Oscar Nominations 2015

It's that time of the year again! After another wonderful film season, the nominees of the best films in America will announce their winners in the live telecast NEXT WEEK!

I really thought that Into the Woods would have been nominated for Best Picture (considering that and Jersey Boys were the most recent movie musicals to be made, one of them could have taken the spot). After having a few weeks to think about it, I stand by what I said about the film. It was well done. HOWEVER: If they took the time to really develop the second half instead of shove it into the last 30 minutes, it would have been nominated and might have won! (though it was nominated for 3 Academy Awards)

Nevertheless, here are some of the awards and their nominees I am the most excited for (if that didn't make sense, I apologize) (for the entire list, visit: http://oscar.go.com/nominees)

BEST PICTURE:
Birdman, Selma, Boyhood, The Theory of Everything, The Imitation Game, American Sniper, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Whiplash

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Steve Carell (Foxcatcher), Eddie Redmanye (The Theory of Everything), Bradley Cooper (American Sniper), Michael Keaton (Birdman), Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game)

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Meryl Streep (for Into the Woods), Patricia Arquette (Boyhood), Emma Stone (Birdman), Laura Dern (Wild), Kiera Knightly (The Imitation Game)

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Into the Woods, Maleficent, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Inherent Vice, Mr. Turner

MAKEUP AND HAIR STYLING
Guardians of the Galaxy, Foxcatcher, The Grand Budapest Hotel

PRODUCTION DESIGN
The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Imitation Game, Interstellar, Into the Woods

VISUAL EFFECTS
Captain America: The Winter Solider, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Ment: Days of Future Past, Interstellar

ANIMATED FILM
Big Hero 6, The Boxtrolls, How to Train Your Dragon 2, Song of the Sea, The Tale of Princess Kaygua

Which nominee do you hope will win the Oscar?
-Nathan Clift, 17
Trumbull High School
President of the Youth Board

SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT IS BACK: 1-25-15, "I Graduated from Arts College... Now what?"

Join us for New Paradigm Theatre’s SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT.

Jan 25th 9pm EST 

Sunday Spotlight is A FREE educational webinar (you tune in from your own computer!) that features guest stars from Broadway, Film/TV as well as Voice Over Artists, Producers, Directors, Casting and all walks of the Entertainment industry. These pros give you their time so that you can learn about the business of the Performing Arts from the experts!

Sign up via the link below (free) and you will be sent your own personal link to use on the day of the Webinar. Jan 25th. 9pm EST. You see and hear through your own computer as well as being able to ask questions of the stars. https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7179521021932180225

This month’s topic: The era of "Pick me" is over! "I will create my own!" is here! NPT selected six successful college graduates to participate in a Round table discussion regarding their experiences in the "outside" world. "Creating your own Career" using what each of them has learned in the arts, will be a big theme this evening.

Tune in from your own computer (it's a free webinar) and hear successful grads give you advice and answer your questions in a thoughtful manner that will get you thinking about your own mission. Presented by The New Paradigm Theatre Company-NPT (a non profit) as a part of their mentoring mission to create leaders through the arts. www.nptheatre.org

TO ATTEND: USE THIS LINK NOW TO SIGN UP FOR FREE 
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7179521021932180225
(You will then be sent your own link to use on the day of the webinar which is: Sunday, Jan 25th. 9pm EST)

The Golden Globes! It was... confusing...

Congrats to all the winners! Honorable mentions are:
Best TV Series- Comedy or Musical: Transparent
Best TV Series- Drama: The Affair
Best Original Score of a Motion Picture: The Theory of Everything
Best Original Song of a Motion Picture: Selma, "Glory"
Best Screenplay: Birdman
Best Foreign Language Film: Leviathan
Director of a Motion Picture: Boyhood
Best Picture- Comedy or Musical: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Best Picture- Drama: Boyhood
Lifetime Achievement Award: George Clooney

Broadway Actors/ Actresses/ Adaptions that had wins tonight:
Best Actress in a Motion Picture- Comedy or Musical: Amy Adams (Big Eyes)
Best Supporting Actor in a TV Mini-series, Series, or TV Movie: Matt Bomer (The Normal Heart)
Best Actor in a Motion Picture- Drama: Eddie Redmanye (The Theory of Everything)

Wait... Big Eyes? The movie based on a true story that was actually a drama? What's it doing in the Comedy/ Musical category?

