Trumbull Youth Association Presents... THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE is a musical comedy that premiered on Broadway in 2002 and starred Sutton Foster in the title role. It was based of the hit 1968 movie musical starring Julie Andrews as Millie. It takes place in 1922, the time of great achievement in industry, economy and the rise of prohibition  in the United States. If you are not familiar with the show, it centers around a girl named Millie Dillmount who wants to find herself and become a modern in New York City. She encounters a man named Jimmy, who she becomes great friends with and possibly even begins to imagine spending her life with him. She befriends an orphan, Miss Dorothy, who is being hunted by the cunning Mrs. Meers. The minor plots involve: White Slavery, Prohibition, and a Love Triangle SOOO big, it turns into a love nonagon.

(Left to Right)
Morgan Fried as Miss Dorothy
Annie Stachura as Millie
Matt Johnson as Jimmy

TYA decided that Broadway performer Brett Boles would be the director of the 44th TYA Summer Production. The musical director is David Harris and the show is choreographed by Lisa Minelli.

Annie Stachura and the cast of Thoroughly Modern Millie

The cast is led by Annie Statchura, an incoming junior at Trumbull High School, as the title role of Millie. Matthew Johnson, who was nominated for his performance of Bobby Child in THS's Crazy for You at CHSMTA, stars as Jimmy Smith. Others in the cast include:
Morgan Fried as Miss Dorothy
Kevin Durkee as Trevor Graydon
Dan Satter as Bun Foo
Nathan Clift (me) as Ching Ho
Emily Beers as Mrs. Meers
Kaylin Weller as Muzzy Van Hossmere
Laura Portera as Ms. Flannery  

There is a large and talented ensemble that makes up many comedic characters and help tell the story. Within the ensemble are girls of the Priscilla Hotel, the Muzzy's Boys, Famous guests at Muzzy's party (such as the Gershwins) and many others.

The Priscilla Girls
Photo Credit: Zaineb Haroon

This show is a big ball of fun. The costumes, choreography, singing, blocking and everything is just what you want in a wonderful show. The show will play at Trumbull High School in Trumbull, CT from August 1-4th, 2013. Tickets are available at www.trumbullyouth.org

Don't miss out on this blast from the past!
~Nathan Clift, 16, Trumbull High School
VP of the Youth Board

FREE TICKETS TO AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS

Who wants free tickets to a broadway show?

A better question would be: who doesn't?

Each Sunday, Producer Ken Davenport holds a "Sunday Giveaway" on his blog: The Producer's Perspective. This week: Tickets to AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS.

Now... how do you get these tickets? 

1. Here is the link: http://www.theproducersperspective.com/my_weblog/2013/07/the-sunday-giveaway-everyone-is-a-winner-free-tickets-to-around-the-world-in-80-days.html

Print out that blog and bring it to The New Theater at 354 West 45th Street. It will be good for same-day performances. The Box Office opens Tue – Sun at 12pm. (First come, first served. Only one free ticket per person.)

If you value certainty, you can reserve your tickets at:

2) BroadwayOffers.com

3) Call 212-947-8844 and use the code “FREEDOM”

A NOTE FROM THE BLOG ITSELF: 

"From the Producer of Around The World:  To reduce the number of no-shows, an online reservation will require a deposit of $20 plus a convenience fee of $6 and a handling charge of $2.25 for Telecharge web and phone orders. Upon picking up your ticket at Will Call, you will receive a Crisp, Shiny New $20 Bill as a gesture of thanks for your faith that my production will deliver what critics already know. (Yes, if you don’t show up, I keep the $20.)"

You can sing for Broadway Stars on July 17th... but how?

How do you become a Star on Broadway?

First, Stop at SoNO Plaza.

SoNo plaza, South Norwalk, CT, June 26, 2013:  

For anyone who has ever dreamed of being discovered and making it big on Broadway, Wednesday July 17 could be their lucky day.

It will not help those dreamers to wish upon a star (though it can’t hurt); what they need to do is get themselves to SoNo Plaza in South Norwalk, CT on July 17. That is where the New Paradigm Theatre Company will be hosting the "So ya wanna be a Broadway Star” competition.

The competition is being run in partnership with The Sono Concert Series.

Stand up and sing

The July 17^th competition will be an American Idol-style competition. Contestants are invited to sing any Broadway song of their choosing. A piano accompanist will be provided; contestants must bring their own sheet music. Judges will select who from among the contestants will have the opportunity of performing that night for the Sono audience.

