Presented by Promise Adelaide
Reviewed 19 August 2017
Promise Adelaide is a not-for-profit organisation founded by a young Adelaide rising star himself, Ben Francis. The company’s aim is two fold: to promote and encourage young South Australian stars of tomorrow by showcasing their talent; at the same time, raising much needed monies for various charities. This time around the show was entitled Rising Stars featuring songs from stage and screen (and a couple from television), collecting donations for the Starlight Foundation.
Co-directed by Francis (18) and Annabel Lane (19), musically directed by Serena Martino-Williams (19) and choreographed by Eliza Payze (19), the cast consisted of Alyssa Tacano (14), Annabelle Moran (12), Charlie Mille (14), Charlotte Van Zuydam (13), Deon Martino-Williams (14), Grace Pasalidis (13), Holly Abbott (11), Isla Zorkovic (12), Kate Neville (14), Sebastien Skubala (14) and Zara Blight (11), with Guest Performers Alana Iannace (14), Ethan Schembri (14) and Sophia Thompson (14).
Initially, on Opening Night, there were some nerves floating about, which is perfectly understandable when one realises that many of these young people have not performed to an audience before, or if they have, then usually only in groups and not as solo performers. However, the colly-wobbles soon disappeared when they saw ‘old hand’ Ethan Schembri take to the stage with Don’t You Forget About Me (from The Breakfast Club). Schembri is a true professional, having appeared last year in the Adelaide professional version of The Sound Of Music playing one of the two Friedrich Von Trapp’s. Not only can he sing and sell a song, but he tap dances and plays a mean sax (thanks to being taught by the Maestro himself, James Morrison) as well.
From then on, these rising young stars shone brightly. From the whole cast suavely Putting On The Ritz, through Sebastien Skubala having the place rocking with La Bamba, little Isla Zorkovic belting out Don’t Rain On My Parade (Funny Girl) to beat out Barbra Streisand, and Deon Martino-Williams giving Ol’ Blue Eyes a run for his money with New York, New York, through to the whole cast performing I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing – and they could.
Watch out for these young rising stars in a Galaxy or firmament near you!
Reviewed by Brian Godfrey
Twitter: @briangods
Season Ended
Photo Credit: Mason Digital Photography
Disclaimer: Ben Francis is a reviewer for Glam Adelaide’s Arts section
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