WCT Kidz to make debut with ‘Nifty Fifties’
When Washington Community Theatre Inc. decided to take a different approach for its summer show and perform “Urinetown,” unfortunately, there were no roles for children.
But there was no reason to fret.
To the rescue came the board of directors, which, for the first time in WCT’s 43-year history, agreed to organize a children’s theater program.
And on Thursday, WCT Kidz will make their public debut with “The Nifty Fifties” at Rock Student Center in Houston. Show times are 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday.
“The summer show usually is family-friendly, but the director wanted to try something different,” said Summerlea Klinar, who is serving in her first year as president of the board.
“There were no kids involved in ‘Urinetown,’ and we wanted to keep them involved and interested in theater,” she said. “I have two kids, and I knew they would be bummed not being in ‘Urinetown.'”
Klinar said a children’s theater program has been on the board’s “radar for the last five years,” so it made perfect sense to take the plunge when “Urinetown” was the production of choice.
“Honestly, that’s what prompted us to jump in,” she said.
Traditionally, a handful of kids try out for WCT performances, with some productions, like “Music Man,” “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Mary Poppins” drawing a large number of children for tryouts. “There were 25 to 30 kids in ‘Mary Poppins,’ and we did not want to lose them,” Klinar said.
So, before the word got out about “Urinetown,” WCT announced that it would be starting a kids program – and the response was phenomenal.
“It’s been great. We hit the ground running,” Klinar said. “We had over 40 kids come out for the show. We got a lot of kids back and a lot of new kids.”
The cast consists of 36 children ranging in age from 6 to 15. Most of the kids are from the Canon-McMillan, McGuffey, Trinity and Washington school districts.
“Oh, they’re super excited,” Klinar said. “Usually in the summer show, kids get some lines. They are running the whole show and are having a blast.”
Melissa Voytek, who has done children’s theater before as well as this show, is serving as director, and Elaine Frost, a charter member of WCT, is the musical director.
“Elaine’s been with WCT since the beginning. She is an institution of WCT,” Klinar said. “There’s a lot of music, and the kids are even doing harmonies. They sound amazing.”
Klinar has been involved with WCT for 10 years, and has served on the board for five. She is a graduate of Trinity High School, where she performed in musicals.
“I liked being on stage,” said Klinar, who now has a behind-the-scenes role with WCT Kidz. “This has been a lot of work, but it’s been fun.”
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger, and can be purchased by calling 724-503-4776. There also are a limited number of tickets available online at www.washingtoncommmunitytheatre.org.