REVIEW: CYT's "Great American Tall Tales" is a Great Tale with a Good Cast of Kids

"Great American Tall Tales" was written for Christian Youth Theater (CYT) by Adam and Courtney Walsh and it was written extremely well. The story is well conceived, the dialogue good and the catchy songs delightful in every way. I could see it being done on Broadway (with adults) to great success. Whether on the Great White Way or here in SW Washington it is a tale worth seeing.

Aimee Martin as Slue Foot Sue and Brandon Doak as Pecos Bill.

To be honest though I couldn't hear every word of the show. There weren't any problems with the wearable mics that were used, but there were problems when they weren't. That's going to be my biggest beef against the show, so I'm getting it out of the way. Several principles were not miced and I had to strain to hear them on occasion especially when contrasted with those that were miced with whom they were conversing. It was like this:

Person One: HEY, I'M TALKING TO YOU.
Person Two: You talking to me?

Get the picture? Don't, don't, don't do that to your audience. Everyone with lines or solos needs to be on EQUAL ground.

Aside from that the show was pretty good. It came off somewhere between a Disney Channel (The Suite Life of Zack and Cody or That's So Raven) or Nickelodeon (True Jackson or iCarly) kid's TV show and a VBS (Vacation Bible School) program. That is to say the acting is more kid friendly in a lowbrow kind of way than for adults and it's kids after all (some with and some without great talent) and parents like to see their kids in programs, regardless.

See, the thing is with CYT (and MPAA), though there are auditions, parents pay to have their kids in the show and, if they pay, their kid is pretty much in the show if they are needed, though some may be cut. Then the director casts the best of what he/she has been dealt in the leads and the rest go to the very large chorus. Which (like in this case) is a lot more girls than boys and so you have girls playing boys (like in this case). [An ideal cast for CYT, I'm told, is 65 children.]

However, the important thing to remember is that the kids are getting experience and they are being trained and are growing in the craft and, most of all, they find encouragement (there's nothing like enthusiastic applause).

The Great and the Tall

From left to right: Annie Christmas, Annie Oakley, Davy Crockett, Sally Ann
Thunder, Paul Bunyan, Slue Foot Sue, John Henry, Johnny Appleseed and
Pecos Bill in CYT's  "Great American Tall Tales."

And the performers in "Tall Tales" deserve the applause. Acting, in general, was good; no one was terrible and several were very good. All the chorus numbers were excellent. All of the the solos were at minimum bravely executed and mostly on key, though some slipped around a little and lacked a trained or well-practiced quality. However, a handful of the leads were really quite good.

Standout vocalists were Savannah Wetzler (Miss Peele), Maddie Hays (Johnny Appleseed) and Aimee Martin (Slue Foot Sue). All I Know, sung by Miss Wetzler, was my favorite of the show. The song had weight, a beautiful melody and was nicely delivered. Plant a Seed, sung by Miss Hays, was done well and had a good message. Abbi Decker (Darcy) also sang quite well (and she always looked like she was having fun).

Aimee Martin (Slue Foot Sue)

The big star of the show was veteran performer (this is her eleventh show with CYT) Aimee Martin. She was the best actress, had the best voice, the biggest smile, the most energy, and she snapped out the choreography like a pro.

Front row, left to right: Alice (Tori Jensen), Darcy (Abbi Decker) and
Travis (Tyler Lugenbeal).

Other standout actors were Emma Murgueitio (Sally Ann Thunder), Emily Warner (Annie Oakley), Brandon Doak (Pecos Bill) who sorta sounds like Larry the Cucumber when he sings (and I like that), Savannah Wetzler (Miss Peele), Madison Jooste (Sloane), Delainey Patterson (Ms. Stinson) and Tori Jensen (Alice). After Martin my other two faves were Jensen--a fun little bundle with a great spirit and lots of energy, and Patterson, who was so perfectly snippy and carried her part very well (I can't believe she's just thirteen).

The Telling of the Tale

The primary unit set was extremely well done--very nice. Some of the add-ins were troublesome to the crew, but the changes were generally quick. The lighting was adequate for the most part (a little dim at times for a musical, but the pallet was nice). The costumes were great. The show moved along at a good clip and stayed interesting.

The dance numbers were well conceived. The larger group choreography tended to be simpler while the smaller ensemble of leads had more difficult material. Kristi L. Foster served as choreographer and as director. The direction overall was good. At rare times, however, it seemed uninspired; mainly early in the show when there were uninteresting clumps, straight lines or semi-circles or throughout the production in crowd scenes (which are challenge for directors anyway).

And speaking of crowd/chorus scenes, it's hard to get a count from the program because of overlapping roles, but there were close to 40 performers--sometimes too many for the stage. But that's the nature of these kinds of shows; the more kids you can get in the show the more money you make off parents. (I know, I come off like a broken record.)

