STONE HARBOR, N.J. (CBS) — A Jersey Shore theater program is offering kids a unique opportunity to perform on a professional stage this summer.
After weeks of rehearsals, the Seven Mile Island Players will present their musical production of “Beauty and the Beast” at the Middle Township Performing Arts Center.
Even before the show starts, work is going on non-stop behind the scenes, keeping the family-run theatre company busy in the lead-up to the big day.
“It’s been a rollercoaster ride for sure,” said Charlie Casey, who plays the Beast.
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“When you do theater, you have more people to hang out with, you make great friends and it’s just fun,” said Christopher Pry, who plays Gaston.
The week before opening night was full of finishing touches, mic checks, and last-minute costume revisions.
All 90 children in the cast have special roles.
It’s all being spearheaded by the Martins, who saw a need for new youth theatre programs in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Everybody was rooting for us,” Bill Martin said. “The whole community supported us and made this happen. We’re a small theater production company, so we couldn’t have done it on our own.”
And this isn’t a piece you’ll often see in your neighborhood.
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They work with professional choreographers and directors, and the sets are the same ones used at Philadelphia’s Walnut Street Theatre.
It’s about giving kids the opportunity of a lifetime.
“It’s amazing,” Casey says. “It’s almost professional.”
Regardless of the size of the role, the kids said they are grateful to have the opportunity to be on stage this summer.
“When kids are onstage smiling and having fun, that’s what matters,” said Grace Martin, who plays Belle. “That’s what makes the show tick.”
Their first show starts tonight at 7pm, they’ll also perform on Saturday and their final show on Sunday.
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