Columnist Muriel Stevens: Young talent on display at Greenspun Junior High

Tuesday, April 7, 1998 | 10:52 a.m.

"There's no business like show business" was not one of the songs performed by members of the Drama Club of Greenspun Junior High School School, but the spirit of the song was evident throughout the program performed recently by drama teacher Mary Johnson's Drama Club. "Scenes, Song and Dance" was a stunning display of budding young talent.

The program, conceived by the students, included a piano medley from "Phantom of the Opera" played by Caitlin Hudgins; a solo by Margalit Kessler in an ensemble piece -- "America" -- from "West Side Story"; and a solo by Luke Adamo during the same number. Having seen the original "West Side Story" when it opened in New York, and the movie, I was captivated by how well the players captured the meaning and the moves of the original. Working on a small stage in the Little Theater, they danced and sang with the gusto and passion of professionals.

Carly Johnson's Latin jazz dance was another passionate performance. Dressed in a sparkly red jumpsuit, she filled the stage with her sensational dance. "Grotesque Love Songs" were sung by "Sara" -- the fledging performer is already anticipating stardom with the single name billing she prefers.

Ashley Debusk and Nick Miller brought down the house with their side-by-side counterpoint monologues, "Guys Are Scum" and "What's Wrong With Teenage Girls?"

The first act ended with a blow-away performance by Jackie Miller, who sang "Big Time" as if she were a seasoned veteran of the torch song era. So delightful was her time on stage that it was a surprise to later learn that she was, in the truest tradition of the stage, performing with a bad throat.

The Academy Award-winning song from the movie "Titanic" -- "My Heart Will Go On" -- was sweetly sung by Lisa Easly, while lovely, petite Jenna Mooney danced. It was a tender scene.

Scenes and songs from the film "My Best Friend's Wedding" provided a rousing end to the show. Solo turns by Jocelyn Jones and Anthony Buendia (Kathy and Joe), Jackie Zwerner ("Wishin' and Hopin") and Sunshine Whitney ("Let's Talk About Love"), were all well done. The ensemble Church Scene was another highlight. The finale included the entire cast belting out "Let's Talk About Love."

Drama teacher Johnson received a bouquet of roses from her students and bouquets of appreciation from the audience for such a terrific production.

Kudos too, to student director Tiffany Brown-Jones, advisors Jan Hanks and Cathy Yuckovic, light and sound operators Cassie Catania and Amanda Delvalle; and to those unsung heroes of any stage production -- the stage crew. Kristy Muniz, Jennifer Waddups and Sheri Tannenbaum pushed, pulled and carried the props like pros.

The Drama Club performance did more than entertain. The show was a fund-raiser in memory of 8-year old Joshua Nathan Eaton, who died Oct. 18 from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Joshua's aunt, Angel Trujillo, is a teacher at Greenspun JHS, and is the Human Relations Club advisor. The Drama Club is contributing money to the Human Relations Club, which will turn it over to the Make A Wish Foundation. The Foundation is dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of critically ill children.

More GJHS

At the end of the show, drama teacher Johnson announced that all of the senior Greenspun JHS students who had applied to the Academy of Performing Arts High School had been accepted.

Look out Broadway, they're on their way!

Remembering Las Vegas

Las Vegas Public Radio, KNPR 89.5 FM, will air a special 10-part series, "The Las Vegas I Remember," that should be of interest to newcomers as well as longtime Las Vegans.

The series features highlights from an oral history project commissioned by the Nevada Humanities Committee, Clark County Parks and Recreation and the Las Vegas Rotary Club. Listen to the series from April 20 through May 1 at 6:30 and 8:20 a.m.

It's a fascinating journey back in time from the mouths of such illustrious pioneers as Florence Murphy, Si Redd, George Von Tobel, Larry Johns and Bob Maheu. Lengthy interviews were conducted with all the participants. Among the many colorful tales is one by Max Kelch about selling the Chamber of Commerce on the idea of tourism. Did you know there was once a Miss Atomic Bomb, or that Franciscan nun Rosemary Lynch was a nuclear bomb protester? The annual Helldorado parade and celebration may now be in danger of disappearing, but the story of how it came to be is a good one.

The difficult task of deciding what pieces of the priceless interviews would be used in the series fell to KNPR producer Tim Anderson. "There are no historians in this series, he said. "You can't find these stories in books. This is the way things happened, told by the people who were involved."

Just listen to Laura Belle Kelch as she reminisces about Las Vegas in 1940 -- "Oh, it was just a cowboy town -- 8,700 people. Now we could fit them all in one hotel, and include our horses."

The complete oral history series will be donated to museums and archives in and around Las Vegas.

More KNPR

The history of our public radio station would make a good story, too. We all owe KNPR leader Lamar Marchese a debt of gratitude for his persistence and dedication to bringing public radio to our community. All things considered, he should probably get a medal for making it happen.

KNPR is currently constructing a new 15,000 square foot facility on the Charleston campus of the Community College of Southern Nevada. The new studio/ administrative building is scheduled to open in May.

The old building on the grounds of Sam's Town will probably become just another remembrance for future oral histories.