EDMT to Present 42nd Street
A Look at Rehearsal by Ken Kiunke
Staff Writer
Somewhere in an El Dorado Hills warehouse, some of the most talented young singers and dancers in El Dorado and Sacramento Counties are preparing to present a top notch version of the hit Broadway musical, 42nd Street. El Dorado Musical Theater is the youth theater company that regularly presents popular shows performed by young area talent. They present a variety of types of shows, including "Main Stage" productions, featuring large casts of young people from 6 to 20 years old, often with two entire casts. Everyone who auditions for these shows will make the cast, though key parts are given to the best performers. They recently presented a terrific "Beauty and The Beast" in the fall, as a Main Stage production. Courtesy Photo: Standing Left to Right, Carly Speno (Role of Peggy Sawyer) – Age 17, Matt Surges (Role of Julian Marsh) – Age 20, Katherine Sorgea (Role of Dorothy Brock) – Age 21.
The upcoming '42nd Street', however, is one of their once a year "Encore Productions", which means the entire cast had to pass the audition just to be in the show, so the talent level is at its highest, and they often have more adult appeal than the Main stage shows. There is a great deal of singing and dancing talent in this show, and those who passed the audition (ages 12 to 22) had to demonstrate that they were up to the challenge. Tap dancing may be thought of as an old fashioned art form, but the performers in the cast are bringing over 150 years combined experience, according to director Debbie Wilson. Photo by Ken Kiunke, Andrew Wilson as Billy Lawlor leads the dancers for "We're In The Money".
The musical '42nd street' was one of the first shows to start as a movie musical that was adapted to the stage. And even though familiar songs like I Only Have Eyes For You, We're In The Money, Lullaby Of Broadway, and the title song 42nd Street, by Harry Warren and Al Dubin, were not all in the 1933 film, they and many others were brought together for the original 1980 Broadway musical. The plot is reminiscent of many familiar stories – the impossible diva star is upstaged by the young ingénue who comes in as a nobody, but goes out a star! Phantom of the Opera, Singin' In the Rain, and even King Kong use this basic idea, but 42nd Street is the classic example. Photo by Ken Kiunke, Director and Choreographer Debbie Wilson coaches her dancers.
Fans of EDMT will see many talented and familiar faces in this show. Katherine Sorgea and Carly Speno, who both played Belle in the alternate casts of the recent Beauty and the Beast, play veteran star Dorothy Brock and bright-eyed ingénue Peggy Sawyer. Matt Surges, who has been in several EDMT produc-tions, plays director Julian Marsh, and Tap dancing star Billy Lawlor will be played by 15 year old EDMT veteran Andrew Wilson, who recently played Gaston in Beauty and the Beast. The cast is rounded out by 48 other talented singers, dancers and actors, many of whom are EDMT regulars. Photo by Ken Kiunke, Carly Speno as ingenue Peggy Sawyer hoping for her big break.
It is said that film is a director's medium, but stage is an actor's medium, because once the curtain and lights go up, it is all up to the actors to make the show succeed or fail. But direct-or and choreographer Debbie Wilson is working hard to make sure her performers are ready to shine, as they rehearse the show night after night in El Dorado Hills, so they will be ready to wow the crowds at the Three Stages Theater in Folsom. Photo by Ken Kiunke, Costumer Christine Martorana adjusts the traveling clothes for the cast as they head for Philly.
'42nd Street' performs at Three Stages at Folsom Lake College in Folsom from Feb 17 through March 4. For tickets and more information, visit www.edmt.info or go online to www.threestages.net; or call Three Stages Box Office at (916) 608-6888. Prices are $15 - $29. Special price of $14.50 for Thursday shows only. Group discounts are available at (916) 941-SING. The show is rated appropriate for all ages, (though there are a few "what the hells") although the music and story are probably best suited for an older audience. But some younger kids may be impressed by the tap dancing and big stage numbers as well. So come on and listen to the lullaby of Broadway...! Photo by Ken Kiunke, The gentlemen get into their white tails for a dance number.
About El Dorado Musical Theatre: EDMT is an award-winning, regional theater company based in El Dorado Hills, California featuring performers aged 6-20. EDMT was founded in 2001 and is a Non-Profit Organization. EDMT produces four major productions per year. Remaining productions this season include 42nd Street, Oklahoma!, and Honk!. Additionally, EDMT produces an annual training show for performers ages 5-9; no experience is required.
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