Glendale News-Press, Monday, September 29, 2003

A True Theater Experience for 27 Students

Those who say that the arts are dead or dying in Glendale should sit up and take notice of the Stepping Stone Players' presentation of "Annie."

I took 27 members of my dance/drill team to the Saturday evening show.  Many of these girls and never seen a live theater presentation, since very often, ticket prices for such productions are prohibitive.  Most of what these kids know of theater is from going to the local AMC or learning about it in a classroom setting.

What they saw was a wonderfully produced and delightfully entertaining production.  I have seen this show done by three different companies, including one at the now shuttered Shubert Theatre.  I have to say that this one was the most enjoyable.  The company has gone beyond "community theater" and presented a tightly directed, handsomely costumed and extremely talented group of performers.  The majority of the participants are Glendale community members, people who are performers by night and teachers, nurses and students by day.

The orchestra was directed by Hoover High School's Craig Kupka, whose talented pool of high school musicians brings the production to a whole new level.  My girls were so thrilled to have such a wonderful opportunity to see live theatre that many of them want to go back to see it again.

The Stepping Stone Players' productions are a once-a-year happening.  They work all year long to be able to bring the city of Glendale a new musical production at the end of each summer.

So to you naysayers-theater is not dead or dying.  Quite the contrary, it is alive, kicking, and flourishing at the High School auditorium.

Cristina Neel
Toll Middle School Dance/Drill Advisor

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