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| Show 49 of 2016 |
Last summer I stage managed Mary Poppins at Ardmore Little Theatre in Ardmore, Oklahoma. We had such a great summer and I met some amazing people. We had quite a few kids in the show and I’m trying to make it a point to support them in their activities, especially all things related to the stage. One of our girls, Journee, was the lead in her school’s original production ‘Daphne and Jaren’s It’s a Beautiful Day.’
They had two performances and I was lucky enough to make my 9-5 schedule work around the daytime performance. Her grandmother told me that each year their principal writes and directs an original show. Let me tell you folks this did not disappoint! The show used all the students from this small Christian school with the older kids being the leads.
Daphne and Jaren were the hosts of a morning television talk show (think Regis and Kelly). They ‘produced’ a couple of shows during the performance. They had guests and a production manager barking out orders (and bribing the leading lady into interviewing a guest with an affinity to bugs!). The older kids from the school played the guests ranging from a Ron Popeil style griller to a baker who brought the cutest ‘ugly sweater cookies’ (the preschool kids).
Sweet Journee played Daphne and was phenomenal. Her stage presence and commitment to her character were flawless throughout the production. It was so much fun to see one of our kids from this summer truly shine in a lead role. I have no doubt this will not be her final starring part!
The show also included a live choir and prerecorded commercials during the commercial breaks which were hilarious. The story focused on how we need to remember the true reason for Christmas and was heartwarming and would put anyone in the spirit for the holidays.
I was thoroughly impressed by this original work by principal, Manette Pinson. Not only was in heartwarming it was well thought out, concise, timely, and perfectly executed, especially when considering the number of children involved!
I would most certainly see another production that this small school puts on. I love that they value performance an have made it a priority in their curriculum when so many schools have cut the fine arts.
For More Information:
Production: Daphne and Jaren's It's a Beautiful Day
Venue: Ardmore Christian School
City: Ardmore, OK
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