Young cast shines

• By RELMA HARGUS
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: Jul 15, 2008 - Page: 1E - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

• Print
• Email
• Save
• Reprints
• Twitter
• Share

• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• Facebook
• Reddit
• 

You can’t say I wasn’t prepared to be impressed.

Fellow Advocate reporter Robin Miller’s July 6 advance on the Center Stage Performing Arts Academy’s  “Crazy for You” left no doubt about her enthusiasm for the local production that runs Thursday through Sunday on the Dutchtown High School cafetorium stage.

Said enthusiasm is not misplaced.

Despite their youth, these kids can entertain. They dance and sing and make it look fun  — and oh so easy. 

Did I mention how young they are? Turning to me during intermission, the woman next to me did, along with a comment about how unbelievably good the cast was.

All I could do was agree. Performances during the second half  only re-enforced that conclusion.

The audience for the July 10 opening night came prepared to have a good time: Quite a few began to sway during the orchestra’s overture.

Who couldn’t with George Gershwin’s memorable 1930s music that was the basis for this Tony award-winning 1992 musical?

“Shall We Dance,” “I Got Rhythm,” “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” are just a few of the classics in this musical.

But it’s not necessary to have been born when these musical gems were first written to appreciate their beauty. This production proves it.

Although there are a few cast members in their upper 20s, most are still in high school and even a few in middle school.

The orchestra’s performance throughout the night added much enjoyment, but it was the cast who brought the music and story to life with their enthusiasm and skills.

Seth Eliser and Molly Rushing are Bobby Child and Polly Baker.