I wish I knew. It ISN'T a comedy or musical, and I wouldn't consider (from the various trailers and clips shown tonight) Birdman a comedy either. Nor Pride (though PRIDE and BIRDMAN were considered Drama/ Comedy). In fact, Into the Woods and The Grand Budapest Hotel were really the only movie to fit the category (The same, I hear, happened to the TV shows).

Now I'm not saying that those movies shouldn't have been nominated. They deserved their spot. However, when you set a boundary for a movie genre and then place a movie in it that doesn't belong there, then why have boundaries? If they made a giant Motion Picture category, then it would make sense.

I don't know... Maybe I'm the only one that found it odd. We'll see what happens at the Oscars. Personally, though Into the Woods won less Golden Globes than Les Miserables did, it could mean something for the Oscars. Chicago was nominated for 8 Golden Globes 12 years ago and won 3. We never know.

I could go on and express worries about the future of musical films, but let's look back on the 2 most recent, okay?

• Frozen: It was the only movie musical last year (though it was animated). It is now the highest grossing animated film of all time and LOST the Golden Globe win for Best Original Song ("Let it Go" still holds onto our heads)
• Les Miserables: Won Best Picture- Musical or Comedy at Golden Globes. Hugh Jackman won against Daniel Day Lewis and Anne Hathaway won for Fantine. However, ONLY Anne Hathaway went on to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

Coming up soon is the film adaption of a risky piece of literature. I don't know how audiences will react to that. It's not something that appeals to all audiences, nor does it seem interesting to many. The love story is flawed from the start and it almost didn't happen. Luckily, it did. Of course I am talking about The Last Five Years! Who will be seeing that?

-Nathan Clift, 17

Trumbull High School

President of the Youth Board

The "Agony" is Over: A Movie Review of Disney's Into The Woods

Before Christmas, Into the Woods had bad reviews from it's initial premiere. Of course, there weren't musical theatre kids at that premiere. Heck, I'm willing to bet that there weren't kids at the premiere either. After Christmas, I read more positive than negative reviews. (example: http://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/why-into-the-woods-matters, or https://www.theproducersperspective.com/my_weblog/2014/12/5-reasons-why-i-loved-the-into-the-woods-movie.html)

My thoughts on the film and why it is fantastic:

Into the Woods Logo

1. James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim worked on the film. They both wrote the musical. Obviously they want the film to be extremely close to the show. 
2. Rob Marshall directed this as well as the film adaption of Chicago. That movie went onto win the Best Picture Oscar in 2003 (no movie musical had won since). Every choice that was made was clear and thought out. I really trusted him with this wonderful piece of musical theatre.
3. Rob Marshall stated that he wanted a Post 9/11 Fairy tale feel. His reasoning was because Fairy tales mean something depending on the time. I thought that the approach was intelligent and also very true.
4. It wasn't even Disney! So many people thought that it was going to be "Disney-fied" and everything would be more like Disney. That isn't true. In fact, this is the darkest Disney film I have seen (and possibly ever created). It stayed extremely true to the original show (even though there had to be some changes for timing reasons).
5. They cast singers, not just big name people! Sure, Anna Kendrick and Meryl Streep are the big name stars, but they cast the film based on their abilities. Jack was from the West End (remember Gavroche in Les Miserables two years ago? Same person). Little Red was Annie in the most recent revival of Annie. I could go on and on, but it would take hours to get through.

Emily Blunt as the Baker's Wife and James Cordan as the Baker

There are too many reasons why I loved the movie (as listed above). The only things I didn't hate, but also didn't love were:

• "Act 2" was jammed into the last 30 minutes of the movie. If they extended the run time to 2 hours 15 minutes, then it would have been perfect.
• Anna Kendrick had a complete 180 from Pitch Perfect. She had to embody a Classical Broadway sound for Cinderella. It is a challenge, and she managed to get that Broadway sound. There were hints of Classical in there, but not enough. She is too "modern Broadway" (as some of my friends called it), and that is why she'll be perfect in The Last Five Years. Cinderella wasn't the best fit for her, but she still did a pretty good job. 