The competition will be between 3-4 pm, and will be limited to the first 30 contestants who arrive at 3 pm. All the judges are Broadway performers from the New Paradigm Theatre and will provide all the contestants with helpful feedback and advice.

Three winning contestants will be invited to join the other Broadway performers to be part of that evening’s SoNo Concert Series “Disney Magic Broadway” concert, featuring Bret Shuford(Broadway: Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) and Kristin Huffman (Broadway: Company, Tours: Phantom, Miss OH and runner-up Miss America, Exec.Dir: New Paradigm Theatre) performing with the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra. The three winners will have the opportunity to be on stage and sing with the Broadway cast and “Youth Board” members of New Paradigm’s non profit professional theatre company.  

The open-air concert will start at 6 pm.

The competition rules and the required three forms can be downloaded from www.nptheatre.org or http://www.sonocorp.com/Charity%20Concerts/

Venue

SoNo Park is located at 50 Washington Street, in the historic waterfront area of South Norwalk. South Norwalk is easily accessible from I-95 with ample parking available.

Identity through Theater

The New Paradigm Theater Company is a non-profit community theater, run by Kristin Huffman as artistic director with the dedicated support of a team of theater professionals with Broadway backgrounds. The mission of the New Paradigm Theatre is to further the community’s cultural identity with professional theater.

In addition to the competition partnership with the SoNo Concert Series, NPT hosts “Sunday Spotlight”, a virtual master class featuring Broadway, TV, and Film stars who offer aspiring actors and performers advice and tips on advancing their career. “Sunday Spotlight” is currently on summer hiatus, but will resume in the Fall 2013. Information is available at the Sunday Spotlight page on Facebook, the NPT blog, or by email to emeraldtown@att.net .

For More Information

Sono concert series

http://www.sonocorp.com/page9/

http://www.facebook.com/sonoparkconcerts

Sono Corporate center

http://www.sonocorp.com

Directions

SoNo Plaza

New paradign theatre

http://www.nptheatre.org

Norwalk Symphony Orchestra

http://www.norwalksymphony.org

Sunday spotlight

www.facebook.com/NptYouthPresentsSundaySpotlight

Kristin Huffman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfn7IAZoYBI

http://www.nptheatre.org/people/kristin-huffman/

Attachments

SoNo Charity Concert Series flyer

SoNo Charity Concert Series Sponsorship information

Kristin Huffman photo (JPEG)

Bret Shuford photo (JPEG)

Competition forms

~The NPT Youth Board

The Connecticut High School Musical Theater Awards Gala Event, June 4th, 2013

What a night it was! Last night, June 4th, was the 5th Annual Connecticut High School Musical Theater Awards. Several Schools submitted applications and from then, nominations were chosen from those schools. The nominations were posted, and schools began to rehearse for one of the greatest nights of the year.

To describe the Award Ceremony, I can only put it like this: It is the high school equivalent to the Tony Awards. The Ceremony took place at the Waterbury Palace Theater.

Winner of Outstanding Featured Performer, Stamford High School's GUYS AND DOLLS, starring the Youth Board's Matt Sweeney

Each school that was nominated for Best Actor, Best Actress and/or Best Production performed a number from the show. The shows nominated for Outstanding Production were:

Little Women- St. Paul's Catholic High School
In the Heights-Immaculate High School
Sweeney Todd- Amity High School
Crazy for You- Trumbull High School
Les Miserables- Ridgefield High School
How to Succeed- Newtown High School

In addition to the nominations, 2 representitives from each school were asked to perform a special rendition of Seasons of Love in honor of Sandy Hook. The arrangement/ blocking was created by Trumbull High's Director Jessica Spillane and Musical Director Jerold Goldstien. It was a moment that moved everyone to tears.

