Home > Past Buzz > "Fame" Takes Stage in South Brunswick
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BY MELISSA CIFELLI
Staff Writer

Members of the New Jersey Repertory Theatre rehearse for the upcoming performance of "Fame" to be held at Crossroads North Middle School.

Music, teen angst and the New Jersey Repertory Theatre will come to South Brunswick in the production of the musical "Fame."

Student actors from South Brunswick, North Brunswick and Milltown are just a week away from their performance of the hit show, which centers on the lives of students at the prestigious High School for the Performing Arts in New York.

Producer Phyllis Kristjanson said the play deals with the students' struggles with trying to make it in show business, a topic many of the group's young actors can relate to.

Kristjanson said she was excited about the production, which includes a number of dance pieces and limited dialogue.

"It's a big challenge," Kristjanson said.

The theater group, comprising more than 30 actors ages 11 and up, as well as their director, Keith Presty, and choreographer Jill Price Meeker, began practicing for their summer performance in early July.

The group has practiced every week for more than two hours a day. And rehearsals, according to Kristjanson, have been going very well.

Since rehearsal time is limited, Kristjanson said actors know they must work hard and remain focused during practice time.

"They always come through," Kristjanson said.

Despite the hard work, troupe members said the group is a place where friendships are made and actors become family.

Theater member Ashley Delgado, 19, who plays one of the leads as Carmen Diaz, said many of the members have been in the group for several years.

"This is an opportunity to get back on stage, perform, and have fun," Delgado said.

The New Jersey Repertory Theatre performs plays throughout the year.

Advance tickets for the summer performance of "Fame" are $9 and will be on sale July 24 from 1 to 3 p.m. and July 25, 26 and 27 from 6:15 to 8 p.m. at the Crossroads North Middle School auditorium. All tickets at the door will be $10.

Performances will be held at Crossroads North Middle School, located on Georges Road, July 29 and 30 at 7:30 p.m.

 

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