Youth in Focus

By Richard A. Ross

'Life is a cabaret'

Lines from Stagedoor Manor’s ‘Our Time’ Cabaret revue could have been written with these aspiring performers in mind

	TRR photos by Richard A. Ross Rebecca Davidson of Baltimore, MD sang in the ‘Our Time’ Cabaret and starred in “Brigadoon.” She is pictured with fellow Cabaret performer Jonathan Hatfield of Palm Springs, CA. (Click for larger image)

LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY— Wilkommen, bienvenue, let me entertain you, sang the group of powerful voices as the lights came up on a revue performed by Stagedoor Manor’s most talented singers and dancers on August 23. Choreographed originally by the late Jack Romano, the production is now directed by Jeff Murphy, a teacher at The Professional Performing Arts High School in New York City. A seamless montage of musical numbers and dance featured cameos by kids who traveled to camp from far and wide to work on their craft.

“I wanted to be an actress since I was about three,” says Rebecca Davidson of Baltimore, MD. (Some of us belong to the stars and that’s where I am going.) Her friends from school might not understand her passion, but “here, people are all the same in that regard,” said Davidson. (Being alive)

“Discovered” in New York City by camp Production Director Konnie Kittrell at a talent and model convention (Hey look me over.), Davidson came to Stagedoor Manor for the final session of camp. The effervescent ninth-grader played Jean in “Brigadoon.”

“She’s shy, it was kind of a stretch for me,” said Davidson who has performed in community theatre, musical theatre and school plays. “When you get to camp, you audition and everyone is cast in a show. You sing a song if you want to be in a musical. You start with a stage and a script and you have three weeks to create a show.” Though not a soloist in the revue, Davidson sang and danced with great flair. (Let me entertain you.) She hopes to keep the camp experience alive until next summer. “I want to keep in touch with my friends here.” (Memories.)

	Morgan Hardy (center) of Liberty, New York sang solos in the ‘Our Time’ Cabaret and played the lead part of Lyssa Dent Hughes in “An American Daughter.” She is flanked by ‘Our Time’ Cabaret soloists Perri Goldstein (left) and Shana Vaccaro. (Click for larger image)

Morgan Hardy of Liberty, NY has spent three summers at Stagedoor Manor. This summer marked her debut in “Our Time.” She has performed in musicals with Liberty Performing Arts, The Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop and at the Forestburgh Playhouse. Her resumé includes “Ragtime”, “The Fantasticks,” “Annie,” “Into the Woods,” “Tommy,” “Oliver” and “Les Miserables.” (Who am I anyway? Am I my resumé?) Hardy sang solos of “Memories” and” What I Did For Love.”

This session she made her dramatic debut in Wendy Wasserstein’s acerbic political comedy, “An American Daughter,” directed by Camilla Samuelson. “In a musical, you have your voice to fall back on,” said Hardy. “In drama you don’t have that extra tool. It’s far more realistic.” Hardy’s performance as Lyssa Dent Hughes was powerful. She credits the camp staff. “People are so supportive.”

	Photo source Gabe Seidman of Wayne, NJ just completed his fourth summer at Stagedoor Manor where he performed in the ‘Our Time’ Cabaret and in “Sweet Charity.” (Click for larger image)

Gabe Seidman, a 14-year-old from Wayne, NJ, discovered his love for acting at Stagedoor Manor four years ago. He has been coming ever since for the full summer. He has starred in “Me and My Girl,” “Tommy,” “Oliver” and “Smile.” (Another opening.)  Seidman’s singing and body language in “Our Time” contributed strongly to the revue. No longer the shy kid he used to be, Seidman works with a theatre group in NYC called “Applause,” which he heard about at Stagedoor Manor. “I definitely want to be a professional,” said Seidman who hopes to be discovered. (Gotta find my corner of the sky.)

As “Our Time” ended, Seidman and others had tears in their eyes. They were tears of joy. (Won’t forget, can’t regret what I did for love.)

With so much talent, this week’s youth in focus have bright futures. (The sun will come out tomorrow.)