2 representatives from each participating school sang Seasons of Love as a tribute to Sandy Hook

Winner of Ensemble Group (Follies Girls) and other awards, Trumbull High School's Crazy for You, starring the Youth Board's Nathan Clift

Here are the Winners for the Connecticut High School Musical Theater Awards 2013: 

OUTSTANDING HAIR & MAKE UP ACHIEVEMENT 

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD
Andrea Kennedy

OUTSTANDING COSTUMING ACHIEVEMENT 

Trumbull High School – CRAZY FOR YOU
Mary Joan Wright, Merial Cornell, Jeanette Davidson

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN ACHIEVEMENT 

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD
Dan Hassenmayer 

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN ACHIEVEMENT 

Immaculate High School – IN THE HEIGHTS
Joe Loya & Mary Raymond

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION 

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD
Robert & Andrea Kennedy

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY 

Trumbull High School – CRAZY FOR YOU
Frank & Abigail Root 

OUTSTANDING MUSIC DIRECTION 

Ridgefield High School – LES MISERABLES
Joyce Flanagan

OUTSTANDING ORCHESTRA 

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD

OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTRESS 

Jillian Caillouette, St. Paul Catholic – LITTLE WOMEN 

OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTOR 

Taylor Varga -Newtown High School – HOW TO SUCCEED


OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS 

Grace Carver , Valley Regional High School – BRIGADOON 
– MEG BROCKIE

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR 

Peter Charney , Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD – TOBY

OUTSTANDING CHORUS 

Valley Regional High School – BRIGADOON

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMER 

Bennett Leeds -Stamford High School – GUYS & DOLLS, NICELY-NICELY JOHNSON

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE GROUP 

Trumbull High School – CRAZY FOR YOU – Follies Girls

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR 

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD

OUTSTANDING LOBBY DISPLAY 

Amity Regional High School – SWEENEY TODD
Cheri Charney & Tom Lawler

OUTSTANDING GRAPHIC DESIGN 

Westhill High School 

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT Awards

Trumbull High School – CRAZY FOR YOU
Greg St. Germain – Student Lighting Design

Waterbury Arts Magnet School – IN THE HEIGHTS
Claire Gaudette - PSM

Ridgefield High School – LES MISERABLES
Catherine Heller – Scenic Artist

Valley Regional High School – BRIGADOON
Benedict Stephens – Student Percussion

Newtown High School – HOW TO SUCCEED
Sean Watkins – Stage Manager

ACHIEVEMENT IN ARTS EDUCATION AWARDS

Plainfield High School – WILLY WONKA
Brian Stevenson & Kevin Mariano

Winner of Ourstanding Production and many others, Amity High School's Sweeney Todd, starring the Youth Board's Kevin Durkee

The Winners of the Leading Actor and Actress Awards (Highlighted in Yellow) will represent CT in the National High School Musical Theater Awards in New York City. 

Overall, it was an amazing time. I was so glad I was able to see all the amazingly talented high schools around CT! Just by going onstage, you all are winners. 

Congrats to the nominees and the winners! Continue your talents! Continue to give back your gift!

~Nathan Clift, 16, Trumbull High School

VP of the NPT Youth Board

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to go see Les Mis at Wilton High School. Two friends of mine, who are high school sophomores (Caitlin Witty and Gabby Pucci), played the roles of Eponine and Cosette. All 60 cast members were extremely talented and had their moment to shine. From costumes, set design and talent this performance was a success!

Les Mis is a musical based off of the novel written by the French poet and playwright, Victor Hugo. Set in France in the early 19th century, Les Mis follows the story of many characters and their struggle for redemption and revolution. The cast is made up of prostitutes, student revolutionaries, factory workers, etc.

14 year old Sam Patterson says "Wilton's production of Les Mis was very professional for a high school show. There was a lot of young talent and potential and this was shown through the wonderful casting and choreography". Les Mis was certainly entertaining. The students were great and they did a wonderful job in portraying their roles. They sounded like professinals and looked like them too! It was so good, I saw it twice!

 

-Shay LaRusso, Shelby Vetare

Ages 15 and 17

Norwalk High School

 

 

Pictured: Caitlin Witty (Eponine) and Stephen Jones (Marius)

Movie Review: "42 - The True Story of an American Legend"

Last Saturday, a few friends and I had the pleasure of seeing the brand new movie 42. I was a bit skeptical at first, assuming that it would be a rather long and boring documentary-type of film, but after about 10 minutes in I realized that my assumptions were very wrong. 42 had an excellent and entertaining story to it, full of both humor and struggle, and all the while staying true to the actual events that happened to Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in Major League Baseball. Based on my prior knowledge about the story of Jackie Robinson, I could tell that this movie was very realistic, and I also learned a lot about his life that I didn't know before. Although it was sad at times, the majority of the movie managed to be light and humorous. I also really enjoyed the fact that the director, Brian Helgeland, really embraced the spirit of the 1940's and made it seem as if the movie was actually taking place in that time period. I also applaud all of the actors, especially those who played Jackie (Chadwick Boseman) and his wife, Rachel (Nicole Beharie). I was surprised that they could find so many good actors who were also talented at baseball! The only negative critiques I could provide are that the length of the movie, being over two hours long, was a bit extensive, and the fact that it was a bit old fashioned and very sports-involved made it appealing to only select crowds. Overall, I thought the movie was great and I would definitely recommend it to everyone that I know!