Now what does Disney producing a musical so dark as INTO THE WOODS mean for other movie musicals? It means that many other musicals now have an opportunity to begin development. INTO THE WOODS grossed $13 Million on opening day. Disney took a chance on INTO THE WOODS, and it was a success. Could this mean that...

• Dreamworks could produce a movie version of Side Show?
• Nickelodeon could produce a movie version of Anything Goes? 
• Disney could produce a movie version of Hello, Dolly! ?

Who knows? The future looks bright for the movie musical world. I mean, as long as they continue to cast singers and not only big name stars, but also if they think of the future and giving the children the opportunity to experience culture. "Careful of the things you say, Children will listen".

"Anything can happen in the woods", and Disney proved that with Into the Woods, which is currently in theaters as of Christmas Day. I knew that the movie was going to be great, and my expectations were exceeded. They get a solid A from me. If they didn't cut down the second half of the story, it would have been a solid A+. 

Be careful what you wish for...

-Nathan Clift, 17, Trumbull High School

President of the Youth Board

The Little Mermaid Wasn't A Flop And I Can Prove It!

Tonight, ABC Family aired a 1-hour special dedicated to Disney's Broadway Musicals. From Beauty and the Beast to Aladdin, Disney Theatrical Productions have captivated audiences every year for 20 years. We also got confirmation that FROZEN will hit the Great White Way... at some point. However, there was little mention of The Little Mermaid, Tarzan, Aida, and no mention of the Broadway-Bound Hunchback of Notre Dame. Of course, those shows/ movies didn't do well, so why would Disney bother with them?

Maybe I'm being a little harsh on Disney. Then again, maybe I'm not...

I saw Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid on Broadway. Those where the first two shows I've seen. I loved both of them. The adults didn't. I'm going back to Disney, but first: Peter Pan Live! and a little boy named Iain.
(email viewers, try this link)

Iain is a little boy that reviews live theater. He stayed up to watch Peter Pan Live! and guess what: 

he loved it.

(email viewers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buue45huJbQ) 

I have the VHS tapes of Mary Martin as Peter Pan and Cathy Rigby as Peter Pan. I always loved watching them. No matter what time of the day it was, I could get invested in that musical. It's wonderful! However, Peter Pan Live! had a 47% viewer decrease after Sound of Music Live! Adults downgraded the special and so did some teens.

Lucky for me, I have the height and mind of a child. 

I loved it. I was amazed with what they were able to do with it and it brought me back to my childhood. You bet that when Tinkerbell was dying, 17 year old Nathan was clapping my hands and yelling "COME ON TINK! YOU CAN DO IT!" and it reminded me of small child me: shouting the same thing and possibly crying when Tinkerbell would sacrifice herself for Peter. 

Why does any of this matter?

We need to market to the children. I know that sounds odd and terrible, but it's true. (Now I'll go back to Disney)
I didn't care about the "issues" with The Little Mermaid Musical. When I was 10, I saw my favorite Disney film enacted onstage. To this day, it boggles my mind how they managed to do everything. However, it lasted one and half years and it was called a flop. Newsies ran 2 years and called a success. Disney must have forgotten the word "financial" somewhere in there.

We need to start thinking about the future of the world. If we can make a small child think that Ariel is swimming under the sea, 2 girls with different families are conjoined twins, Peter Pan can fly, or even that Lions are onstage, it is a success. That means that we, as thespians, have done our job. We created a memory for that child. We helped them grow as a person. We made them laugh/ cry/ yell at the sky. We created a world for that child. THAT is what's magical.

Yes, Frozen is coming to Broadway. Yes, Quasimodo and Esmeralda are as well. Before you shut down an idea, ask your child what they want to do. Chances are, if it is real for them, that's all that matters in life.

-Nathan Clift, 17
Trumbull High School
President of the Youth Board

How to Survive Your First Semester in a Musical Theatre Program

So, you're thinking about auditioning for a musical theatre program. That's a huge process, and you'll need as much help as you can. But there's already a post about that. But let's say you've already chosen a great program, and you're starting your studies in the fall. Well, as a freshman Musical Theatre major at Rider University, I've learned some great tips on how to survive your first semester. My first semester was absolutely incredible, and if you follow this advice, I promise yours will be too. 

