It’s the summer musical in Randolph, Vermont…one day before showtime. It’s been an annual event at Chandler Music Hall for over twenty years, and this year they’re putting on Footloose. And honestly? It feels like the whole town is involved. Like it takes every last person in Randolph to pull this thing off…again. To put on a full musical with up to 120 kids, in three weeks? It’s a miracle.
I spent an afternoon talking with some of the kids backstage, about their lives in musical theater. And even though we were sitting on the floor in a Xerox room, they were willing to sing songs from the show…from their hearts. This is theater magic. Welcome.
Thank you SO MUCH to Kelly Green, associate producer on this show. Also Ramsey Papp for her help and guidance. And thanks also to my wonderful sponsor, Honey Road. The best restaurant in Burlington. Click below to read about the menu…
Toj Marceau as Cranston
Reagan Papp as Willard
Soo awesome! Summer Theatre rocks. Thanks Erica for another great show. Bess
Love these young people. They’re inspired … to go to Broadway, to stick near Randolph where they’re happy, to become dentists…. Musical theater is inspirational, and these kids get it. Thank you, Erica. We know you have a little such inspiration yourself!
Great show Erica!
Thank you Jeremy! Fun to hear from you! Will be hearing again from you soon….right around deer season…
I KNEW this would be a good episode, and was rewarded with a rare affirmation of a prediction! I heard some of my favorite people being interviewed and I am ecstatic that a wider audience might get an appreciation of this most-Vermont enterprise. The play itself is a little piece of small town magic, as the older kids bring along the younger year after year and the parents and casual citizens chip in with their labor and creativity to make sets and create a consistently amazing production. The kids are pros in the making… they soldier through, behave themselves, stretch their skills, and confront their fears. Some shine like floodlamps! My favorite annual Vermont event. Can’t wait for next year. And your episode, Erica, does it fine service. Count me a big fan, and thanks for doing such a great job telling people about this in your special way. Good work.
I sobbed in the car on my way to work this morning listening to this episode. Those delightful, self-possessed, talented kids! It was so Vermont.
This sentiment exactly! I love these kids with all my heart.
I live in Randolph, so I know a lot of these kids. What an amazing effort to put on that show every year. The interviews with the kids and the beauty of their signing on the spot literally brought tears to my eyes. I couldn’t believe the maturity of some of the younger kids who were interviewed. Listening to this gave me hope for the future of Vermont and the world. Thanks for visiting our town!!
The pleasure was all mine. I could’ve interviewed those kids for a year and not have gotten enough.