CSTOCK kids are runnin’ the show

Now that the intricacies of the actual staging of a mainstage musical have been defined, let’s take a look at this upcoming production at CSTOCK — a production written, arranged choreographed, cast and performed by the theater’s youth.

“As the lights slowly caome up,” the CSTOCK press release reads, “one young singer is followed by another, then another, until a mass of talented teens take over the stage revelling us in the music and dance from the best of Broadway.”

But they’re not just the performers, CSTOCK’s teens are also in the director’s and producer’s chairs. They’re the costumers and the choreographers, stage managers, crew members and light designers. They’ve done it all.

What’s more, it wasn’t a decision handed down to the youth committee from above, CSTOCK artistic director Trina Williamson said. The youth committee, which is comprised of about 20-30 kids, actually brought the idea to the board.

“You know the old Judy Garland/Mickey Rooney quote, ‘Let’s put on a show!’ ” Williamson said. “That’s what they’ve done ... they did everything for this show.”

Of course they had the guidance and supervision of the theater’s adults, but the creative process was left to the kids. And they’ve taken it and run with it.

While it’s technically a fundraiser for CSTOCK’s youth committee, Williamson said they’re treating it more like a bonus addition to the season.

For one weekend only, you can see the next generation of community theater on display.

A MUSICAL COLLAGE plays March 20-22, with curtains at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 6 p.m. Sunday at CSTOCK, 9729 Silverdale Way in Silverdale. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for youth, kids under 3 free. Info: www.cstock.org.

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