Servant Stage To Present "Jump, Jive, And Jukebox!"
Wally Calderon is overseeing the Servant Stage production of "Jump, Jive, and Jukebox!" with enthusiasm and energy. Not only is Calderon directing the nearly 30-member cast of teenagers, but he is the choreographer and the person who chose the 20 musical numbers that span the decades from the 1950s to the present and cover genres from rock to pop to Broadway with a special emphasis on the music of the 1980s thrown in. Perhaps, however, Calderon's most crucial role is that of teacher.
"I teach these students how to put all their gifts and talents together," noted Calderon. "It's a huge reward to see (students) learn to be supportive of one another ... and to see each student rise to the challenge."
Servant Stage's newest show will be performed in the Good Shepherd Chapel at Lancaster Bible College, 901 Eden Road, Lancaster, on Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19, at 3 and 7 p.m. each day. The show has also been slated to be performed during May at several area retirement communities, including Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community, Garden Spot Village, Luther Acres, and Calvary Fellowship Homes.
More than 80 students tried out to be part of the Servant Stage 2019 season, and Calderon believes the turnout was due to the many young people who were interested in the musical revue that he named "Jump, Jive, and Jukebox!" "It's a revue of anything you would want to hear when you put your quarter in the jukebox," explained Calderon. "There's a lot of variation," he stated, adding that "Wild Thing," "Footloose," and "Do You Love Me?" will be included, along with songs by New Kids on the Block and music from the Broadway hit "Hamilton." Calderon endeavors to add depth to each number to give audiences more than song and dance. "We find little stories within each song," he said. "It's acting first. The song was written for a reason, so let's try to tell a story within one song."
The intensive rehearsal process gave the cast members only a week to become familiar with the songs in the show before beginning rehearsals on March 24. "We meet each person where they are and push them a little farther in their training," said Calderon. "The talent is incredible, and I am just thrilled at what they have been able to accomplish in such a short time."
Students who are taking part in the show are responding to the technique. "I grew up doing dance and theater separately," said Mackenzie Neff. "Getting to do theater with dancing is kind of a dream. It helps all of us stretch ourselves."
"It's really challenging," noted Sydney Norgaard, who wanted to take part in the show after seeing her brother, Brayden, perform in last year's revue. "Once we're able to (perform) the number, it is satisfying. Teamwork plays a role in that."
Mackenzie is enjoying watching that process unfold as opening night approaches. "It's overwhelming to see all the talent coming together creating this," she said. "Watching everyone come together as a team supporting and challenging each other makes us more independent as performers."
Kolby Colmary, a veteran of several Servant Stage shows, noted that he loves that the show goes to nursing homes to reach people who cannot come to the theater.
Under Calderon's direction, the students have become acutely aware of how audiences respond to them. "You have to learn how to adapt how you're interacting to reach every audience," explained Isabel Subacz, who serves as dance captain for the show. Brayden agreed, saying, "It's so fun to see the audience's faces light up when they recognize the music and sing along."
Performances are open to the public on a pay-what-you-will basis. To reserve seats, readers may visit http://www.servantstagecompany.com or call 717-455-0255.
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