Spring musical season just around the corner

This weekend, I saw green things poking out of the ground in my flower garden. I swear!

Forget that groundhog. Spring is coming!

And you know what that means — spring musical season is just around the corner! This space will soon be a busy one. But until then, try to catch one of the following productions still going strong.

Fine Arts Association

The Fine Arts Association in Willoughby continues performances of their annual youth production this weekend.

This year it is “Winnie-thePooh, and you can catch performances on Feb. 23 and March 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 24 and 25 and March 3 and 4 at 2 p.m. March 4 is a special sign-interpreted performance.

Tickets are reserved seating and are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and students 11 years and up, and $10 for children 10 years and under. This production is rated “G” and is family friendly.

“The students involved in this production are offering their talents as performers,” says director Justin Steck. “There is a great amount of talent on stage. We are also fortunate to have teens working backstage as part of our crew. The students have a wonderful attitude when in rehearsals and are committed to making this show a success.“

Steck has performed on the FAA stage and is a member of the staff, in addition to operating Garfield Heights Youth Theatre. His credits include “Seussical Jr.,” “Into the Woods Jr.,” and “Willy Wonka Jr.” at Garfield Heights. This is his first FAA youth production, and has directed adult performances as well including “The Odd Couple” and “Godspell.”

“To be perfectly honest,” Steck says, “I have learned there is not much of a difference in working with adults and kids. Both groups offer the same amount of dedication and passion which is critical when directing a show. The level of experience may differ naturally, but then again I have also worked with students that have more experience than adults.

“What I find most pleasing about working with young actors is that it gives me the chance to offer a lot of guidance,” Steck continues. “At a young age they are still learning so much and as a director I find myself responsible for making sure they have a wonderful experience. You want them to continue working in the theater.

“I’ve been surprised as to how fast the students have taken to the script. Most of the actors were quick to be off book and were quick to remembering their staging.”

Samuel Dworning is a 13-year-old student at Mayfield Middle School who enjoys piano, basketball, baseball, and his church youth group. He has appeared in productions such as “Scrooge!” “Once Upon a Mattress” and “The Little Mermaid.” Now he plays Pooh, the titular bear.

“Justin Steck has emphasized that he does not want this to be a toddler or little kid show,” Sam says. “He wants the audience to remember when they were children during the two hours that they are here at FAA. I hope that the lovable bear will shine through with his cute yet brave attitude. I would like the audiences to know that I thank God for this opportunity to play an awesome role. I am really excited how this show will turn out.”

“I enjoy the fact that this adaptation has the same amount of charm that we are used to seeing on page and on screen,” Steck says. “Audiences will enjoy seeing these beloved characters come to life right before them. ‘Winnie the Pooh’ takes me back to my childhood so in essence, every day at rehearsal I get the chance to be a kid again. Hopefully the audience can step back from their every day life and feel like a kid again while seeing our production.”

Hawken High School

The young thespians at Hawken High School in Gates Mills welcomed “Mary Poppins” last weekend. If you missed it, you still have a chance to catch it this weekend with performances on Feb. 23 and 24 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 25 at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets are available at the door with cash or online at www.hawken.edu/hps.

Senior Andrew Gerace plays Robertson Ay in addition to his duties as the student music director.

“I loved being able to help teach parts through the process, aid in musical decisions with the directing team, and being a connection to the run-crew and the cast,” Andrew says. “I also greatly enjoyed the process of learning the choreography for the show. ‘Mary Poppins’ has been Hawken’s first dance show for everyone involved, and it has been a challenging but rewarding experience adding this new element.”

In addition to having a student director, Andrew says the set is entirely student-designed as well. The cast also makes staging decisions alongside the director, and many aspects of music rehearsals are co-lead by students also.

“I think this approach embraces the real meaning of high school theater and brings high quality and unique shows as the students can truly express themselves throughout,” Andrew says.

He admits it is a challenge managing a cast of 47, but it has created for them new opportunities.

“With the program growing in size and strength, we have been able to accomplish all sorts of things we could never have dreamed of,” he says.

Watch the Hawken kids soar this weekend.

Young Thespians is a regular column that focuses on youth in theater. Do you have a production you wish to see featured? E-mail stevecouch@windstream.net, follow me @ StevenRCouch on Twitter or join our “Young Thespians” Facebook group and post your show information.