Youth is not wasted on the Muse Machine kids!

By Burt Saidel

Beginning its 25th year, this amazing concept of arts involvement, teamwork and spirit has proven itself.  It is one of the most enlightened and effective programs for youth development and, like so many great inventions, was born right here in the Miami Valley.

It was thrilling to have the voice of Muse Founder Suzy Bassani announce the annual summer musical and kick off this silver anniversary year.  Many of us remember Suzy’s brilliant ideas for making the arts live.  Of all her creations, The Muse Machine is the best and most enduring.

No statistics are needed to prove the worth of The Muse.  A look at the 200 kids on the stage and in the orchestra pit is more convincing than any statistic.  Shining faces and exuberant voices making great music are expected from our Musers.

What is not expected is the miracle that Nat Horne and David Düsing pull out of their magicians’ hats each year.  This season, the auditions for the summer musical were held two weeks before the performance!

Nat and David came to town with assistant choreographer Lula Elzy and piano sparkler Andrew Pester, and the magic began.  The kids, from veterans now in college to grade schoolers flocked to them for their group transformation into something vibrant and completely beautiful.

The show was, as always, spectacular.  Nat and David showcased the opening with a birthday cake and a sure-fire curtain raiser.  Veteran Musers Ryan Vallo and David Sherman showed, again, their fabulous “song and dance” artistry.

Last season, The Producers came to Dayton with a tired road show.  Ryan and David took one of the songs, “We Can Do It,” to the edge of comedy and cleverness.  What the Broadway producers should do is hire our Muse Machiners. They would have packed houses wherever they go.

The energy and the pace continued non-stop. The curtain opened behind Ryan and David to reveal a stage chock full of beautiful young people. Dressed in black and huge smiles, they belted out “Ragtime” with foot-stomping verve.

Next came scene after scene of hits. Many were unfamiliar but the first hearing by the Muse artists made each song indelible.   Comedienne/chanteuse Angelé Price can always sell a song and a character.  “Summer in Ohio” can’t be described but must be experienced.

Again, the full stage opened to a bevy of scurrying youngsters.  Some seemed under six, maximum perhaps twelve, all beautiful and levitating with their smiling enthusiasm.  Golden voiced Nick Spyker sang “Wick” from The Secret Garden while moving lovingly among the patterns of Muse Tykes.  It was an emotional spectacle.
Back to comedy, a sextet of delightful singing comedians led by Michael Wadham, Katie O’Neill and Oakwoodite Jasmine Al-Masri sang and acted “It Sucks to be Me” from Avenue Q.  Again, Broadway should hire our Musers!

The next two numbers were world-record.  Beautiful Oakwood graduate Danielle Heaton has won praise for her magnificent voice and stage presence.

She sang “As If We Never Said Goodbye” from Sunset Boulevard accompanied by dancers Sarah Hartman, Ruth Reveal, David Budde and Zachary King.  It was a production number worthy of the Great White Way.

While the mood of sheer beauty lingered, Danielle joined Muse and WSU star Matt Kopec in a hilarious parody of the romantic song, “The Song That Goes Like This” from Spamelot.  The parody worked to perfection shifting the audience’s heart throbbing into gales of laughter.

“Heart and Music” and “Seasons of Love” are high energy and musical fun.  Chris Carter, Alan Ruddy, Amber Fisher, Brittany Price made that energy.

Number after number followed. New music was introduced and well performed. The show nearly stopped when the soaring voiced Amber Fisher stood surrounded by the chorus, accompanied by dancer Alexandra Finke.  She sang the beautiful “Memory” from Cats as it should be sung.

The Muse Tykes took over the stage with “Green Eggs and Ham.  Patrick Stafford and Rachel Niemer sang thrilling solos.  Richard Marshall and Isaiah Templeton led the male ensemble in “Steppin’ to the Bad Side” from Dreamgirls.

The song spoke of youth’s problems in this complex world.  I can tell you that none of these gifted young artists, touched by the fire of beauty, will ever “step to the bad side.”  They know of giving, sharing, joy and enthusiasm for the splendor of life. This is the secret of the Muse Machine.  It is no secret, it is open to all. Why don’t more people in this troubled world listen to it?

Click to see article highlighting Burt's induction into Dayton Theatre Hall of Fame!

‘Joy of Drawing’ starts Sept. 5

Oakwood artist David L. Smith will be starting a new class on “the Joy of Drawing” starting Sept. 5 at the Oakwood Community Center. It will be open to residents or non-residents who seek to learn basic methods for expressing visual experiences. Mr. Smith was a regular contributor for many years with his periodic Oakwood Sketchbook.

Smith will also be teaching a Saturday afternoon watercolor class at the Dayton Art Institute starting Sept. 9 from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

WSU MAPPS scholarship auditions

The Wright State University Musical Theatre/Acting Preparatory Program (MAPP) announces that auditions for MAPP Youth Scholarships (ages 13-18) on Saturday, Aug. 26. MAPP will award talent-based scholarships to one male and one female for each of the fall, winter, and spring academic quarters during the 2006-07 MAPP academic year…a total of six scholarships.

Each recipient wil receive a Musical Theatre Package (1/2 hour private voice, acting scene study class, Broadway jazz dance class, tap class) for one 10 week quarter with MAPP.

Requirements for the scholarships are as follows: prepare one song from memeory (applicant must supply sheet music) and one monologue from memeory (no longer than two minutes in length). A scholarship application and entrance fee of $10 must be received by Aug. 18, 2006.

To receive a MAPP Youth Scholarship application, call Jamie Cordes, Administrator, at 775-3501 or e-mail jamie.cordes@wright.edu.

MVSO holding auditions Aug. 31

The Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Randall Paul, will be holding auditions for its 2006-07 season on Thursday, Aug. 31.

The orchestra is looking primarily for string players, but will audition any interested parties on that date.

If you are interested, please contact Felicia Bauman at: 937-476-5043.

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August 22, 2006
Volume 15, Number 34

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