~ Nathan Clift, 15 Trumbull High School, VP of NPT's Youth Board

Sunday Spotlight 3/17: Bruce Sabath

Thanks to all who attended our last Sunday Spotlight! It was very awesome and informative, correct?

This Sunday will be Bruce Sabath, a TV, Film and Broadway Star that was in Company with Kristin Huffman, the Youth Board's advisor as well as Artistic Director of the New Paradigm Theatre.

Bruce Sabath is a New York-based actor, working in theatre, film, TV and commercials. He played Larry in the 2006-07 Tony-winning revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Company. He was most recently seen in New York in Prospect Theater’s Portraits, and the workshop of the new musical Casanova, as well as the award-winning revival of Michael John LaChiusa’s Hello Again and the Off-Broadway musical, The Sphinx Winx. Sabath’s regional credits include Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along, directed by John Doyle at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and his acclaimed portrayal of Richard Nixon in the Southeast premier of Frost/Nixon at the Caldwell Theatre in Boca Raton. Sabath has also appeared closer to home at The Schoolhouse Theater in productions of The Imaginary Invalid and Lost in Yonkers.

Sabath, a former Wall Street “wiz kid” and corporate strategist, stunned his colleagues a decade-and-a-half ago when he chucked his established business career to pursue his first love, acting. He then stunned the theatre world when he debuted on Broadway, and was praised by Ben Brantley of The New York Times for his “touching and credible” performance as Larry, opposite Barbara Walsh as the acerbic Joanne. Sabath’s story has been profiled in The Wall Street Journal, Parade Magazine, The Sondheim Review, Backstage, Germany’s Der Spiegel, Westchester Magazine, and Psychology Today.


here is the link to sign up:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2416940212027392000


Please attend and please donate to our Rockethub for this wonderful opportunity!
~NPT Youth Board.

Inside and Out: Foran High School's Spring Production of "Grease: The Musical"

On Saturday March 2nd, I went to see Joseph A. Foran High School's spring production of the classic musical "Grease". Living in Milford, I do attend Foran High School, so it was an absolutely wonderful experience to see all of my peers up there on stage doing such a great job. And, I would know how much work went into it... because I helped choreograph it!

Since my teachers knew I was a dancer, they sought me out to choreograph the musical. I definitely couldn't do it alone, so I asked my friend Ellie Nolan to co-choreograph with me. Starting in December, we worked with all of the members of the play on all of the big dance numbers that "Grease" is famous for. Not having been involved in the music or drama department before, it was an eye-opening experience for me. I got to meet so many new people that I would have never gotten the chance to talk to before, and it was fun to see all of my new friends learn and grow as they attempted to tackle the dance moves we gave them. There wasn't one trained dancer in the program, so I am sure all of the choreography we threw at them was a challenge. However, by the time the curtain rose in March, they all looked as if they had been dancing for years! I was so proud of all of them for learning it so quickly and being able to make it look so good on stage with so little experience.

Now, for a critique of the show from an audience member's perspective, I would say that it was a terrific performance. I was actually a bit surprised at how well they did, as Foran High is not typically known to have an amazing theatre department. I congratulate the teachers who directed and produced the production, Theresa Voss, Jessica Shearer, and Emily Theodoseau, for putting together a really great show. They had a live jazz band playing all of the music, and I thought that was a really nice touch. I also appreciated the quality of the acting, because I felt that everyone got really into their roles and embraced their characters very nicely. Also, I thought that Sandy, played by Robin Patrick, completely stole the show! Her vocal and acting abilities were outstanding. The only negative comments I could make were that the scenery was not all that appealing to the eye, the pauses in between scenes were a bit long, and there was a little too much making out on stage! Overall, I thought that the play was wonderful and I am so proud of my friends for doing an amazing job.

For more information about Joseph A. Foran High School's drama department, visit http://www.milforded.org/page.cfm?p=9442.

- Shaina Arsenault, 15 years old
Joseph A. Foran High School

Sunday Spotlight #3: Randye Kaye!

Thanks you all who attended our second Sunday Spotlight with Alan Rust! It was super informative and extremely fun!

