Summer Singing

     Normally, there isn’t much going on at our local schools during the summer. So you can imagine my surprise when I went over to the John Burroughs High School auditorium the other night for a musical presented by the school’s Vocal Music Association.
     It seems that a group of kids have been spending most of their summer vacation honing their vocal and dance skills. The program, which started back at the end of June, culminated in two performances of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Under the direction of Jennifer Oundjian and Brendan Jennings, the Burroughs High and Jordan Middle School students worked on signing and dancing, then put their heads together to come up with a show that they would produce themselves.
     Creating their own version of the classic story was a formidable task. Students had to come up with a script, then create sets, props, costumes and choreography for the production. Student directors of the show were Katy-Beth Benedict and Brenda Grate. Besides acting and singing, they, along with most of the cast took on the added responsibility for all the various aspects of production. They got a little adult help from Oundjian and Jennings, as well as Jon King for music and sound, Sean O’Byrne for writing, Robin Guttman for set design, and Brandon Rude for lighting.
     With just two weeks to rehearse, the students put on a fantastic show. They looked like Smurfs in their blue and white costumes, but the 50 or so Oompa Loompas could certainly dance and sing. The choreography involved with the human “candy making machine” was very impressive. Charlie Bucket, played by Brian Guillen, and Katy-Beth Benedict were a favorite with the crowd with their rendition of “Time After Time.” Also a hit were Charlie’s “grandparents” played by Woody Somvichai, Stella Nguyen, Kevin Tom, and Marie Gutierrez. Wowing the crowd with her acting in the part of Willy Wonka’s secretary was Brenda Grate. What a voice! Her rendition of “What A Feeling” was probably the highlight of the show. Such talented young people are going to go far. I can’t wait to see what the VMA comes up with during the coming school year.
     Despite there being little publicity about the show, a large crowd was lined up to get in before the doors opened. Although the show’s two-night run is over, there is another production coming up featuring students from local elementary, middle and high schools. “Goosed” is a musical about nursery rhymes for kids. It is being put on by a group called Show Camp, and will be held in the Burbank High auditorium on August 19, 20, and 21, at 7 p.m. There will be 2 p.m. matinees on the 20 th and 21 st. Tickets are $12 for adults, and $10 for seniors and students, and can be purchased at the door.

      --- Stan

Questions or Comments email Stan at Burbank Blog.Com