Casting Call Winners’ Alhambra Debut Set for January 30
Exciting Night Will Feature Free Radio Disney Party for
Fans of High School Musical
(Jacksonville, FL) – There will be a red carpet. There will be bright lights. There will be paparazzi behind red velvet ropes. The crowd will roar. The bulbs will flash. And from a stretch limousine, three kids -- two barely teenagers and one not even close -- will enter the Alhambra Theatre, not as fans of Disney’s smash hit musical, but this time as the show’s main attraction.
Joshua Johnson, 11, of Julington Creek, Caylin Housley, 13, of Fernandina, and Tasia Bosch, 13, of Atlantic Beach, outperformed more than 100 child actors, dancers and singers in the Alhambra’s first-ever open casting call on Monday, December 28, and they will participate together for one night in Alhambra’s presentation of Disney’s High School On Stage. Open to child performers between the ages of 8 and 14, contestants were invited to demonstrate their own performance strength in front of five judges, including veteran actor/director Tony Triano, Alhambra General Manager Tod Booth, Managing Partner Craig Smith, Dancer/choreographer Alexis Stanford and local Radio Disney Promotion Director Tod Loomis. All judges will be on hand when, after a month of anticipation and a solid week of after-school rehearsals, the three hand-picked child actors join the Alhambra cast during a real performance in front a full house.
And the performance is just part of their Alhambra debut. Their big night will be celebrated in true Radio Disney style with a two-hour pre-party open to the public -- “Radio Disney Night at the Alhambra.” The party will start at 4:30 in front of the Alhambra and will feature music, games, HSM prize giveaways and appearances by the Alhambra HSM cast members who will
perform, sign autographs and take pictures with the fans. Party-goers will have a chance to register to win an official High School Musical Electric Guitar signed by the Alhambra cast as well as tickets to a future Alhambra showing of HSM. The party will culminate at approximately 6:00 PM at the front door when Josh, Caylin and Tasia make their entry in their limousine. While tickets are available for that night’s show, one doesn’t have to be attending the show to come to the party. It is open for free to the general public.
“We wanted this to be a celebration for the Alhambra, the cast and especially these three very talented young actors,” said new Alhambra Managing Partner, Craig Smith. “We’re inviting anyone who wants to come to the party to come and celebrate with us, whether they’re coming to the show that night or not. We hope to be sold out, and if we have tickets we’ll make them available, but the party beforehand is free. It’s something we’ve never done, and I’m really looking forward to it.”
And the three winners aren’t the only ones fired up for the show. Josh’s mother has more than 30 people coming to the theatre, many from as far away as Barbados. “This is a big night for Josh – for all the kids,” said Dr. Kimberly Johnson, Joshua’s mom. “He’s been practicing. He’s excited about rehearsals. He’s really looking forward to the show, the night and working with the girls. It’s been a great experience for all of us, and we wanted to share it with as much of our family as we can get here.” While the Johnson’s live in the Julington Creek area, their family is from Barbados. In fact, rather than going to Barbados for Christmas Break, Josh, a fifth grader at Jacksonville Beach Elementary elected to stay in Jacksonville for the casting call.
“I’ll be honest, this started as a unique way to launch a new show” said Craig Smith. He continued, “but our mindset changed when we saw more than 100 kids waiting in line, and changed even further when we saw the talent that these kids brought to the casting room. It transformed into a real audition, and Josh, Caylin and Tasia really brought down the house. I cannot wait to see them take the stage.”
Disney’s High School Musical On Stage runs through March 7, 2010. Call the box office or visit www.alhambrajax.com for dates, show times and purchase details. A limited number of tickets are still available for the January 30 show. Doors open at 6:00 and the curtain rises at 8:00. Dinner is served from 6:45 to 7:45. The Radio Disney party starts at 4:30 and will end at approximately 6:30. It is free to the public.
