"Opening Night"
"Five minutes! Five minutes to places!"
the rbk kids
opened on broadway last night
lori klinger
in 3 years
made professional actors
out of public school 5th graders
bravo
and thanks
-rblog 5-8-06
The dressing rooms began to buzz backstage at the New Victory Theater's production of the children's opera, Brundibar. As the Production Stage Manager gave his five-minute call, 22 of Rosie's Broadway Kids sprung into action, their routine for eight shows a week for four weeks. Each night, as the students walked through their microphone and costume check, they transformed, as Rosie said, into professional actors.
In January 2006, the New Victory Theater approached Lori Klinger, Artistic Director of RBKids, about the possibility of having students from the ACTE II scholarship program fulfill the important role of the Children's Chorus in their upcoming production of Hans Krasa's Brundibar, adapted by Tony Kushner (Angels in America, Munich). Director Tony Taccone (Bridge and Tunnel) visited the ACTE II program shortly thereafter, and found the students to be the perfect fit for the show. This being the first professional performance opportunity presented to RBKids, the staff was a bit tentative. Could 22 families, many of whom are single-parent, commit to the intensive rehearsal schedule of six days a week and a performance schedule of eight shows a week? Do the students have the stamina, professionalism and energy to perform this show."
True commitment
The answer, as it turned out, was absolutely. After lengthy meetings with parents and families, RBKids decided to accept this endeavor with full commitment. Music rehearsals with RBKids teachers Steven Mitchell and Jonah Speidel began to replace regular ACTE II classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays in early March, and students began working with the artistic staff of Brundibar at the New 42nd St. studios in late March. Rehearsals ran anywhere from 2 – 6 hours, up to six days a week, with RBKids staff providing healthy lunches and snacks, and tutored homework time.
As the rehearsals continued, the rest of the cast, comprised of such Broadway favorites Euan Mortan (Taboo), Martin Vidnovich (Brigadoon, Oklahoma), William Youmans (Wicked), Angelina Reaux (La Boheme) and Geoff Hoyle (The Lion King) joined the students. The mere presence of such talented artists required RBKids students to not only meet their standard of professionalism, but also surpass it. They did not disappoint. As Toni Noblett, RBKids teaching artist and Director of Faculty put it, “Surrounded by professionals who are the most respected in their fields, our students had to learn to respond to these artists with open minds and humility. Taking constructive criticism, as well as praise, in a group setting requires a degree of maturity that our students did not possess at the outset, but that was visably present at the final curtain.?"
Indeed, the students' growth became clear each night. Students mastered the simple, yet hard-to-learn, professional responsibilities of being quiet backstage, remembering cues, singing on pitch every night, remaining in-character on stage, and staying focused throughout the entire one-hour performance. Many of the students learned about themselves as well, as this was their first major performance opportunity. Susan Jaquez, a 6th grader, felt like she was afraid to take risks with her performing, and ultimately felt very shy. “Performing in Brundibar,?" she said, “made me feel like I could do anything. Now I just go up and do it.?"
Positive reviews
Opening night came on May 7, with the onslaught of the much-anticipated reviews. One review in AM New York called it “off-Broadway's most fascinating new show,?" and both Variety and the New York Times praised RBKids students:
“As played by some two dozen members of the children's group Rosie's Broadway Kids, the boys and girls raise the roof with their spirited vocalizing of Krasa's melodic music.?"
-Variety, 5-8-06
“The cast, which includes a children's chorus, performs with high spirits.?"
-New York Times, 5-9-06
Lori Klinger sums up the experience as hugely positive: “Having our ACTE II students make their professional debut in a Brundibar was a thrilling experience. To see the growth that each student made during the month-long run was rewarding for our staff. It was a jump start for our performing team and an invaluable experience for the organization as a whole.?"