‘Broadway’s Best’ Showcases Burr Ridge Talent

One Burr Ridge resident aspiring to perform on Broadway someday will sing numbers by some of the theater Mecca’s most recognizable names this weekend.

Kelsey Pettrone, a seventh-grader at Pleasantdale Middle School, will sing with five other top young performers selections by Stephen Sondheim, Rogers and Hammerstein and Andrew Lloyd Webber in “A Showcase of Broadway’s Best” at the Fox Valley Repertory Academy of Performing Arts May 20-22.

The concert is a fundraiser for the nonprofit Fox Valley Repertory Academy of Performing Arts, 4051 E. Main St. in St. Charles. Pettrone says the group of six will perform three songs, and she will perform two solos and a duet. One of the songs she particularly enjoys singing is “Astonishing” from “Little Women.”

Pettrone says besides being able to utilize her full vocal range, she also enjoys “Astonishing” because she identifies with the character’s desire to be the best she can be. She says the character is small, but has big plans to shine as bright as the sun.

“I want to sing on Broadway, and those are giant plans,” Pettrone says.

The 13-year-old Pettrone says she has always enjoyed singing, and was inspired by a trip to Broadway two years ago when she saw “A Chorus Line” and “Mary Poppins.”

“I really wanted to go on Broadway after I saw those shows,” Pettrone says.

Pettrone says another reason why working on “A Showcase of Broadway’s Best” has been especially enjoyable has been the opportunity to take direction from Michael Sobie.

Sobie has toured nationally and internationally with Aida, Wicked and Les Miserables, among others, according to a news release on TribLocal.

“The director is so much fun, and it’s all just fun,” Pettrone says. “He also makes us better singers by correcting us.”

Pettrone’s mother, Colleen Pettrone, says her daughter has a “Broadway voice,” and is looking forward to the performance because all the kids have worked so hard preparing.

“A Showcase of Broadway’s Best” gives her daughter a chance to work with an accomplished director and other highly talented young performers, Colleen Pettrone says. And her participation in theatrical performances has another benefit for her daughter, Colleen Pettrone says.

“It gives her confidence,” Colleen Pettrone says. “Believe it or not, although she can perform on stage and she’s done all these things, she’s really shy. But she just loves it.”

Colleen Pettrone says at Fox Valley Repertory Academy of Performing Arts they really seem to have a great group of teachers and directors.

Audra Sybert, marketing manager at Fox Valley Repertory Academy of Performing Arts, says “A Showcase of Broadway’s Best” is the organization’s second fundraiser, and the first to be a performance by young performers. Proceeds will help the organization offer scholarships to some students, Sybert says.

Sybert says the academy, which has grown from offering a handful of classes when it opened in 2006 to offering 15 classes each quarter, offers a lot to the community.

“We’re trying to promote self-confidence, awareness, growth of the performer and as an individual,” Sybert says. “It’s open to anyone, so even if you’ve never tried acting, we’re here for you to try it and be that outlet.”

For more information and tickets for “A Showcase of Broadway’s Best” visit the Fox Valley Repertory Academy of Performing Arts Web site.