Initiative Aims to Expose Young Audience to Musical Theatre
The ASCAP Foundation Children Will Listen program, which is designed to introduce the American Musical Theatre to youngsters who might otherwise not have the opportunity to experience it, brought over 110 sixth graders from the East Fordham Academy for the Arts (EFAA), located in the Bronx, to the April 7, 2010 matinee performance of West Side Story, written by Tony and Grammy Award-winning ASCAP members, lyricist Stephen Sondheim and composer Leonard Bernstein. Arthur Laurents who wrote the original book directs this current production.
EFAA offers a perfect learning environment for the Children Will Listen program. The school’s motto, “Where arts and academics meet in excellence,” expresses the philosophy of a school that provides a challenging, integrated arts college exploratory curriculum that develops maximum academic potential through creative expression and exploration of the arts. "The school is really founded on the principle that arts are the foundation for academic and social success," said Principal Tanicia Williams. Students study visual arts, music, dance, and theatre in 6-week cycles. Arts are infused into all subject areas.”
On March 25th, ASCAP Foundation staff, along with West Side Story cast member John Arthur Greene, who plays Riff in the Broadway cast, met with the students at the school to discuss the show, the creative process and to help the students in connecting themes and issues to their own lives.
The ASCAP Foundation provided free transportation to and from EFAA, and free orchestra tickets to the students. For many, this was their first opportunity to see a full Broadway production and to participate in an interactive discussion of the show with members of the cast following the performance.
“The ASCAP Foundation is delighted to introduce the next generation of music lovers and creators to the masters of the musical theatre. Their individual experiences and current life situations enable the students to bring a fresh new perspective to a classic like West Side Story, whose universal theme still holds so much relevance in today’s society. There is nothing more important to the future of the musical theatre than bringing children to experience for themselves -- in many cases, for the first time -- the music, singers, dancers, costumes and staging. We are proud to do our part to encourage this opportunity,” remarked Karen Sherry, Executive Director of The ASCAP Foundation.
The ASCAP Foundation Children Will Listen program was established -- in honor of ASCAP member, Stephen Sondheim, composer/lyricist of Sweeny Todd, Company and A Little Night Music -- in 2005 to bring the musical theatre experience to young students nationwide. The program was named for one of the songs from his musical, Into the Woods.
