||| FROM COLLEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER |||
Orcas Center is producing an all-kids musical theater show that will run in early spring. Auditions for “How to Eat like a Child” are on Dec. 2 at 3:30 p.m. in the Madrona Room. Callbacks are Friday, Dec. 5 at 3:30 p.m. with a movement component.
The show is a comedic crash course on the essential skills of childhood through teen years. Through 23 hilarious lessons, children teach the audience the joys and sorrows of being a kid.
The cast age range is 8 to 17. There are group musical numbers, solo songs and speaking parts (scenes, joke telling and monologues) for those who prefer lines. A total of 15 roles will be filled.
“How To Eat Like A Child” is based on the book of the same name by Delia Ephron. The musical version began its life as an NBC primetime special, which premiered in 1981, starring Dick Van Dyke. It was an immediate hit in schools, camps and community centers.
Katie Zwilling will direct the production. Miramonee Darling is joining as assistant director. Grace Zwilling, who is 13, will act as musical director, and Orcas High School junior Stella Dillard is the co-choreographer. More teens will come on board to help with costumes, backstage and more.
The first all-cast rehearsal is Dec. 12, but regular rehearsals won’t begin until January. Show dates are March 20-22 and 27-29 in the Black Box. There is a sliding scale production fee of $50, $100 and $150 for those who are cast. To fill out an audition form, visit www.orcascenter.org.
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Oh goodness gracious. I don’t like the precedent this sets. Are we really going to start charging volunteer cast members to be in a show? Cast members who are generously giving of their time and talent? Isn’t there some way that a sponsor could be recruited to pay the $1500 or so in fees so that the cast doesn’t have to pay? I really hope this is not the model going forward. That said – the show sounds great. Can’t wait to see it. Just hope the cast doesn’t have to pay to be in it.