Centenary Stage Company's Young Performers Presents Summer Festival of Shows, 8/8 - 8/17

Every summer, Centenary Stage Company's Young Performers work tirelessly to perfect their dance moves, learn all of their lines, and get their vocal harmonies just right for the annual Summer Festival of Shows. These talented young thespians between the ages of 8 and 18 will fill the Little Theater with a variety of shows and musicals to entertain audiences of all ages August 8th-17th. The Young Performers Workshop (YPW) has been hailed as a "state treasure" by Peter Filichia of the Star Ledger and brings in youth from Morris, Warren, Hunterdon and Sussex counties [see below]. This summer, the festival will feature Tommy, Count to Ten, Here and Now, and The One Act Playhouse. Performances will be held in the Little Theatre on the campus of Centenary College at 400 Jefferson Street in Hackettstown.

The Who's Tommy is a rock opera by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff based on the 1969 double album, with additional material by John Entwistle, Keith Moon and Sonny Boy Williamson. After witnessing an accidental murder and suffering abuse throughout his life, young Tommy is so traumatized that he loses his ability to speak or to care about life. Tommy's life is saved, however, when he falls in love with pinball. He becomes such an expert at the game that he rises to the stature of an international superstar and inspires youth around the world. Out of this musical, came such great rock classics as "Pinball Wizard," "See Me Feel Me," and "We're Not Gonna Take It." Recommended for ages 12 and up. Performances are Friday Aug 8th at 8pm, Saturday, Aug 9th at 2pm, Sunday Aug 10th at 7pm, Saturday Aug 16th at 8pm, and Sunday Aug 17th at 2pm.

Count to Ten is an original play with book & lyrics by Michael Blevins and Beth Clary and music by Michael Blevins, Scott Knipe, Bruce Sacks, and David Wollenberger. A tap-dancing writer's Broadway ambitions are thwarted because his new musical lacks a real love story. Forced to develop the show at a performing arts camp full of spoiled, rich, and in some cases neglected stars of tomorrow, he finds he can no longer tap-dance around his issues and succumbs to the true call of his heart. Winner of BEST NEW MUSICAL by the National Youth Theater in 2008, Count to Ten is a cross-generational, dance-filled, upbeat musical everyone can tap into. Recommended for ages 10 and up. Performances are Saturday Aug 9th at 8pm, Sunday August 10th at 2pm, Friday August 15th at 8pm, Saturday August 16th at 2pm and Sunday August 17th at 7pm.

Here and Now, by David Rogers, is an unusual play in every way in subject matter, telling the story of a group of high school students, teachers, and parents as they move from performance to reality. Inspired by true events, a group of actors begin rehearsing a play when their identification with the characters becomes stronger. As the confusions and tensions of their parts surface, the actors and the audience will learn that they are not alone with the pressures and confusions of today. Performances are free and will take place on Tuesday August 12th at 7pm, Wednesday August 13th at 7pm, and Thursday August 14th at 7pm.

The One Act Playhouse is a series of one-act plays directed, performed and stage managed by YPW students. Performances are free and will take place on Saturday August 16th at 11am and Sunday August 17th at 11am. The one act shows include Seven Minutes in Heaven written by Eric Alter, The Proposal written by Anton Chekhov and adapted by Michael Blevins, Overtures written by Alice Gerstenberg, and the Happy Journey written by Thornton Wilder.

The YPW program has been led by Broadway, film and television veteran, Michael Blevins, for over 20 years. YPW is dedicated to the enrichment of young lives through experience in the theatre arts, and serves as a venue for cultivating young theatre performers. The program is one of only a handful in the nation that offers both formal training and production experience for young people.

Tickets to the YPW Summer Festival of Shows are $12.50 for adults and $10 for children under 12. Tickets may be purchased online at www.centenarystageco.org or by calling the CSC Box Office at (908) 979-0900. All performances will take place in the Little Theatre at 400 Jefferson Street in Hackettstown.

Interviews for the YPW Fall Session are being held Saturday, August 16th and Sunday, August 17th. To schedule a time, please call the box office at (908) 979-0900.

The Young Performers Workshop is part of the educational arm of the professional Centenary Stage Company, a professional Equity theatre in residence on the campus of Centenary College. Programs at CSC are made possible through the generous support of the Geraldine Dodge Foundation, the NJ State Council on the Arts, The Shubert Foundation, The Laurie Foundation, and CSC members and sponsors.

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