No time for butterflies at Oliver! audition

Her name was called and Rachel Jackson stepped right into character.

Unaccompanied but with choreography and facial expression, she let loose, "What good is sitting alone in your room? Come hear the music play!"

The 9-year-old Genoa girl even had a touch of tremolo in the long notes as she sang "Cabaret" at Saturday's audition for the musical "Oliver!," which will be June's production by the Western Nevada Musical Theater Youth Company.

About 120 people filled Sara Winnemucca Hall at Western Nevada Community College for the tryouts. Some were parents, but most were youngsters looking for parts.

They were talented youngsters, mostly, and many had experience in local musicals.

If Rachel gets cast, it will be her first play, but she has performed at Carson Valley Christian Center. Older sisters Dena, 12, and Jennifer, 15, both had roles in the theatre's production of "Annie Get Your Gun" and other local plays and musicals. They also auditioned for "Oliver!"

Tara Rispin, 12, of Dayton, said she has been in "Annie, Babes in Toyland ... oh, a lot!"

Marc Cerruti, of Minden, had quite a list of credits for a 12-year-old: "Les Misirables," "The Jungle Book," "Guys and Dolls," "Babes in Toyland," "Bye-Bye Birdie."

For Mackenzie Groth, 9, and several others, a part in "Oliver!" would be the first, but that's what a youth troupe is for - to encourage exploration of theatre arts by youngsters.

Directors Stephanie Arrigotti, Lynn Heller and Marsha Hall were looking for more from the two-minute musical auditions than just singing ability. They had 16 named roles plus dance troupes and choruses to cast and they will match personalities and appearances to parts as well.

The young actors and actresses also were given a quick dance lesson so their ability to learn and perform the steps could be evaluated.