Bethel Youth Theater Program Is “Wicked!”

Last Friday evening was literally the calm before the storm, or hurricane in Bethel’s case, for young thespians from Bethel and surrounding towns. Theater students ranging in age from 6-15 participated in Ultra Violet Productions’ original presentation of “Wicked Meets the Wizard,” an unique adaptation of the two popular musicals.

The two pact play was a combination of the Wizard of Oz and Wicked, the hugely popular Broadway play. The play began with a silent drama depicting the tornado that carried Dorothy off into Munchkinland.

The theater troupe practiced for 2 weeks, for about 2 hours per day at the last summer theater camp of the summer for Ultra Violet Productions, a Bethel-based children’s and teen’s theater troupe. Classes were taught at the Bethel United Methodist Church by Wendy Mitchell.

Twenty-five students from Bethel, Danbury, Newtown, Ridgefield, Redding and Easton all showed off their acting prowess and vocal talents as they sang many popular songs from the play. Bethel residents Ruby Mitchell, Mason Baliko, Max DiMeglio and yle Carbone starred as Dorothy, Toto and the Scarecrow and the Wizard of Oz. Joseph Iorfino, also from Bethel, played the doorman and Uncle Henry. Hannah Tucci of Danbury played Glinda. Redding actress Ellen Thome played the Tin Man and Boq (Wicked). The Cowardly Lion was played by Newtowner Charles Romano and the Wicked Witch of the West was played by Madison Iommazzo of Danbury. Sophia Carnicelli and Grace Cumming, both of Ridgefield, narrated.

The Wicked part of the play included Bethel student Jillian Ramey as Nessarose, Jordan Gray as Fiyero, Valerie Ferrante as Madame Morrible, Marketa Hlouskova as Shen Shen and Brittany Taylor as Galinda, all of Danbury, and Janna Sturges of Easton as Elphaba.

Janna and Brittany wowed the crowd with their rendition of “Defying Gravity,” which was also the Grand Finale song. ( click here to see video of rehearsal ) Parents got quite a kick out of the little munchkins who sang “The Lollipop Guild;” Christy Robertson (Bethel), Gracie & Faith Lange (Danbury), Becca Filiato (Newtown), Katie Stan (Newtown), and Anna Romano (Newtown) and Maddie Baliko (Bethel).

Anna also played Dorothy in the first scene which was a silent drama that Jordan narrated. Munchkins doubled as winged monkeys and each student got many chances to sing and act in the 90 -minute production.

A fog machine and a bubble machine added to the special effects as the students played very convincing parts. Bethel student Paul Rodgers managed the stage and all of the props and Wendy Mitchell wrote and directed the play.

All of the students performed extremely well and learned a full-length play in just 2 weeks! Parents and friends were very impressed.

Students are gearing up for their next two productions: a Halloween flash mob for teens and pre-teens and a HUGE Christmas spectacular that will be presented at Capellaro’s Grove in Bethel. Classes begin on Tuesday September 6th and run in 8-week sessions as follows:

Session #1

The first session is preparation for a Halloween flash mob for 2nd-12th graders and a mini Halloween musical for Pre-K, KG & 1st grade.

Tuesdays

6-week session, Sept. 20 through Oct. 29, $125

Location: Bethel United Methodist Church, 141 Greenwood Ave., Bethel

2nd-4th from 5-6pm

5th-8th from 6:15-7:15pm

9th-12th from 7:30-8:30pm

**Performance is Saturday Oct. 29, Bethel location to be determined

Saturdays

6-week session, Sept. 24 through Oct. 29, $125

Location: Karate America, 213 Greenwood Ave, Bethel

Pre-K & kindergarten & 1st grade from 11:30-12:30pm

**Performance is Saturday Oct. 29, Bethel location to be determined

Session #2

The second session is preparation for the Christmas spectacular and runs for 6 weeks on Tuesdays, Nov. 1 through Dec. 10 and Saturdays Nov. 5 through Dec. 3, same times & locations as above. Price is $125 per student for the 6-week session.

**Performances are Sat. 12/10 &12/17 at 11:30am and Fri. 12-23 at 2pm all at Capellaro’s Grove in Bethel.

To register your child or for more information, email UVProductions@yahoo.com or call 203-826-7194.