Singers produce theatrical review at Whidbey Children’s Theater

You might say they are singing for their supper.

Indeed, they are singing for the many suppers that translate to a life growing up on the stage and for which they would like to say “thanks.”

Students and alumni of the Whidbey Children’s Theater will present a theatrical medley entitled “This,” Aug. 14 to Aug. 17 at WCT.

The medley was created to thank patrons and community volunteers for their support of children’s theater and specifically for a generous gift that was recently given to WCT.

The production is entirely student-driven and showcases WCT’s current students and alumni singing their favorite show tunes.

The entire ensemble and production team is made up of local youths, both currently living on the island and those who are home for the summer from college, who began their love of theater pounding the boards at WCT.

The idea behind “This” is to bring old WCT veterans back to the familiar Martha Murphy Mainstage while spotlighting the talent of the up and coming generation of singers.

The idea came together when director Sean Hough and Elizabeth Grant approached WCT alums, Bridget Scott, Matt Bell, Kate Hodges and Natalie Groce about doing the show. They are the six singers who make up the production team.

Eventually they came up with a total cast of 16 dedicated students who agreed to rehearse their individual pieces almost entirely on their own and to meet every day for a few weeks to rehearse chorus numbers.

The additional cast members are Samantha O’Brochta, Jasmine O’Brochta, Carrie Walker, Cameron Gray, Max Cole-Takanikos, Evan Elwell, Mark Arand, Gabe Harshman, Julie McNeely and Hillary Mellish.

The show runs about 90 minutes with three acts and includes songs from past WCT shows, non-musical theater songs and tunes from shows the students hope to one day perform.

Among the reprises are songs from “Godspell,” “Quilters,” “Into the Woods,” “Songs for a New World,” “Les Miserables,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Damn Yankees” and “Cabaret.”

“This” takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, Friday, Aug. 15 and Sunday, Aug. 17. There is also a matinee performance at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16.

For tickets, call the theater at 221-8707.

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