Laredo Community College inaugurates its fall 2004 cultural arts season at the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center in partnership with a local adaptation of the Broadway musical, Fame, on September 10, 11 and 12.
The community is invited to the show, which will be presented on September 10 and 11 at 8 p.m. and on September 12 at 3 p.m. at LCC’s new Fine Arts Center. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults. For ticket information, call the LCC Marketing and Public Information Office at 721-5140 or 236-2921.
Fame, The Musical is a production of Laredo Musical Theatre International, presented in collaboration with the Vidal M. Trevino School of Communications and Fine Arts and LCC. The performance is dedicated to the late Mrs. Lilia Martinez, a retired educator from San Ygnacio. She and her husband, Guadalupe Martinez established a family foundation, which has contributed significantly to the arts in Laredo.
Sam N. Johnson, the show’s producer, says that the LMTI is pleased to present the production on the Laredo stage. LMTI’s goal is to promote excellence in theatre through exposure to various aspects of the fine and performing arts. The local production features a cast and technical crew comprised of high school and college students.
“This production represents a continuing effort on the part of Laredo Music Theatre International to provide students and the community with a creative performing outlet,” said Johnson. LMTI has produced “The King and I” and “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.”
“Fame, The Musical” is a comedy-drama in song and dance set between 1980 and 1984 at New York City’s High School of Performing Arts. The Class of ’84 was the last class to graduate from that landmark building before they combined with the High School of Music and Art, and moved to Lincoln Center as LaGuardia High School. The musical follows two successful predecessors, which include a hit movie and a television series.
The show, says director Vernon Carroll, is an insightful and exciting story about the passions and dedication shared by a group of young people with exceptional artistic skills.
The show documents the prayers, hopes and ambitions of a group of committed and talented streetwise students as they work to develop their unique talents with the encouragement of a supportive faculty.
“We learn about the temptations facing these aspiring dancers, actors and musicians, their need for values, and the importance of discipline in their lives as they confront issues such as illiteracy, drug abuse and racial strife,” says Carroll.
Brendan Townsend is the music director/conductor. Dr. Mary Grace Carroll is the music coordinator. Bede Leyendecker is the choreographer.
The musical chronicles the students’ four years of intense involvement with their art, following their frustrations and their triumphs from the first day of their freshman year until graduation.
David De Silva conceived, developed and produced the MGM motion picture Fame and served as consulting producer for the TV series, which ran for six years on network television. De Silva also believed that Fame would make a powerful musical theatre work. He guided that project to realization, as well. The show had its world premiere in Miami in 1989.
The cast of "Fame, The Musical" includes Laredo high school and college students.
Office of Marketing and Public Information
West End Washington St.
Laredo, TX 78040-4395
956- 721-5140
Fax 956-721-5443