Young at Arts Presents ONE FALSE MOVE, MARTIN'S LIE Today, 3/14

New York--Young at Arts, a nonprofit organization that provides an outstanding music and theater education to a diverse group of young people from Southern Westchester County and The Bronx, presents an operatic twin bill of Susan Kander's ONE FALSE MOVE and Gian Carlo Menotti's MARTIN'S LIE today, March 14, 7:30 p.m. at Christ Church Bronxville (17 Sagamore Road).

ONE FALSE MOVE, based on the book "Odd Girl Out" by Rachel Simmons, focuses on the pressing issue of female bullying, which Simmons refers to as a hidden culture among young girls.

The opera, commissioned by the Lyric Opera of Kansas in 2003, examines the fictional lives of Amy and Bonnie, who have been best friends since fourth grade and are now in high school. When a new girl, Joanne, moves into town, she and Amy join forces to spread malicious gossips about Bonnie.

Sharyn Pirtle, Young at Arts' founding director, who also directed Houston Grand Opera's production of ONE FALSE MOVE in 2004, said in a statement: "It has been a wonderful journey to discuss this issue with the cast. They all agree that it has happened to all of them at some point, that it is very painful, and that it feels great to be able to express themselves through the piece."

On the other hand, Menotti's MARTIN'S LIE tells the story of an orphan boy who longs to find his father, which makes the boy fall prey to a man who pretended to be the former's long-lost family member.

Pirtle, alongside music director Vaughn Mauren and pianist Martin Goldray, directs both productions, which feature opera singers Heather Petrie, Nicholas Meyer, Dory Schultz, Paul An, and the Young at Arts Rising Stars choirs.

For tickets, visit youngatartsny.org.

Young at Arts' Rising Stars division is a rigorous choral music and drama program, where students learn the foundations of musicianship and good vocal technique. Throughout the academic year, all Rising Stars prepare for various performances: the winter opera, ONE FALSE MOVE, MARTIN'S LIE in March; the fundraiser, which features friends from Broadway's ALADDIN and PIPPIN in April; and the spring musical, among others.

Rising Stars admit students by audition as early as the fourth grade. Once admitted, students are placed into one of these three choirs: the Preparatory Choir, the Girls Choir, or the Boys Choir. Almost all choristers begin singing in the Preparatory Choir, though new students with advanced vocal and sight-reading skills may audition for the Boys Choir or Girls Choir.

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