Talented teens have “Magic to Do” for eager audiences
SAN JOSE, CA—January 2, 2017— Starting Arts’ Dream Team (www.startingarts.com) kicks off the new year with final rehearsals for their upcoming performances of PIPPIN, which runs January 12 thru 15 at Santa Clara High School Theater located at 3000 Benton St. in Santa Clara. For show information and to purchase tickets, visit DTPippin.eventbrite.com.
The talented cast of teenagers, led by Dream Team Program Director, Alicia Sanders, is delighted to deliver a musical spectacle filled with a soaring score, Fosse-esque choreography, acrobatics, circus tricks, and magic that compliments the uplifting plot. In preparation for the show, the team has trained for months and worked with experts, including a circus arts professional who taught the performers juggling, ball walking, plate spinning, aerial silk skills, and more.
“Audiences can expect to be mesmerized and amazed by the illusions, magical moments, and sheer talent up on the stage,” says Alicia Sanders, Dream Team Program Director. “In an effort to showcase the team’s high level of talent, Dream Team focuses on selecting challenging productions. PIPPIN promises to do just that and is not to be missed.”
PIPPIN is the story of a young prince, son of King Charlemagne the Great, who is spurred on by a mysterious troupe of performers to embark on a death-defying journey to find the meaning of life. This musical, which opened in 1972, is a Tony Award-winning production with original direction and choreography by legendary Bob Fosse, music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and a book by Roger O. Hirson. In 2013, PIPPIN received the Tony Award for “Best Musical Revival”.
This Dream Team production, directed by Sanders with music direction by Diana Torres Koss, choreography by Lauren Meyer, marks the team’s ninth mainstage production since it’s debut performance of INTO THE WOODS in 2010. PIPPIN will feature a live orchestra under the direction of the talented Tony Gaitan. Dream Team productions are produced by Starting Arts and under the artistic direction of Mike Boston.
The Dream Team is a select group of young artists from the Bay Area ranging in age from 14 to 18 years. Through the Starting Arts program, team members receive weekly expert training in music (vocal), dance and theater, and monthly workshops with arts professionals. Specialized workshops are designed to develop a variety of skills including auditioning, performance technique, stage combat, and stage management. The team also participates in various community performances and produces an annual showcase
About Starting Arts (www.startingarts.com)
Located in San Jose, Starting Arts is a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that actively promotes all arts disciplines: Dance, Theatre, Music, Visual Arts and Film. Starting Arts was inspired by the simple observation that something special happens when young people connect with the arts. A unique learning environment materializes where students think and communicate through images, music and movement. Arts education creates opportunities for students to develop key life skills and evolve into confident, articulate, team-conscious members of our communities. We believe that an education without arts exposure is incomplete and falls far short of extraordinary. That unwavering belief has translated into a mission: to make arts education accessible to all students in Bay Area schools. Since its inception in 2000, Starting Arts has served over one hundred schools.