Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic rendition of Cinderella is hitting the Straz Center this Thursday and Friday in a special, two-day performance by a cast of young thespians.
For the fifth consecutive year, the Patel Conservatory is hosting its prestigious Youth Theater camp for actors between the ages of 8 and 18. These kids sing, dance, and act the socks off of unabridged theatrical masterpieces during just three weeks of intensive, all-day rehearsal and prep.
While participants all pass an audition process, their experience ranges from seasoned performers to those who will perform in front of an audience this weekend for the very first time. This year's Prince, Luis Colone, previously appeared in Fame at the Straz Center.
I stopped by rehearsals last week to get a taste of what we should expect. While it's unsurprising how endearing it is to watch young performers waltzing or scurrying around as mice, the vocal talent of the leads and the rapid-fire choreography was formidable. This will in no way resemble the school plays we all know so well.
The camp itself carries such a positive reputation that some of the 70-odd participants have traveled to Florida to participate. They might be young, but they are dead serious about delivering a first-class performance.
Tickets are $12-$25 on the day of show or $10-$20 in advance. Showtimes are Thursday, July 29 and Friday, July 30 at 7:30 p.m. Information about the course and other classes offered at the Straz Center can be found here.
This article appears in Jul 22-28, 2010.