1. Time management is key. 

I'm sure you've heard this a million time, but it's essential that you manage your time wisely. There are so many amazing opportunities in a strong fine and performing arts program: shows, acapella groups, cabarets and tons of other things. So pick and choose wisely, because your schoolwork can suffer if you jump in to everything right away. 

2. Schoolwork still matters. 

I'm sure this is the last thing you want to hear, after killing yourself in AP classes trust to get into the program. But grades don't stop there. Unless you're studying at a conservatory, you will still have academic requirements to graduate, on top of your acting and dance classes. Usually, you have to keep your GPA up just to stay in the program. Studying musical theatre is a ton of fun, but you have to make schoolwork a priority as well. 

3. Sleep!

In college, you're going to have some of the best times of your life. But in order to have fun, and then wake up in time for your 8 am ballet class, you have to get sleep. I've spent many nights singing until 3, and I paid for it in the morning. There will always be time to enjoy college to the fullest, but please, just go to sleep. 

4. Party hard, Party smart. 

Remember how I said to get some sleep? Well, not all the time. There will be plenty of opportunities to make friends and let loose from the strenuous week of ballet, voice lessons and *gasp* math. So when you get an invite to an off-campus party, you'll probably jump at the chance. You'll arrive at some upperclassmen's house at 10:15, and they'll immediately offer you alcohol. Here's the thing: I'm not gonna be your dad. I know you're going to experiment, and you'll feel like your invincible, or at least until the next morning. But you have to remember, your body is your instrument, and you have to keep it in top shape on a daily basis. It's up to you to decide what you can handle, so make the right decisions. 

5. Enjoy yourself!

You have the incredible privilege of studying your dream in college. Take full advantage of it! Branch out and meet everyone in your program, especially the upperclassmen. They are the ones that will support you and help you through rough times. Also, get to know your faculty. Not only will they be the ones casting your shows, but they can be great support as well. Finally, get involved. You'll have the best experiences by trying new things or joining different groups. You don't just have to stick to theatre either. Branching outside of your major will keep you grounded in real life. 

But your there to study musical theatre, and to have the greatest time of your life. Never lose sight of your dreams; they will guarantee success and happiness. 

-Matt Sweeney, 18

Rider University

Former President, NPT Youth Board (2012-2014)

What To Do When You Are Applying For Musical Theatre Programs In College

One day, I was with my voice instructor, and he was helping me film my audition tape for one of the colleges I am applying to. We finish my two songs, one monologue, and in the middle of filming take 8 of my second monologue, my video camera dies. Did I do the smart thing and bring the charger? Nah.

Needless to say, I couldn't finish filming the second monologue or the dance portion.

So, my audition tape is due in 24 hours, and I have 1/2 of it done. That is not the point of this post.

Don't do my mistakes. Here are a few tips on how to not fall into the pit I or other hopefuls have and how to feel ready when you are filming:

