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Fame: The Musical by Youth Summerstock Theatre Through the years, Barry Bosworth's exceptional Youth Summerstock program has made Granite Hills High School often seem like New York City's High School for the Performing Arts. Such is the setting for Fame: The Musical, where we see the cast of aspiring artists deal with the pursuit of fame from their freshman year to graduation. That the Summerstock students were able to take this somewhat poor musical and garner a standing ovation speaks to their abilities. The stage version of Fame is greatly hampered by a rushed storyline as it tries to cram various subplots and four years into a two-hour musical. Making matters worse, the music is less than extraordinary. So how on earth did the cast create such enthusiasm in the audience? Through some great performances, of course! Carmen, the lead character whose pursuit of fame takes a tragic turn, is played alternately by Stacy Moore and Rebecca Hall-Jimenez. Rebecca plays the part with passion and charisma. Stacy, performing in her sixteenth and final show under the direction of Barry Bosworth, shines the brightest when it's darkest. Her final despair is palpable. The decisive moment at which she chooses to end her life is as apparent from her eyes as if she had simply held a gun to her head. On a much lighter note, Travis Heath gets the audience rolling with his rollicking Can't Keep 'Em Down, where he tries to describe to the class what sort of things have the power to move him emotionally. In the other great comedic scene of the show, Marla Worm is hysterical as she prays for the strength to eat without worries in Mabel's Prayer. Aimee Dotts and Brittany Zemlick shared the role of Serena, the hopeless romantic who only has eyes for fellow actor Nick (Josh Laubacher), but who she thinks is gay. With two solos, Think of Meryl Streep and Let's Play a Love Scene, Brittany sings with great sensitivity and Aimee with a clear and beautiful voice that will hopefully be heard much more often in the future. And an up-and-coming star appears to be Brandon Pohl, here in the role of Tyrone Jackson, a gifted dancer who is struggling with illiteracy, intensely played by Brandon. Challenging him on his reading was Alisa Williams who sang These Are My Children so impressively. Alisa is the choreographer for Youth Summerstock and is part of a group of Summerstock alums who returned to act as the teachers in Fame, including Anjanette Ruiz, Bryan Swarberg, and even Mr. "B" himself, Director Barry Bosworth. This was only the second time in thirty years that Mr. Bosworth has participated on the stage with his Summerstock students. The first time, back in the late 70s, he was so caught up in watching his students perform that he missed a cue to come on stage, exposing him to endless ribbing by his students! But tonight he was flawless, and it was a kick to see him on stage with the students that he has helped shape into the extraordinary performers that they are. Rob Hopper San Diego Playbill ~ Cast ~
Serena Katz: Brittany Zemlick Aimee Dotts Nick Piazza: Josh Laubacher Joe Vegas: Travis Heath Carmen Diaz: Stacy Moore Rebecca Hall-Jimenez Tyrone Jackson: Brandon Pohl Iris Kelly: Michelle Routhieaux Sarah Vincelett Mabel Washington: Marla Worm Schlomo Metzenbaum: Anthony Moreno Grace Lamb: Barbara Keeler Elizabeth Klueck Miss Sherman, English: Ms. Alisa Williams Miss Bell, Dance: Ms. Anjanette Ruiz Mr. Sheinkopf, Music: Mr. Barry Bosworth Mr. Meyers, Acting: Mr. Bryan Swarberg Autumn: Stephanie Asch Katelyn Bruggema Brock: Derek Maples Chantal: Vittoria Picone Darlene: Laura Evans Duane: Theo Adams Donny Bueno Forrest: Lewis Ingham Austin Floyd Galen: Keith Biondo Adam Raskind Hope: Alicia Biondo Jesse: Joshua Ammons Jason Araujo Kellen: Danny Lauridson Lena: Chrissy Schnurr Lisa Schnurr Marty: Eugene Oyarzun Jeff Lehton Michelle: Sierra Blair Kathryn Hoban Natasha: Katrina Shingledecker Heather Adams Robert: Josh Fox Sandie: Sylvia Knorr Amanda Maples Tanis: Gina Goodman Holly Adams Director: Barry Bosworth Choreographer: Alisa Williams Music Direction: Damien DiFede Costume Designer: Amy Skinner Assistant Director: Michelle Routhieaux Set Designer: Kendra Truett |