Harvesting the New Crop: "Aida"

Well Gossip Lovers,

I'm here to testify!

One of life’s true delights is watching young performers move from the kiddie to main stage show. What's not to love about a journey that starts with those squeaky to boisterous voices, frozen or overly animated visages - stares into the audience? Ahh how we audiences love that hum?

Last night I was lucky enough to catch a rehearsal of Seacoast Rep’s Mainstage Youth Production – “Aida.”

Initially I was a tad confused by the addition of a Coughing Chorus till I ascertained it wasn’t part of the act – 18 out of 22 performs were sick. Really sick!

Anyway.

Ill as they were there was nary a squeaky voice or frozen face among them. The majority of these young thespians are well beyond that stage; many now as capable as performers twice their age - the result of years performing "snowflake," "gypsy girl" and "toad boy."

This annual production – THE big, open-audition show for area youth - is definitely showcasing some of the community’s recognized best and recent breakthroughs.

And let me just say G Lovers, nowhere is it more evident then in a rehearsal of this kind that art is a craft to be studied and worked but also simply enjoyed. The talent was evident - AND they were clearly having a ball between sniffles.

The Seacoast has seen its fair share of youth performers go on to Broadway and national tours. This is just the sort of event that let’s you see who has the right stuff.

Who do you think is going the whole way from the latest harvest, hum? I’ve already marked my ballot : )

Off to wash my gloves.

Back soon
Gossip Lady



(P.S. catch a full profile of actor Andrew Bridges by that McCartin Woman, February 28 in the Portsmouth Herald Entertainment section).
Photos Top to Bottom, Left to right:
#1 L to R: Megan Little, Taylor Lintelman, Kimberly Burke
#2 Alana Thyng (standing) & Taylor Lintelman
#3 DJ Ingalls (standing) & Andrew Bridges
#4 Dominique Lessard, Devin Scott, Meghan Morash, Taylor Lintelman and Megan Little
#5 Megan Little & Alex Dorr