The "American" Way

Keep in mind that, like the American republic (of the people, by the people, for the people), this show was written of (about) kids, performed by kids and for kids, and you'll get what you expect (plus a little bit more). Children, and relatives and friends of the performers, will love the show. I enjoyed it, too.

Description: When a small group of kids sneak into a dusty museum exhibit during a field trip their adventure (and the exhibit) comes to life. They meet the beloved characters of American folklore and must save them from being forgotten by the next generation and being discarded by a messed-up curator.

Performances are at Fort Vancouver High School, now through Nov. 11. Saturday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 10 at 3 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 11 at 2 p.m.

Advanced purchase adult tickets are $12 (a little steep for this), youth, senior and group tickets are $9; family day tickets for November 3 are $9 in advance. All tickets are $2 more at the door. There are also school day performances as follows: Tuesday, November 6 at 9:30 and 11:45 a.m. Tickets for these performances start at $5.

For tickets go to www.cytvanport.org or call 360-­750-­8550 or email info@cytvanport.org.

By Gregory E. Zschomler

All photos provided by CYT as photography is not allowed.

AUDITION: Community Theater Production of "Footloose"

Vancouver's Christian Community Theater (the all-ages version of CYT) will hold auditions for their upcoming production of "Footloose" June 9 and 10.

Stage Adaptation by DEAN PITCHFORD and WALTER BOBBIE
Based on the Original Screenplay by Dean Pitchford
Music by TOM SNOW Lyrics by DEAN PITCHFORD
Additional Music by ERIC CARMEN, SAMMY HAGAR, KENNY LOGGINS, and JIM STEINMAN

ARTISTIC TEAM:


J. Scott Lapp - Direction & Musical Staging
Chelsea Nicole - Choreography
Kristi L. Foster - Vocal Direction
Jeffrey & Brooke Baker - Band Direction

Audition times and location are by appointment. For extensive information and audition requirements see the CYT website or email b.larson@cytvanport.org.

AUDITIONS:

General Auditions (location TBA) are Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10 by appointment only. Email b.larson@cytvanport.org to sign up for an audition time.

Seeking performers ages 14 and up. Seeking very strong, athletic dancers/singers to play high school students. Also seeking adults who are strong singers/actors to play various adult roles. Please prepare 32 bars of a pop or contemporary musical theater song that shows off vocal range and technical ability. We will not allow songs to be performed a cappella so please bring sheet music in your key or an instrumental CD (without background vocals). An accompanist will be provided.

If you are auditioning for a specific role, please be familiar with the songs from the show (Footloose - Original Broadway Cast), as you may be asked to sing a selection at auditions. Also, everyone auditioning for the teen roles should be prepared to dance. All auditioning MUST bring a current headshot and resume, stapled together. Auditions will be closed. For more information or to request an audition appointment, please email b.larson@cytvanport.org

If you are 13 and younger but wish to be considered for casting, please submit a current headshot and resume to b.larson@cytvanport.org by Friday, June 1st, 2012. Applicants in this age range will be seen by invitation only.

Callbacks are by invitation - Monday, June 11 and Wednesday June 13 6 - 10 p.m.

Invited Cast Read Thru will be Thursday, June 14.
Full Company rehearsals begin Saturday, June 16.

Mandatory Production Committee Meetings:
Saturday, June 16 10 a.m. - noon
Thursday, July 26 6 - 8 p.m.

The unique to CYT requirements: $50 fee per cast member. Each cast member (or family of cast members) must be represented by a volunteer to work on a Production. Committee and/or in a Crew role. Cast members may not serve in this capacity.

If you'd like to volunteer to work on a committee or crew, please email b.larson@cytvanport.org.

REHEARSALS:

First Church of God, 3300 NE 78th St., Vancouver
Thursdays, June 21 - August 2, from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturdays, June 16 - July 28, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

DRESS WEEK: August 4 - 9 at Washburn Performing Arts Center

PERFORMANCES at Washburn Performing Arts Center:
Friday (Opening Night) August 10 7 p.m.
Saturday August 11 7 p.m.
Sunday August 12 2 p.m.
Friday August 17 7 p.m.
Saturday August 18 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday (Closing Matinee) August 19 2 p.m.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:

REN McCORMACK
Male. Lead. Triple threat. A young rebel always getting into trouble, but at heart he is an energetic young man who is dealing with the pain of his father’s absence. He expresses this pain through his quirky sarcasm and by dancing. (Tenor, Heavy dance) Any age to play high school

REVEREND SHAW MOORE
Male. Lead. Must sing well. The most powerful figure in Beaumont, stern, strict, a solemn man with a booming voice who runs the town with an iron fist. He also has a tender side and is struggling with the loss of his son. (Baritone, traditional musical theater) Any age to play 30 to 50

