“‘Little Mermaid’ a Big YES from Local Theater-Goers” - The Hinsdale Magazine
As reported by the The Hinsdale Magazine (Larry Atseff reporting) October, 2019:
The full Broadway version of “The Little Mermaid” performed at Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park in September by YES Productions (Young Entertainers Studio). The inaugural show included an ensemble cast of sixty performers ages 5 to 15. The play told the story of Ariel and her dream of leaving the sea for a life on land. Over 1100 tickets were sold to four shows in LaGrange Park over the first weekend in September.
Area theater-goers watched the cast’s first production and applauded the performances.
Elizabeth Haefele raved “Exceptional!” and Parita Singla (Hinsdale) exclaimed “Bravo!” Downers Grove resident, Lisa Rene, touted, “I saw both casts! Fantastic job by all! What a great first production! Looking forward to many more!
Maureen Corcoran Maslauskas (Downers Grove) also sent accolades to the theater troupe. “I attended both performances and wanted to let you know just how great all the kids were! They are all so talented.” Darien resident, Joan Brandies commented, “So much talent on stage and off. Wow! Amazing production!”
Kari Galassi, Founder and Executive
Producer said “YES is meant to be a feeder program to the area high school programs by giving young actors another opportunity to gain skills and spend time on stage.” Galassi said the first show was planned for early September to fill a gap between the end of
The ultimate goal is to educate the children and give our large you the theater community more opportunities as well as to bring all parts of District 86 together on a common project.
—KARI GALASSI, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
most local theater programs and the start of the new school year. “The ultimate goal is to educate the children and give our large youth theater community more opportunities as well as to bring all parts of District 86 together on a common project.”
The Hinsdale resident and mother of three added, “Most of the sports feeder programs feed into either Hinsdale Central
or Hinsdale South. Our focus was to build a program that would have participants from the entire district.”
Galassi learned quickly how much work goes into a production as she assembled an experienced team of local professionals behind her, including Hinsdale South alum Grace Govostis, director of the The Little Mermaid play. The entire tech crew of lights and sound were also recent Hinsdale South graduates. Carlos Lopez and Mackenzie Lancor managed sound and Kenny Impastato ran lighting.
“Our assistant director, Ellie Banke is a recent graduate from Downers Grove North. Two of the team’s interns are current Hinsdale central students. Lauren Witt focused on communications and Molly Bruns focused on photography and social media. I knew going in it was going to be a matter of putting the right team in place and we were able to recruit top talent from D86 and beyond,” Galassi reflected.
With the success of the first show under their belts, Galassi said she and the rest of the management team already are exploring their next project. They are considering a Christmas
show choir and another summer production.
Original story can be found at: https://issuu.com/hinsdalemagazine/docs/hinsdale_magazine_october_2019_issue_vol._9_issue_/s/149308
