RTC Dares to Dream With Disney Revue

By Dan Guarino

The Rockaway Theatre Company’s (RTC’s) Young People’s Theatre Workshop is ready to bring a century of Disney’s classic music to the stage with “Dare To Dream Jr.”, opening on Friday, January 9, at 7 p.m.

“‘Dare To Dream’ is a Disney musical revue that covers over 100 years of music from 20 Disney films,” said its co-director, Susan Corning. “The theme focuses on one of Walt Disney’s famous quotes- ‘All dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.’”

The show will run from January 9 to January 14, at the RTC’s John Gilleece Theatre at Fort Tilden. Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays, January 9/10 and 16/17 at 7 p.m. and Sundays, January 11 and 18 at 2 p.m. Tickets, at $12.62 each, can be purchased at www.rockawaytheatrecompany.org.

“It is essentially a love letter to imagination,” co-director Mia Melchiorri said.

Corning adds, it “takes place in a fictional Disney Imagineering Studio, where a group of Junior Imagineers have arrived to begin their training. The studio mentors encourage each student to dig down deep and think about their dreams and how to achieve them.”

The Disney company itself describes its Imagineers, the workers “from artists to architects, scientists to show producers, project managers to programmers, model makers to mathematicians” and more, as the “talent behind the magic.”

Specifically written and designed for younger performers, Disney notes “Dare To Dream Jr.” features a number of “songs appearing for the first time ever in a Disney stage musical… This musical revue is a thrilling mix of contemporary songs, timeless classics, and brand-new medleys that are sure to surprise and delight Disney lovers of all ages.”

Many songs will be familiar, others long remembered, and some will be a new and pleasant surprise. Within this compact show are numbers like

“A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes,” “Be Our Guest,” “When You Wish Upon a Star,” “Part of Your World,” “Let It Go,” “You’ve Got A Friend In Me,” “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” “Hakuna Matata,” “Bare Necessities” and the bouncy appropriately titled “Nonsense Medley.”

Presented as solos, duets, trios and group numbers, many of the songs are also crafted into overlapping medleys, complete with staging flourishes and choreography.

“This show has 20 musical numbers,” Corning explains, which have also “been beautifully choreographed by the incredible Erech Holder-Hetmeyer.” As the choreographer for RTC’s “Dare To Dream Jr.,” she said, he “has taken these teens to new levels in theatrical dance and challenges.” Two of her own favorite numbers include “Try Everything” and “Surface Pressure.”

Filling the brightly hand-painted stage, itself arched with subtle silhouetted Disney imagery (even Mickey Mouse makes an appearance on its steps), is a group of young performers singing, acting and dancing with exuberant energy.

Corning says, “This year, we are very lucky to have 40 very talented teens in our program, who range from 13-17 years old. I personally feel that ‘Dare To Dream’ is one of the most challenging shows we have attempted. During every single workshop class and rehearsal, these teens are a joy to work with, watching them grow and experience the magic of the theatre.”

With this, RTC’s “Dare To Dream Jr.,” is not just a show, but rather an ongoing workshop which introduces young performers to all areas of professional theatre production. RTC’s “Annie Jr.,” which premieres in February and works with performers 12 and under, is also part of RTC’s long running, very successful Young People’s Theatre Workshop. Melchiorri herself started in the program at age 6. Likewise, many actors there have gone on to appear in RTC’s mainstage productions and even in professional theatre roles on and off Broadway.

Since September, students in the workshop have been trained weekly by talented and experienced performers, directors, musicians and more. Melchiorri cites herself and co-director Corning as ongoing program collaborators of “Dare To Dream,” along with Holder-Hetmeyer as choreographer, “Jodee Timpone and Rich Louis Pierre as our music/vocal directors, Ashley Chico on costumes, Adele Wendt as program admin/stage manager and Alannah Fabry as our general support! It’s a DREAM TEAM,” she says, as each member takes a hands-on role in honing the young actors’ stage and production knowledge and skills.

“It is a pleasure to work alongside this team,” she notes. “We are truly a unit and are all equal in our pursuit to create an unforgettable experience for our kids! This cast is stellar. All of the kids are so supportive and kind to one another; fostering a sense of community and belonging from our RTC veteran teens to the newest additions to the program!”

Melchiorri adds the team takes “a ‘process versus product’ based approach to teaching in this program.” Going beyond gearing up for an individual show, she says, “It is about the journey just as much as it is about the performances.

“Everyone on the team is dedicated to ensuring that every student gets as much out of the program as possible. Erech has been challenging the students with complex choreo, all while maintaining a positive and encouraging attitude. Students had the opportunity to audition for solos in some of the songs and Rich and Jodee afforded so many newer students with the opportunity to shine! Susan and I work to have students input their own ideas and thoughts regarding the emotional state of a character and to have them take ownership over their roles in the show. I feel that we truly teach that theater is larger than an individual person and that it takes an entire ensemble to create a piece of theater.”

As they prepare for opening night, Melchiorri reminds the assembled cast, “It’s a Disney show. It’s got to be big! It’s got to be expressive!”

To the audience, already snapping up “Dare To Dream Jr.” tickets, Corning said, “This is a Disney spectacular musical show that sends a wonderful message about taking a chance and working hard to achieve your dreams!”

Photos by Dan Guarino.