1. MEMORIZE: Do not choose your songs/ monologues/ dance style the day before you film. You might be the most trained actor in the world and can memorize a play within an hour, and you would think that you can memorize a Shakespearean monologue like it is nobody's business. Please don't. You will mess up and be forced into improvising. They will know that you weren't ready. Don't do that.
2. BRING EXTRA BATTERIES/ CHARGER: As told in my story, another source of battery life will ensure that all portions of your video can be done in that day and not done at the last minute. College applicant's honor. 
3. SHEET PROTECTORS ARE AN ACTOR'S BEST FRIEND: The pianist cannot worry about flipping pages. Their priority is making sure YOU have a piano line being played. Sheet protectors allow for easy page turning. Non-glare will get you bonus points (maybe. That is not a guarantee, so do not take my word for it). Adding on, PLEASE make sure it is in the right key. Hasn't happened to me, but it has happened to people I know.
4. DON'T BE OVER CONFIDENT: If you are practicing your face when you get that letter saying "You've been accepted to the ___________ BA/ BFA Musical Theatre Program!", just stop. Musical Theatre is one of the most competitive majors out there. There is no guarantee that you will make it into the program. Ithaca College has one of the most intense programs (I think only 2% of all applicants to the musical theatre program make it). I have been practicing for months and I am still unsure if an audition will be extended to me from ANY school. Please, you may be great, but college is for growth. Don't think you're all that and an EGOT at 17 years old. You're not that good yet.
5. DON'T BE FAKE: I have been a director and I am also producing a show now. I HATE IT when people try to play a character they are not. The best monologues/ songs are when I see the truth of the performer. NEVER try to duplicate a professionals work (I swear, if I hear one more girl trying to be Barbara Streisand singing "Don't Rain On My Parade" I might lose it). How do you connect to it? How does Bob relate to this song? How does he sing it differently than Joe does? What is their message, instead of what the show is trying to say? I can tell you right now that I have sung songs and performed monologues without looking at the text prior to learning it. After I memorize and rehearse something, I look at other productions and see how they saw the piece. I never try to be someone else. I am the only me, and why should I be a copy when I might have a great idea of the piece?
6. LASTLY... DON'T COMPLAIN ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Oh god, PLEASE don't! I have been in shows, and people began to flip out because one of their friends didn't get cast as a lead and an underclassmen has. That's gonna be YOUR life! One day, you will be up against someone who is just as good as you, but can play it better than you can. It is the director's job to do what is best for the show. It is NOT his or her job to make you feel better about yourself by playing seniority. FUN FACT: I have not gotten one lead. I have been a major supporting character before, but never a lead. Freshmen and sophomores have gotten leads over me while I was in the ensemble. Have I complained? No. I was happy I was in the show! If you are doing theatre to get leads, then you aren't in it for the right reasons.
   
   Same thing goes for colleges. Don't complain that you didn't get into a program. Karma has a funny way of getting back at you. Maybe other colleges will see you ranting on your Facebook and decide that they do not want you at their school. Maybe a casting director background checks you and sees that you bad-mouthed a sophomore that worked her butt off to get a lead while you expected to get one just because (I was in a show once where that happened). I wouldn't want to hire that person.
   
   The internet is forever, you know.

So before you complain about how life isn't fair on Twitter or Facebook, think about all those people that have gotten cut from shows or thrown into the ensemble because they weren't lead material. It took those people YEARS to just make a Broadway musical. It isn't an overnight sensation gig.

Some magazines and websites offer tips on how to ace your audition or how to get over not getting cast. Backstage is both a Facebook page/ website/ magazine that offers tips/ hints/ audition info. Broadway.com and Playbill will also have similar information.

Break legs everyone!

-Nathan Clift, 17, Trumbull HS

President of the NPT Youth Board

Brand New 'Television Event Of The Season' PETER PAN LIVE! Promo

(Source: http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Brand-New-Television-Event-Of-The-Year-PETER-PAN-LIVE-Promo-20141116?PageSpeed=noscript)

A splashy new promo for PETER PAN LIVE!

NBC's eagerly awaited live telecast of the cherished Golden Age musical PETER PAN is less than a month away and a flashy, brand new "Television Event Of The Season" promo is now available to view, featuring Allison Williams and Christopher Walken in costume, in action, singing and dancing up a storm.

The official description of NBC's PETER PAN LIVE! is as follows: "Preparing to sprinkle fairy dust across America, NBC presents a bold new LIVE television version of the classic Broadway musical that will gather friends, families and anyone who refuses to ever grow up. Following in the footsteps of the phenomenally successful THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE! - which drew over 18 million viewers - comes this musical masterpiece that tells the beloved story of Peter Pan, the mischievous little boy who ran away to Neverland. Get ready for show-stopping stars, stunning costumes, extravagant sets and delightful music that will have everyone in your home singing along. From Executive Producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron comes a soaring LIVE three-hour holiday event guaranteed to take viewers on a magical and musical journey to the second star to the right."

PETER PAN LIVE! is set to air on NBC on December 4.

More information on Peter Pan Live! is available at the official site here.

