Willow Glen Resident
Education
Photograph by Vicki Thompson
Rich Man: Willow Glen Middle School students (from left) Ali Roland, Charly Guptill, Devin Davis, Irena Luft, Cassi Gallo, Elisa Gonzales and Marisa Ortiz stretch their acting skills in the school's first musical, 'Fiddler on the Roof, Jr.'
Middle school musical opens new tradition, director hopes
By Mayra Flores De Marcotte
Get ready, Broadway; the next batch of talented actors is being showcased in Willow Glen. The Willow Glen Little Theater is touting some homegrown talent with its first musical, Fiddler on the Roof, Jr.
Middle schools usually combine their theater productions with the high school's, says Willow Glen Middle School musical director Laura Longshore.
"We wanted to give the middle schoolers their own arena where they weren't competing with older kids for the same parts," Longshore says. "We also want to keep our local kids in the neighborhood."
Half of the performers involved in this new show have previous experience with theater, but the other half are new to it, Longshore says.
She chose this abridged version of the play because it was her first time directing a musical and she wanted something manageable.
"We did it all," Longshore says, "costumes, props, sets and choreography. We even had our own crew."
For Longshore, the benefits of this particular play go beyond its manageable size.
"The kids get a good cultural experience as well," Longshore says. "Many were unfamiliar with Jewish customs and dances and are learning about them through the play."
Sixth-grader Kiley Bantillo plays a bartender in the musical and says she likes to be someone she's not.
"I can express myself and put my energy to good use," says Kiley, who been acting since she was a baby.
Sixth-grader Kris McBrian has two years of theater under his belt and says he chose to do this play because he had previous experience with the director and liked working with her.
"I like acting and having people know who I am," Kris says.
Eighth-grader Chanel Galvan has been doing theater for four years.
"I like performing because you meet new people," she says.
All three plan on continuing to act through high school.
Longshore hopes this musical will start a tradition that will grow.
"Our community deserves it," she says.
The benefits of being part of something like a musical are apparent in the students, Longshore says.
"It gives them an opportunity to explore other characters, other time frames in history and other cultures," Longshore says. "They also gain self-confidence and poise."
Along with the personal benefits, being part of the theater brings together students with different styles and backgrounds who wouldn't necessarily cross paths at school, she says.
"Kids with different backgrounds depend on each other while working on a project," Longshore says. "Kids learn to appreciate each other's strengths."
Rick Guptill, who is the school's music boosters representative and volunteer for the production, says this musical has values and lessons that apply to modern-day life.
"The kids should be proud of how hard they have worked and over what they have produced for the audience," Guptill says.
The Music Boosters, along with the Willow Glen Foundation, helped make the musical a reality.
The play, "Fiddler on the Roof Jr." will run from June 1 through June 3 at the Willow Glen Little Theater, 2105 Cottle Ave. All shows start at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $10 VIP, $8 general admission and $5 seniors/students.
To reserve tickets, contact Donna Gilbert at 408.416.8627 or visit www.wgmusicals.org.
The production is in need of wireless microphones. To donate or find out how to help, or to advertise in the production's program, contact Rick Guptill at 408.464.3643 or email at rguptill@ieee.org.
