Photos courtesy
Heydi Vazquez
The Learning Castle
The Learning Castle and La Cañada Preparatory’s Performing Arts Department presented their annual spring production, “Broadway Junior Revue 2: The Next Level,” before near-capacity crowds at La Canada Flintridge’s own Lanterman Auditorium on March 23.
The revue comprised scenes from seven musicals: “Annie,” “Frozen,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Moana,” “Encanto” and “Hamilton.” Each grade level, starting with third, took on a musical or two with a different cast for each of the two performances.
The production featured director and LCP administrator Justin Whalin, co-director/musical director and TLC music teacher Kristin Maitlen, and choreographers and TLC/LCP dance teachers Rakkell Villagomez and Michael Villagomez.
Produced by TLC/LCP principal Terry Villanueva, “Broadway Junior Revue 2: The Next Level,” ran for two performances and incorporated more than 430 students in two casts. The annual musical is made possible by the financial support of TLC and LCP’s annual Giving Campaign and the Strait Up Foundation.
“After the success of last year’s show, we wanted to continue giving performance opportunities to as many of our students as possible,” said director Whalin. “By picking seven different musicals and having two separate casts in two different performances, we were able to create leading roles for over 70 students!”
The title role in “Annie” was played by Duaa Qureshi and Delsa Akmal. Pepper was played by Arina Avagyan and Charlotte Whalin, Kate was played by Ariana Kurestian and Maneh Ovsepyan, July was played by Victoria Avakyan and Emmy Kiureghian, and Miss Hannigan was played by Angelina Sanchez and Iva Isayan.
In “Frozen,” Emma Sarkisyan and Jewel Lee played young Anna, Mila Teratonians and Lianna Kiramijyan played young Elsa, Emily Armirian and Nicholas Gasparian played Olaf, and Celesia Kupelian and Zoe Lund played snow flurries. Julia Kuzoyan and Rebecca Whalin played Anna, Kate Dekermanji, Sarah Chammas, Dannika Vartanian and Evelyn Abraham played Elsa, and Nicole Manukyan, Sophie Avagyan and Natasha Karapetian played the handmaidens.
For “Moana,” Danyela Tavanian, Arina Pashayan, Katherine Abraham, Chloe Babaian, Sarah Chammas and Farah Mashhoud played the title character, Mathew Harutunians played Chief, Anais Rupchian and Isla Youssefian played Sina, Caroline Schroeder and Anais Rupchian played Pua, Jacqueline Grigoryants and Ava C. Avakian played Heihei, and Caesar Hu played Maui.
In “The Little Mermaid,” Alexandra Oganesyan and Natalie Abraham played Ariel, Zoya Quereshi and Anahit Matevosyan played Ursula, Sofia Shah, Julia Yen and Caitlin Au played the eels.
For “Beauty and the Beast,” Belle was played by Giuliana Mirzaians and Delilah Mashhoud, Gaston was played by Ben Kuzoyan, La Fou was played by Arina Vahramyan and Christian Lund, Silly Girls were played by Camille Danoukh, Leila Morvarid, Natalie Abraham, Jasmen Madadyan and Rebekah Kim. In “Encanto,” Elena Markov played Mirabelle, Delilah Mashhoud and Giuliana Mirzaians played Isabelle, Leila Morvarid played Dolores, Camille Danoukh played Peppa, Leonna Torosyan played Felix, and Marie Arzumanyan played Bruno.
The final scene of the night was from “Hamilton.” Simon Pogosyan played the title role, Marie Arzumanyan played George Washington, Giuliana Mirzaians played Thomas Jefferson, Pavel Markov played Aaron Burr, Gu Cordara played John Laurens, and Delilah Mashhoud, Camille Danoukh and Leila Morvarid played the Schuyler sisters.
Others who helped make the production possible were Mark Seibert of Lanterman Auditorium, facility management; Christine Michael, props and set pieces; Gohar Abramyan, costumes; Heydi Vazquez, photography and videography; and Scott Albright, technical direction.
“We pride ourselves on our academic programs, but we also believe that the performing arts are a fundamental component of a well-rounded education,” said Villanueva. “Each year I’m astounded by the wide array of talent on display.”
The Learning Castle and La Cañada Preparatory are private schools for 4-year-olds through eighth graders located on the site of the former FIS campus at 4490 Cornishon Avenue in La Cañada.
First published in the April 4 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