- Shaina Arsenault, 15 years old

Joseph A. Foran High School

UMich SMTD presents Crazy For You

I spent my April vacation on a crazy road trip of college tours galore. My final visit was to the University of Michigan, which has a fantastic and very well-known musical theatre program. The original plan was to drive home that night. Instead, we got to see the programs production of Crazy For You at the Power Center. I knew the show was based on the music of George and Ira Gershwin, but that was about all I knew. So it was great to come into the theatre with an open mind. I was completely blown away by the talent among the cast. The singing was top-notch, the dancing was incredible, and the acting, of course, was mesmerizing.The sound from the orchestra pit was amazing and so professional sounding. The quality of the production was even more impressive, knowing that the sets, costumes, lights and sound were all made and run by students. It was a Broadway-quality show. I had the privilege of getting to know the two stars of the show, L'ogan J'ones (who played Bobby Child) and Mary Little (who played Polly Baker). They were so humble and excited that I came to see their show. When I expressed interest in the program, they were more than happy to answer my questions, and told me that I "better audition in the fall, or we'll be mad." College applications are still a few months away, but there's no doubt in my mind what my first choice will be!
-Matt Sweeney, 16, Stamford High School, President of the NPT Youth Board

Sunday Spotlight 5/5/2013 with Gwendolyn Jones

Hope you all took something away from last Sunday Spotlight. Believe us in the NPT Youth Board: We sure did!

This week, The Sunday Spotlight will be on... GWENDOLYN JONES!

Gwendolyn (left) as Mrs. Hannigan

The Sisters of the Nunsense Boulevard National Tour

Take this journey, whether it is your first Spotlight or your fifth, or whatever, you will enjoy Gwendolyn. She has not only been in the National Tour of NUNSENSE BOULEVARD, but she has also played the roles of: Mrs. Hannigan in ANNIE, Mrs. Claus at Radio City Music Hall, and Matron Mamma Morton in CHICAGO.
To register for this, once again, wonderful opportunity, please sign up at the link below.
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3298831001957114368

Gwendolyn is a lovely woman and I know she will give very insightful information. You will not regret tuning in at 8pm.

~NPT Youth Board

Broadway Review: Jersey Boys

Friday, April 26th, 2013, I went to go see the Broadway musical Jersey Boys. It completely deserved the Tony Award for Best Musical. The Arrangements, Choreography, Sets, Costumes, and the book were only parts of this masterpiece. What else do you need? An amazing cast with 4 strong leading men to play the 4 Seasons. In the current cast, the 4 Seasons where: Andy Karl as Tommy DeVito, Nathan Schmidt as Nick Massi, Drew Gehling as Bob Gaudio, and John Lloyd Young as Frankie Valli.

The show takes us through the evolution of the 4 Seasons, from them singing under a lamp post in New Jersey to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. The last time I listened to the soundtrack, I got unrealistic chills. When I saw the stage production, I got even more unrealistic chills. It is one of the finest shows Broadway has ever produced. One of the coolest things in the show was when they divided the acts into seasons. Spring and Summer was in Act 1, with Fall and Winter in Act 2. Each of the characters of the original Four Seasons narrated each season. Tommy was Spring, Bob was Summer, Nick was Fall and Frankie was Winter.

So much work had to be put into this show. The research was the greatest aspect. The costumes had to be exact, the voices had to be almost exact, the choreography had to be the same. The show amazed not only me, but many others. "I didn't think I was going to like it," Julia Ilea, a junior in high school, said after the show, "but the show was perfectly executed and I just fell in love with it."

