Theatre
(From left) Carolyn Hight, Caroline Sopp, Josie Brody, Ellie O'Callaghan, Angela Hayes, and Madison Moreis as the Pease daughters in "Nancy Luce: The Musical." Photos by Ralph Stewart
On the summer stage
By Anna Marie D'Addarie - August 30, 2007
All summer long Linda Berg and her staff have brought the magic of live theatre to children. Island Theatre Workshop's (ITW) Children's Theatre has just closed the curtain on another successful camp, the last of four this summer with the original production, "Nancy Luce: The Musical." Ms. Berg, the organist and choir director at the First Congregational Church of West Tisbury, has been the Children's Theatre director for the past two years and worked as its musical director for more than 12 years.
Dr. Luce (Jon-Michael Reese), no relation to the title character, and Nancy Luce (Katie Mayhew) in last weekend's Children's Theatre production.
Each camp session performs an original musical, most written by Ms. Berg. Last weekend's Nancy Luce show was written by Dana K. Anderson, with the musical score by Ms. Berg. Other shows this summer included one about a greedy king who sang, "There's Never Enough;" a play about two warring families, "Bone of Contention," where they are fighting over, what else, a bone; and "The Journey of the Odyssey" about people finding their other half. Ms. Berg said they have enjoyed large audiences for each show.
This year, Tessa Permar, a high school student, acted as choreographer and Ms. Berg said the children loved her. According to Ms. Berg, Ms. Permar was an excellent teacher who wrote creative dances.
Next summer ITW's Children's Theatre will celebrate their 40th anniversary. Look for more original musicals as the staff teaches the craft of theatre to eager children.
