Pittsburgh CLO Mini Stars Announced

Pittsburgh CLO has announced that 18 local young performers have been chosen to star as the 2008-2009 Pittsburgh CLO Mini Stars.  These talented youngsters have appeared in numerous productions for Pittsburgh CLO, the Pittsburgh Opera, the Pittsburgh Playhouse, Pittsburgh Playwrights Theater and the Pittsburgh Public Theater.

Created in 1981, the CLO Mini Stars perform full-scale, dazzling, high-energy revues of Broadway's most memorable moments for private and public events throughout the region. In addition, the Mini Stars have been featured performers at Governor Ed Rendell's Inauguration, Walt Disney World's Epcot Center and in numerous CLO productions including Disney's High School Musical, Peter Pan, Annie, The Who's Tommy, Grease, The Music Man, The Wizard of Oz, Carousel, The Sound of Music, 42nd Street, Oklahoma, The Full Monty, A Musical Christmas Carol, and The Gene Kelly Awards. Former Mini Stars have gone on to pursue professional performing careers on Broadway in such shows as 42nd Street, Lestat, Assassins, A Chorus Line, Contact, Swing, Gypsy and Bombay Dreams. Zachary Quinto of the award-winning series, "Heroes," is also a former Mini Star.

The Mini Stars have begun preparations for their annual Holiday Show which will be performed throughout the region, including at "Light Up Night" on Friday, November 21. This glittering revue will include classic holiday songs and favorites such "Carol of the Bells," "You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch," "Silent Night" and a Rockette-inspired Holiday Kick Line.

2008-09 Pittsburgh CLO Mini Stars

From the North:

Matthew Augustynia, Ross Township, North Hills High School
Logan Farine, Ross Township, North Hills High School
Chris Jamison, McCandless, North Hills High School
Alex Manalo, Valencia, Mars High School

From the City:

Ethan Butler, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh CAPA
Rehima Jordan, Pittsburgh, South Brook School

From the South:

Zoe Hinkle, Upper St. Clair, Fort Couch Middle School
Rachel Miller, Oakdale, Chartiers Valley High School
Daniel Ryave, Upper St. Clair, Upper St. Clair High School
Kristin Serafini, Bethel Park, Bethel Park High School
Jamie Stein, South Park, South Park High School
Luke Steinhauer, Upper St. Clair, Upper St. Clair High School
Claire Stoller, Upper St. Clair, Fort Couch Middle School                    
Michael Zaitz, Upper St. Clair , Upper St. Clair High School

From the East:

Shannon Kirk, Monroeville, Shady Side Academy
Katie Rogers, Penn Hills, Linton Middle School
Emily Weaver, Fox Chapel, Fox Chapel High School
Eric Williams, Penn Hills, St. Bede

The Mini Stars are scheduled to perform at The Mall at Robinson as part of "Santa's Welcome" on Friday, November 14, at Pittsburgh's Light Up Night on Friday, November 21, at PPG Plaza, at the Cultural Trust's Kids Holiday Crawl on Saturday, December 6, at the Cabaret at Theater Square and for a pre-show performance at Pittsburgh CLO's A Musical Christmas Carol on Sunday, December 14, at the Byham Theater. They will also entertain guests at private events at the Duquesne Club and at various country clubs throughout the county.  For more information or to book the Pittsburgh CLO Mini Stars, call Patty Maloney at (412) 281-2234 ext.104 or email pmaloney@pittsburghclo.org.

Since 1946, the Pittsburgh CLO has been the driving force behind live musical theater in Pittsburgh and the entire Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Pittsburgh CLO is a not-for-profit arts organization that appreciates the support of nearly 200,000 patrons each year. Its dedication to the musical theater art form extends beyond the summer season, with such programs as the CLO Academy, the CLO Mini Stars, the Gene Kelly Awards, the Construction Center for the Arts and the CLO Cabaret.

For more information, visit www.pittsburghclo.org.

Photo courtesy Pittsburgh CLO

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