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<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: auto 0in" class=gen4 align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><STRONG><FONT
size=3>Youth theater lives, trives with passion</FONT></STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Bob
Abelman<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"
/><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">News-Herald,
Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times, Geauga Times
Courier<o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Member,
International Association of Theatre Critics <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">This
article appeared in the <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Times
</I>papers<I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"> </I>7/1/10</SPAN><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=gen4><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT
size=3>In the 1930s and 1940s, an adolescent Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney did
a series of backyard-musical films where the logical solution for what ails you
was to “put on a show.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=gen4><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=gen4><FONT size=3><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Babes
in Arms</SPAN></I><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">,
their earliest film, found the two teens and their buddies staging a musical to
help revive vaudeville after it had succumbed to motion pictures.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Strike Up the Band</I>, the kids do a
musical revue to finance a high school band competition and pay for a pal’s
life-saving surgery.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=gen4><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=gen4><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT
size=3>Apparently putting on a show just requires a song in your heart and a
pocket full of good intention.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=gen4><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=gen4><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">“And
a lot of people donating their time and energy,” notes Luke Wehner, a recent
graduate of Brush High School and the Chagrin Falls Performing Arts Academy.
<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“And it takes lots of
planning.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">If
I've learned one thing its plan, plan, plan!</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=gen4><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=gen4><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT
size=3>Mr. Wehner did not just put on any show for his senior project.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Along with Academy alumna and current
Boston University theater major Olivia Fine, he co-directed and acted in an
extremely ambitious production of the musical <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Jesus Christ Superstar</I>, performed past
weekend in the Chagrin Fall High School’s black box theater.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=gen4><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT
size=3></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=gen4><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT
size=3>Proceeds from both performances, staged after months of planning and just
two weeks of intensive rehearsal, were earmarked to support local area youth
theaters.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=gen4><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=gen4><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT
size=3>It is from local youth theaters like Playmakers, Stagecrafters, Heights
Youth Theater, Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory, and Near West Theater
that the show’s young cast members cut their teeth and found a forum for their
burgeoning creativity.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The majority
of them—Nick Hyland, Patrick Mooney, Derrick Hann, David Levitz, Frances Furnas,
Corlesia Smith, and Austin James Murray—chose to advance their knowledge and
fine-tune their skills through the Academy.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=gen4><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">The
Chagrin Falls Performing Arts Academy was established in 2008 and is an
accredited, half day high school program under the umbrella of northeast Ohio's
Mayfield Consortium.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Ten school
systems constitute the consortium, including Aurora, Beachwood, Chagrin Falls,
Mayfield, Orange, Richmond Heights, Solon, South Euclid-Lyndhurst, West Geauga
and, more recently, Shaker Heights.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">According
to Academy director Tom Fulton, “this <SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic">is a college preparatory program that
provides talented juniors and seniors with a challenging educational and
performance-based experience.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Students going through this program work with working professionals and,
by doing so, are well on their way to becoming working professionals
themselves.”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=gen4><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=gen4><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT
size=3>This production of <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Jesus Christ
Superstar</I> featured two Equity actors with local youth theater ties.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>R. Scott Posey, who played Jesus, was
recently a guest artist in the Heights Youth Theater production of <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Children of Eden</I>.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Ben Fankhauser, who portrayed Judas, is
fresh off a national tour of <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Spring
Awakening</I> and was active in Stagecrafters and Heights Youth Theater when he
was in middle school and high school. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=gen4><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=gen4><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT
size=3>Music director Sean Szaller, who was largely responsible for recruiting
the magnificent 11-piece orchestra, has directed for several youth theaters over
the past few years.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=gen4><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=gen4><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT
size=3>Although Mr. Posey’s professionalism bolstered this production and Mr.
Fankhauser’s well-honed talents nearly stole it, it was the efforts of Mr.
Wehner, Ms. Fine and their young ensemble of performers that made this
production soar and inspired spontaneous standing ovations.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Their energy, their creativity and their
skills enthralled the audience; their obvious and unbridled passion for
performing won them over.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=gen4><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=gen4><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">This
production of <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Jesus Christ Superstar</I>
serves as testimony to the importance of youth theater and arts education in our
community.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“As someone who
</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">struggled
with engaging in the traditional classroom,” admits Mr. Wehner, “I found a place
to feel accomplished, to feel successful, to feel challenged.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I found a place where I felt supported
and safe to take risks and grow.” </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=gen4><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=gen4><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT
size=3>This production also provides evidence that the performing arts have
found their way to the next generation of performance artists.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is in the safe keeping of those who,
in the spirit of those who came before them, wholeheartedly believe that the
cure for what ails you is to put on a show.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=gen4><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Reader
feedback is welcome.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Visit:<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><A href=""><SPAN
style="COLOR: blue; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt">www.chagrinvalleytimes.com/contact_us.php</SPAN></A></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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