Jersey Boys is playing in the August Wilson Theatre in New York City. I highly recommend it.
~Nathan Clift, 15, Trumbull High School, Vice President of the NPT Youth Board

How to Stay Healthy During Shows is in this week's Sunday Spotlight with Renee Laweless, Reed Prescott, Jenn Trepeck

Admit it: We all get the "play-gue" once in a while. Doesn't matter what show you are in, you are fine during all rehearsals, and then Hell Week pops up. That cold you had since January? It activates the night before you have to open the show. It is even worse when you are in high school shows, because you have to be in school the day of a show in order to go on.

Doesn't that get annoying after a while? Getting sick on Opening Night? Isn't there some way to prevent the "play-gue" from spreading? Look no further! This Sunday Spotlight is dedicated to staying healthy during shows.

Renee Lawless

Renee Lawless (The Haves and Have Nots), Reed Prescott (Balance, Sabrina the Teenage Witch) and Jennifer Trepeck (owner of Better Life Now) are here to help. They will give you tips on how to fight off illnesses and stay in the best possible condition for the show.

Reed Prescott

Jennifer Trepeck

To tune into this insightful Sunday Spotlight, one you DON'T want to miss, register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5699974181209633280

~NPT Youth Board

Have you ever grown anything in the garden of your mind?

Over the past few weeks, I have been attending the MAC (Musical Arts Confrence) Competitons for high school percussion groups around Connecticut. The schools take their winter percussion groups to these competitions to perform in different catagories based on size and difficulty.
Recently, I have had the amazing oppertunity to join in and be a dancer in my high school's (Norwalk High School) winter percussion show and have been competing in the competitions for four weeks now. I play the role of a girl who grows ideas in the "garden of her mind." While the drummers are playing and moving around on the floor, I get to dance around and through them to portray the idea that I have created them. I absolutely LOVE being in the show and getting an inside look to how percussion groups rather than a cast of a musical or a dance team work together.
On April 13th, we are having the MAC Championships at Shelton High School, and a week later, on April 17th we are traveling to Dayton, Ohio for WGI finals. I am beyond excited! Come out and support next week at Shelton High!

Shelby Vetare, age 17, Norwalk High School.

Pictured (Left to right): Shelby Vetare (me), Taijon Ragin, Danny Porelli, Avery Collins, and Tommy Eckert.

Sunday Spotlight 4/7/13: Randy Graff

It has been 2 weeks since our last Sunday Spotlight. Seems forever though, right?
There is going to be a new Sunday Spotlight every other week. This Sunday, April 7th, the Sunday Spotlight will be on Randy Graff.

Randy Graff as Fantine in Les Miserables on Broadway in 1987

Randy Graff is well known throughout theatre and film and screen. You may remember Randy Graff as Broadway's original Fantine in the Original Broadway Production of Les Miserables in 1987. She has also starred in City of Angels in 1989, where she won a Tony Award. She also recently starred in the 2004 revival of Fiddler on the Roof. Other Broadway credits include: A Class Act (2001, where she received a second Tony Award nomination), High Society (1998), Moon Over Buffalo (1995), and Laughter on the 23rd Floor (1993)

Randy's Off-Broadway Credits include: A... My Name Is Alice (1983-1984), Hotel Suite (2000 as Millie),  Sophie in A Class Act (2000), and Kay Cram in Do Re Mi (1999).

Some of Randy's Regional Credits include (but not limited to): Hello Dolly (2007) as Dolly at The Muny in St. Louis, Missouri; A Little Night Music (2002) as Charlotte at the Kennedy Center of Performing Arts in Washington D.C.; Damn Yankees (2008) at The New York City Center.

Besides being on the stage, Randy Graff has been on TV and Movie sets. In 2005, she was in the movie version of the musical Rent (as Mark's mother: Mrs. Cohen) and starred in the film Keys to Tulsa in 1997. On TV, she has starred not once, but three times on the TV series Law and Order (1991, 2001, 2005). She also starred in: Working It Out, Bless this House, and many other shows.

Register for the Sunday Spotlight here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6276073193637748992

To those who donated to the Sunday Spotlight, thank you! We really appreciate it. Now, we had a Rockethub fundraiser, but that ended the other day. There will be more events and ways to donate to keep these Sunday Spotlights open and FREE. Any donation is acceptable, and planning for fundraising events are underway! Those who have attended previous Sunday Spotlights got so much from actors first hand. How often do you get to ask a Broadway Star a question? Let's "Seize the Day" (Newsies anyone?) and register today!
~NPT Youth Board