Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Here & There Column 4-16-13


A Future Star Is Born

  We love music, concerts and school plays that are meaningful.
  Shirley and I were invited to the Minisink Valley Central High School Drama Club's presentation recently of "No, No, Nanette", a musical depicting the  elegance and carefree attitude of the 1920's.
  The melding of song and dance to make a fluffy light as air story came to life that night and it was refreshing to just see the talent of this cast entertain.
  And with it all emerged what we believe is a future stage, TV and movie star in the making. We say that because of the vast knowledge we have acquired over the many years while judging, photographing and writing along with my vast musical background that I have have been exposed to.  
  The lead actress/singer in this play, 16-year-old sophomore Amanda Scialabba, is the daughter of John and Joanne Scialabba of Westtown. Mom Joanne teaches secondary self-contained special education at the main campus of Sullivan County BOCES.
  Amanda, as Nanette,  stole the show with her outstanding acting ability and beautiful voice.....there is no doubt in my mind we will being seeing and hearing this talented young lady sometime in the future. 
  Amanda moved to Orange County with her family from Staten Island in August 2009. She was lucky that her new school had a drama program as her previous school did not.
  She always loved singing but realized a love of the stage when she landed the role of Willy Wonka in her seventh grade play at Minisink Valley Middle School. Guitar and drum lessons have also been a major part of her musical background.
  A member of the High Honor Roll Amanda is also taking advanced classes so that she can eventually get college credits while in high school. Last summer she was accepted into the Open Jar Institute in New York City for a week of workshops with professionals in the field and attended a broadway show each night. 
  Previous to playing Nanette in this play she has helped with the house crew for "The Curious Savage" and she played the role of Smitty in last year's spring musical "How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying". This year she student directed the fall production of "Lend Me A Tenor". Amanda and other students directed the Intermediate School's production of "Annie" this year.
  Watch for this talented young lady's name......she is a winner.                                                     
                                            

Sixteen-year-old Amanda Scialabba performing the role of "Nanette" in the musical No, No, Nanette.

                                                   -30- 




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