Show-tune summer

More than 30 youth and teen dancers locked arms and slithered across

the stage, while singing a classic George Gershwin tune. Artistic

director Jimmy Hippenstiel danced along with the summer students at

the Musical Theatre Academy of Orange County’s Summer on Broadway

program.

And he still managed to notice when a performer was out of step.

“This is correct. This is incorrect. This is really incorrect,”

Hippenstiel said as he shuffled his feet and moved to the piano

music.

In just two weeks, Hippenstiel and other instructors at the

academy’s summer program taught the 8- to 18-year-old performers a

list of show tunes and staged an hourlong revue for the students’

parents to see.

After spending the morning on vocal training, Hippenstiel took the

young performers through every choreographed move.

“He has the patience of Job with these kids,” said Ruth Gottuso,

the assistant business manager at the academy. “What makes us

different from many programs is that we have a more academic feel.

There is a lot of teaching going on.”

That formula has worked for the Newport Beach-based academy since

1994, when it went from a children’s chorus group to a nonprofit

organization that specializes in musical theater instruction.

Throughout the year, the academy offers classes for Orange County

youngsters ages 6 to 18. Divided by their age group, academy students

perform in four shows per year -- typically one in January and one in

June.

Summer on Broadway consists of three two-week programs, at a

different location. Students are performing until late August at

Costa Mesa High School.

At the end of each session, campers put on the Broadway-style

review.

Nine-year-old Costa Mesa resident Eve Morris said the program has

helped her feel more comfortable on stage. Instructors convinced her

to expand her vocal range, asking her to switch from alto to soprano.

Hailey Tweter, a Newport Coast resident working backstage during

this camp session, has performed in Summer on Broadway productions in

past years.

“I’ve always had a passion for singing,” Hailey said. “It’s nice

to form friendships with other kids. It’s a very talented group, and

we all want to be here.”

Hailey said she has watched many performers improve drastically

during the current program.

Gottuso said she enjoys seeing the development of former academy

students when they begin acting in high school and in college.

“It validates what we are doing,” she said. “It encourages us to

keep on with our programs.”

Over the past decade, the program has built a solid base of

alumni. For the first time, the Musical Theatre Academy of Orange

County is inviting some of them back to perform.

The musical gala will be a fundraiser for the academy, with money

going toward program improvements and student scholarships.

Gottuso, the gala chairman, said tonight’s program will feature a

combination of academy alumni and current students. They will join

each other on stage to sing a collection of show tunes.

IF YOU GO

* WHAT: Musical Theatre Academy of Orange County presents “A Night

on the Town” gala

* WHEN: 7 p.m. today

* WHERE: Costa Mesa High School, 2650 Fairview Road

* COST: $25

* CALL: (949) 955-3737, or purchase tickets at the door

* ELIA POWERS is the enterprise and general assignment reporter.

He may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or by e-mail at

[email protected].