View the new "Television Event Of The Season" PETER PAN LIVE! promotional spot below. (email viewers click here)

Are You With the Devil? THS presents The Crucible

"The town's been mumbling witchcraft..."
Trumbull High School has put on numerous shows of all shapes and sizes. From the kid friendly Seussical the Musical to the controversial and edgy RENT, the students are always involved in either the cast or crew. However, there is a time in the fall where students can stand in the spotlight in directing, producing, lighting design, set design, etc. That is the THS annual fall play. In the past two years, we have performed ALMOST, MAINE (one of the most produced high school plays) and premiered the play GAME NIGHT, but this year took a dark turn. The 2014 fall play is...
THE CRUCIBLE by Arthur Miller 

The FB event is here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1563890863823908/?sid_reminder=1947465676700516352
"Based on historical people and real events, this drama is a searing portrait of a community engulfed by hysteria. In the rigid theocracy of Salem, rumors that women are practicing witchcraft spark the town's worst fears and suspicions; and when a young, unstable girl accuses Elizabeth Proctor of being a witch, self-righteous church leaders and townspeople insist that Elizabeth be brought to trial."

November 14th and 15th at 8pm at Trumbull High School. Tickets are $5 and sold only at the door.

The Production staff is as follows:
Director: Matt Buckwald 
Assistant Director/Dramaturg: Lauren Chase 
Stage Manager: Rachel Tropp 
Prop Masters: Beth Bolton and Lahari Kota 
Costume Design: Amanda Lee 
Sound Design: Nick Lozinak
Lighting Design: Jess Rende
Set Design: Jess Rende and Cammy Kimball

The Cast:
John Proctor- Dylan Shepard
Elizabeth Proctor- Katherine Griffin (who is on our Youth Board)
Abigail Williams- Maeve Hegley
Mary Warren- Helen Samoskevich
Betty Parris- Taylor Berlin
Tituba- Madie Davids
Reverend Parris- Jack Leonard
Reverend Hale- Michael Lepore
Deputy Governor Danforth- Colin McLevy
Judge Hawthorne- R.J. Hawkins
Giles Corey- Jason Keane
Thomas Putnam- Andrew Scott
Ann Putnam- Emily Ramsey
Mercy Lewis- Victoria Carter
Rebecca Nurse- Tina DeLucia
Susanna Walcott- Martha Hegley
Sarah Good- Lindsey McMorris
Francis Nurse- Armand Perez
Hopkins- Juliana Verrelli
Ezekiel Cheever- Kyle Marlin
Willard Hemok- Jordan Buckman
Martha Corey- Franchesca Almonte
Townsperson- Sofia Santos

The trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAKLo8D2e80

-Nathan Clift, 17
President of the Youth Board

Are you ready to head "Into the Woods"?

Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine created a Tony Award winning musical in 1987 called INTO THE WOODS. This musical stole the Best Score and Best Book of a Musical Tony Awards from the Phantom of the Opera. After 27 years, the musical gets a big screen treatment. The trailer is below (email viewers click here)

Now, I know what your thinking: Disney will do whatever they want to in order to keep their cookie-cutter image. I am proud to tell you that is not the case. Sondheim, Lapine, and director Rob Marshall have done everything in their power to keep the movie as true as the original show. That does include: the innuendos during "Hello Little Girl", all of "Any Moment", and etc. The movie is also said to have surreal elements and an extremely dark feel. 

A change I like is that "On the Steps of the Palace" takes place as Cinderella is leaving the ball. Lyrics are changed, but it's gonna be cool. Of course, I will pass no judgments until I actually see this movie (which releases in 2 months).

The movie is released on Christmas Day. I know I'll be seeing it... will you?

The screenplay is by James Lapine (Libbretist of INTO THE WOODS, PASSION, FALSETTOS), Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondhiem (Composer of INTO THE WOODS, SWEENEY TODD, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC), and directed by Rob Marshall (also director of CHICAGO). The cast includes (but not limited to) Meryl Streep as The Witch, Anna Kendrick as Cinderella, Emily Blunt as The Baker's Wife, James Corrdin as The Baker, Chris Pine as Cinderella's Prince, Lilla Crawford as Little Red Riding Hood and Johnny Depp as The Wolf.  

-Nathan Clift, 17, Trumbull High School

President of the NPT Youth Board

Calling all Auditioners! Last Callfor "So Ya Wanna Be A Broadway Star"

Five days until SO YA WANNA BE A BROADWAY STAR Audition Event!!!

