2014-2015 Show Season

It's been a long time since I have updated the family blog. We have been a very busy family this past year. We have so many highlights but I have decided to update on our 2014-2015 show season. Grace and Ben were both in Beauty and the Beast in November 2014.

 Grace played multiple roles in the singing/dancing ensemble. She played the pepper side to her BFF Madie, who played salt. They got to dance a little duet together during "Be Our Guest."

Ben played multiple roles as well. He was a cheese grater in "Be Our Guest" and below you see him as an angry villager in the mob scene "Kill the Beast."





 

 

Immediately after Beauty and the Beast was finished Grace was cast in the lead role of Princess Briar-Rose in the non-Disney version of Sleeping Beauty. Grace got to experience a few firsts with this show. It was her first title role at the State Theatre and her first on-stage kiss.

Another first for Grace with this show was the need to "pull-off" on-stage chemistry! Her and Jeffrey did a great job! Although I do think they were merciless teased by all their home-school friends.

 

Her solo "Little Bird" was beautiful!!

It's not every day that a mother gets to witness her daughter's first kiss- and take a picture of it. I did not include that picture, but this one above is right before the big moment:)

But- I must add that an on-stage kiss is not the same as the real thing. Thankfully Grace and Jeffrey are good friends...and still are!

 

 

Another first with this show was that they performed for schools at The State. Grace has done many, many school shows at The Oxford, but never at The State and for that many kids. It was a hoot! Those kids were hilarious!!

 

 

 

During the last couple weeks of Sleeping Beauty, Grace was cast in her last show of the season. Little Women, the Musical, with the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild. Her first show with The Guild.

She got the role of Amy, the youngest March sister. In the musical version of this show they need an older actress to play Amy because the timeline spans a few years. So Amy starts as a young child and then grows to adulthood. Grace loves, loves, loves the book Little Women and just HAD to try out for this show.

 
 

Grace loved playing this character because Amy had an arc to her. It's more meaningful for Grace to be in a show where she can really put a lot of thought and skill into the character development. Grace was great as the bratty, annoying Amy! But just as great as the older, sophisticated Amy that she played later in the show.

 

 

 

And another first in her acting career....a wedding dress!

 

 



Starquest Winner....again!

Back in December of 2011 Grace competed in her first vocal talent competition. Starquest is held by the theatre where Grace does all the musicals that she has been in. She was 11 years old then and won in the 13 and under age group. Once you win, you cannot compete again until you reach the 14- 18 age group. Starquest 2014 was her first chance to compete to become the first person to win in both age categories. It was a very talented group of vocalists in her age group and a few were as old as 17 years. We are pleased to announce that she won....again! She sang the song "Astonishing" from the musical "Little Women." The great Broadway star Sutton Foster made the song famous (well, famous for those that love Broadway music.) And Grace did an amazing job singing this very difficult song.

The reining Miss Wisconsin, Raeanna Johnson, was the MC/Host for the night!

Click HERE to see the Youtube video of her winning performance!