For our third Sunday Spotlight, we will have Actress, Voiceover Artist, Author and Speaker Randye Kaye!

Randye Kaye has over 20 years of experience working in the entertainment business, such as a voice talent, stage/TV/film actress, and radio personality, along with a rather long list of major clients.

 Randye has been heard on major radio stations as Morning Drive sidekick, PM Drive Personality, news director, and NPR classical music host, but now focuses on Voiceover work full-time. She is also a Voiceover coach with Edge Studio in New York, Connecticut as well as in the virtual world.

Randye has performed regionally, performing roles such as: Sally Bowels (Cabaret at University of New Haven), Adelaide (Guys and Dolls at University of New Haven) as a featured Equity Guest Artist, Sister Robert Anne (Nunsense and Nunsense 3 at Playhouse on the Green), and Nancy (Oliver at Edgerton Center). She has also co-starred in Momoirs in the Zipper Theatre in New York City.

As an author, she has written Ben Behind His Voices: One Family's Journey from the Chaos of Schizophrenia to Hope. The story is about her firstborn slowly becoming diagnosed with schizophrenia and the challenges the family faces yet trying to maintain their love for him. She is currently fpron another book, entitled, Happier Made Simple: Straight Talk for Successful Living. She also runs 3 blogs: 
Ben Behind His Voices blog: Family Matters in Mental Illness and Recovery

Mental Illness in the Family — Award-winning Blog for HealthyPlace.comLife on the Voiceover List — Tips and Thoughts on Voice Acting

For information on her career as a Speaker, visit: http://speaker.randyekaye.com/

Please join us this Sunday at 8pm! Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4644603546304548608

Also, we are using a free trial of the GotoWebinar, which we use to do the Spotlights on. We would like to buy a full year plan, but that would cast around $2000. In order to fund raise money, we have decided to set up a Rockethub. If you can donate whatever you can, we will be thankful. Join us this Sunday, and if you like what you see, then please donate so we can continue this wonderful program. 

Here is the Rockethub link:   http://www.rockethub.com/projects/20442-help-us-out-with-our-sunday-spotlights

Here are some reviews from past Sunday Spotlights:

"LOVED this webinar. Looking forward to the next one. Some of the questions I was prepared to ask were asked by the interviewer so I just listened this time, but it was very informative."  Becca

"WOW!!! What a great idea! As you are aware, many very talented teens (and adults) are rather timid and, many times, awestruck when facing producers, casting directors, performers, etc.  This gives them the ability to have a voice that's as loud and clear as a seasoned professional." Steve

~NPT Youth Board

NYU Tisch Sophomore Class Presents: Little Women, the Musical

Some of you are probably thinking, "Little Women...a musical? Huh?" Well, I can assure you I thought the same thing when my voice teacher offered me a ticket to see a production of it at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. I didn't know much about the book, let alone the musical, so it was a very new experience for me.

I left Tisch's black box theatre completely amazed on Sunday night. For those of you who don't know, Little Women follows the life Jo March and her three sisters, Meg, Beth and Amy. They live with their mother Marmee, who must take care of them while their father serves in the Union Army. Jo wants to be a writer, but her "blood and guts" stories don't appeal to the publishers who have read them. The sisters deal with love, identity, and a bond between them that grows stronger every minute. For you musical theatre buffs, Sutton Foster played Jo when Little Women first opened on Broadway.

The sophomore class totally blew my mind with their talent and conviction. I judge an actor by how much or how little I question their transformation into their character. I did not question any actor on that stage. Each one portrayed their characters perfectly. My voice teacher works at Tisch, and hadtwo students in the production. One was Mia Bergstrom, playing Meg, and the other Grace Ellen, playing Mrs. Kirk. The voices were phenomenal, the acting superb, and production overall one of the best I've seen. I was lucky enough to watch their closing night, or i might have otherwise missed this brilliant piece of theatre. Bravo, sophomore class, you've impressed many in your run of Little Women. Well, you certainly impressed me.

-Matt, 16
Stamford High School
President of NPT Youth Board