ARIEL MOORE
Female. Lead. Preacher’s daughter; The perfect girl, beautiful, perky, energetic, strong-willed, sharp-tongued and aware of her flirtatious power. Her father’s worst nightmare. (Soprano/Belt, Dance) Any age to play high school

VI MOORE
Female. Supporting. Strong willed Preacher’s wife who holds the moral fiber of Beaumont in her upright stance. Ultimately responsible for holding the family together after it’s terrible loss (Soprano, traditional musical theater) Any age to play 30 to 50

RUSTY
Female. Character role. Ariel’s friend. A bit of a ditz but knows everything about everybody (Belt, Comedic, Dance) Any age to play high school

WILLARD HEWITT
Male. Character role. Simple country bumpkin with a warm heart and a big crush. Befriends Ren and shows him the rules of living in Beaumont (Tenor, Comedic, Dance) Any age to play high school

ETHEL McCORMACK
Female. Ren’s mother. Strong willed, outspoken single parent who would do anything for her son (Traditional musical theater) Any age to play 30 to 50

CHUCK CRANSTON
Male. Character role. A motorcycle-riding, foul-mouthed, leather-wearing, trailer park product who takes one look at Ren and realizes there’s only room for one bad boy in town. He is dating the one girl that Ren has a crush on, Ariel (Tenor, Dance) Any age to play high school

URLEEN
Female. Ariel’s friend. The smart one of the group. (Belt, Great with harmonies, Comedic, Dance) Any age to play high school

WENDY JO
Female. Ariel’s friend. Doesn’t say much but sure knows a lot about Beaumont and the town rules (Belt, Great with harmonies, Comedic, Dance) Any age to play high school

LYLE, TRAVIS
Male. Chuck’s friends. Various vocal parts. Any age to play high school

BICKLE, GARVIN, JETER
Male. Willard’s country friends. Various vocal parts. Any age to play high school

ENSEMBLE
Male and Female. High school students and adults in various supporting roles. Must be able to sing and move well in a group. Various vocal parts. Any age. Possible roles include:

• Lulu Warnicker - Ren's aunt
• Wes Warnicker - her husband
• Coach Roger Dunbar - the high school gym teacher
• Eleanor Dunbar - his wife
• A Cop
• Betty Blast - the owner of The Burger Blast
• Principal Harry Clark
• Cowboy Bob - the lead vocalist at the Bar-B-Que
• Cowboy Bob's Band
• Townspeople and High School Students

STAGE MANAGER INQUIRIES
Those interested in being considered for the Stage Manager position, should submit a letter of interest along with a résumé to b.larson@cytvanport.org by Friday, May 25th, 2012. Applicants must be able to attend all rehearsals and performances as well as be available for administrative support during the audition process. Applicants should be administrative, organized, collaborative, and good communicators. Letters of Interest and résumés should reflect these skills.

Source: cytvanport.org

Local CYT Stages “Enchanted Sleeping Beauty” and “Pridelands” in Vancouver and Camas, Wash.

CYT presents the musical “Enchanted Sleeping Beauty” at Fort Vancouver High School, 5700 E. 18^th St., Vancouver, Wash. from May 18-27, Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

The production tells the tale of Princess Briar Rose born to the king and queen of Never Nod. The witch Evilina, who lives with a giant spider, puts a sleeping curse on the babe and the kingdom. Sixteen years later, Prince Alexander comes to the rescue. Facing a wall of thorns, a false princess and the exalted Dark Knight, the prince awakens the princess and kingdom in this zany telling of the classic fairy tale suitable for all ages.

Advance adult tickets are $12, youth, senior and group tickets are $9. On the May 19 Family Day all tickets are $9. Tickets are an additional $2 at the door. For tickets visit www.cytvanport.org,  phone 360-750-8550 or email info@cytvanport.org

Inspired by “The Lion King,” CYT presents “Pridelands” a celebration of music, dance and harmony. It will play at the Washburn Performing Arts Center, 1201 39^th St. in Camas, Wash. from May 25-June 3.

The production incorporates African dance rhythms and colorful comedic characters in a heart-warming coming-of-age story that is also suitable for all ages.

Performances are Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturday, May 26 at 7 p.m., Saturday, June 2 at 3 and 7 p.m. and at 2 p.m. Sundays. Advance adult tickets are $12, $9 for youth, senior and group tickets. All seats for the Saturday, May 26 show are $9. Tickets are $2 more at the door. Tickets are available at www.cytvanport.org.

Two special school group performances will be presented at 9:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. on May 31. School groups, including home school groups, are encouraged to make reservations by calling 360-750-8550.