We have tons of great singers from ages 8-adult, from Greenwich to Hartford prepping their voices and getting into “audition-mode”.

 

See the clip of our short interview on Channel 12 here! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs37yEch0U0&feature=youtu.be

 

Entertainment and Broadway pros (five judges) will hear them and give the singers constructive feedback to help them with their college, high school, theatre, and yes, Broadway auditions and YOU can watch and learn in the audience!

 

“What a great thing this was for the participants in that they were getting advice on how to improve themselves”, said a father of one of the contestants last year who sat in the audience and learned along with everyone else.

 

The singing begins at 4:30pm with judges listed on our event page:http://www.nptheatre.org/nptevents/broadwaystar-2/

 

The audience may watch the entire process!  “Usually we only get ‘thank you’ after and audition and our moms and dads don’t get to watch at all” –Kelsey, former participant.  Audience members pay only $15 (cash or checks) at the door.

 

Prizes this year include a chance for the winners to be featured in a concert the following night for Bridgeport Rescue Mission (at St. Anthony's) with NPT’s Broadway stars as well being featured in the Holiday show at The Fairfield Theatre Company.

Also included are professional photography sessions, style consultations, show-business coaching, and massage sessions!   NPT is always keeping its eye out for talent for our many other events as well!

 

A panel discussion by our Pro judges will follow the audition for all participants and audience members. 

There are only a few more spots for contestants so please preregister now at our event page so you don't miss out! 

 

This event is part of NPT’s (a non profit 501c3) mentoring mission.  www.nptheatre.org

RENT Thrives at Curtain Call

On October 11th, my family and I got tickets to see Curtain Call's production Jonathan Larson's RENT. The show had a five weekend run and was sold out a majority of the shows, closing night included. The original Broadway musical ran for 12 years on Broadway, but after having an Off-Broadway run and a run at NYMF in 1994 (20 years ago). I'll include some of the Curtain Call Executive Director's Welcome Letter, for it basically said every reason why I love this musical:
"And today, eight years after this landmark musical finished its original run, the topics are still controversial; the language is still a bit blue; and the message is still so important: that in the midst of difficult circumstance, you can choose love, you can choose life, you can embrace the community, you can choose kindness."

Poster from the Broadway Run of RENT

At Curtain Call, the principal cast was:
Ben McCormack as Roger Davis
Richard Cummings as Mark Cohen
Nic Anthony Calabro as Tom Collins
Kevin Thompson as Benjamin Coffin III
Saige Bryan as Joanne Jefferson
Rachel Schulte as Maureen Johnson
Demerre Files as Angel Dumott Shunard

The production was directed and choreographed by Debra Lee Failla and musical directed by Peter Randazzo.

This production was not your average production. Their set was very different from many productions, though it had a similar essence. The blocking was unique, and the choreography was all original. In some ways, it worked. In other ways, it didn't. Something I enjoyed was "Over the Moon". Maureen (singing lead) had 4 back up singers, each with props and photos to help move the story (video of RENT: Live on Broadway's "Over the Moon is Here, if you cannot view it by email)

I also liked how they included everyone in the choreography for "Santa Fe", when traditionally it would be 4 or 5 dancers. I also loved the various Mimi and Benny interjections throughout Act 1. Contrasting, Mimi and Roger's chemistry was on point. Adding on, I loved how natural the blocking seemed to be.

Onto something I didn't like... the opening.

Traditionally, you would have the ensemble come out onto the stage before Mark begins the show. This production didn't. Instead, the director just had Mark walk on and begin the show. It was a unique choice, but I lost the feel of "okay, here we go". It just gave off an odd feel.

Angel and Collins, as well as Maureen and Joanne, could have had better chemistry.

The show itself was (overall) great. The message was the same, and I got goosebumps in spots where I never got them before. I laughed, I got sad, I had a great time.

If you have a chance to see RENT anywhere, or even another show at Curtain Call, do it. You won't regret it.

"Thank you Jonathan Larson!"- that guy after the first performance of RENT on Broadway (which I yelled during bows of Curtain Call's production)
-Nathan Clift, 17, Trumbull High School
President of the Youth Board