Fame: The Musical returns to the Regency

SHARELL LOCKHART

Freeport News Reporter

The dynamic producer and director team of Ivy Elden and Gloria McGlone will once again set the performing arts world on fire as they stage 'FAME: The Musical' at the Regency Theatre September 28-30, 2012 and October 5-7, 2012 with a special preview for all high schools on Wednesday, September 27.

No strangers to the Regency Theatre and the stage, Elden and McGlone have teamed up since 1993 bringing the Grand Bahama community highly acclaimed productions such as, An evening with Andrew Lloyd Weber, Many Moods of Christmas, Once on This Island and Guys & Dolls.

The duo first brought FAME: The Musical to the community in January 2002, featuring students from a cross section of schools throughout Grand Bahama.

Now 10 years later the duo will do the same as they explore and feature the talents of young persons ranging in age from 14 to 25 and representing schools from across the island, including Eight Mile Rock, St. Georges and Jack Hayward high schools; Sunland Baptist Academy, Lucaya International School, St. Paul's Meth-odist College, Bishop Michael Eldon School and the College of The Bahamas just to name a few.

"When Gloria and I sat down and talked about what we were going to do, we decided we would do another musical this season.

"We batted aro-und a few ideas and then Gloria said to me, 'You know I have seen a lot of kids just hanging around this summer doing nothing and I'd like to give them something to do,' and so she settled on staging FAME again," Elden revealed.

For many of the young people involved in this musical this will be a chance for them to develop self confidence and uncover gifts and talents they may have not known they possess.

FAME is a musical that was first produced at the Coconut Grove Playhouse in Miami, Florida.

It has been staged under two titles, 'FAME-The Musical' which was conceived and developed by David De Silva and 'FAME on 42nd Street' that was performed Off-Broadway from 2003 to 2004.

It was based on a 1980 musical film Fame and its success was followed by a six- season television series about students at New York City's High School of Performing Arts.

According to Elden the cast of 2012 has a lot to offer,

"They are doing a good job and some are working harder than others but that is human nature.

"There are indeed some real shining stars in the cast," Elden said.

She also noted that during this year's production they will remember the late meteorologist Donna Duncombe who was a props manager and stage crew member in the 2002 production and they will be honoring fallen 2002 castmate and widely acclaimed dancer, actor and choreographer Michael Higgs who passed away earlier this month.

"What has really grabbed us is both the death of Donna and our good friend Michael Higgs.

"Michael was a big part of our cast 10 years ago and we are in fact dedicating this production to his memory.

"When I told him we were doing this play again he said, 'Oh Ivy do you want me to recreate my role?' and I said to him he was just a little bit old to play a student so this is going to be quite poignant for us," Elden shared.

Persons attending this year's production can look forward to an exciting time and as usual an Elden-McGlone production is one that rivals New York City's top Broadway theatre musicals.

Distinguished choreographer and Ballet instructor Lois Seiler and musical genius Sheena Moree will ensure that every dance step and musical note captivates and excites theatregoers.

Will the 2012 FAME cast live up to or exceed the performance of the 2002 veterans?

Elden and McGlone's cast of 2002 produced noted community greats like former Miss Grand Bahama and Miss Earth Bahamas Kerel Pinder, former Olympic swimmer Alana Dillette, former Miss Cinderella Talented Teen Yvonne Saunders, noted media journalist Ewurabena 'Chi Chi' Appiah, dynamic Bahamian songbird and artist Alexis 'Honey P' Pelecanos, media, web and sound and lighting genius Olivia Dorsett and local singing sensation Raquel Oliver just to name a few.

This year's production media sponsors will be Keen I Media and Bahama Islands Info.

So Grand Bahama get ready for a great production and FAME 2012 the cast of 2002 challenges you to be ready to bring it!!!

© 2012 The Freeport News