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NEWS
'Alexander' kicks off Jeslyn run
The First Stage Theatre Company performance of "Alexander, Who's Not Not Not Not Not Not Going to Move" is conducted Sunday, March 22, 2009, at the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center.
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HUNTINGTON -- More than a dozen young thespians took to the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center stage in downtown Huntington this weekend to sing, dance and show off their talents at the former Camelot Theater.
The First Stage Theatre production of "Alexander, Who's Not Not Not Not Not Not Going to Move" will be presented several more times in the next week. Performances are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. There also are two performances for local school children Thursday.
"It's a great experience for them," said Chuck Minsker, director of the musical comedy about a recalcitrant boy who really doesn't want to move to a new town a thousand miles away when his dad gets a new job. "It helps build their confidence. These kids have no fear. When they do something like this, it makes it easier to get up and speak in front of their class."
Andrew Edwards, 12, practiced two months to learn all the lines and the songs required of him to play the lead role.
"I was scared opening night, but not now," said the Barboursville Middle School student. "I'm more confident. It's fun. You get to meet new people." Edwards has been in two other productions for First Stage.
First Stage has done three plays this season, Minsker said. They did "Peter Pan" last fall and just finished "Charlotte's Web" last week. "We do two or three each season," he said.
The cast from "Charlotte's Web" were among the crowd Sunday afternoon to watch the show. Carolyn Fornash of Huntington brought her children to the show. Her son, Nathaniel, 9, was in both "Peter Pan" and "Charlotte's Web."
"He just fell in love with it," she said. "It gives kids a chance to do things, and it teaches them about the arts."
Or, in Nathaniel's words, "It was awesome."
Justin Hesson, 13, another Barboursville Middle School student, wants to be an actor when he grows up.
"This is my first show, but I want to do more," he said. "I like singing, and I like plays."
