Local Student Musicians Play at State Theatre

Two local students, one a sixth grader from Eisenhower Middle School in Wyckoff and the other a senior at Ramapo Regional High School were two of eight musicians in the State selected as interns to play with Equity musicians in the pit orchestra for the New Jersey Youth Theatre’s summer production of “Kiss Me Kate” at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center under the direction of Ilene Greenbaum. 

Wyckoff residents Charles McClellan, violinist, and Olivia Rutler, cellist, made the cut during April auditions (which they read about in the Patch) and have been commuting to Newark since the first week of June. Franklin Lakes resident Rebecca Taratino, a former student intern, was hired by NJYT to play cello this summer.

“Kiss Me Kate”, which is based on William Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew”, is a delightful Musical Comedy containing a play within a play. With music and lyrics by Cole Porter, it was originally produced in 1948 starring Patricia Morrison and Alfred Drake and ran for over 1,000 performances. “Kiss Me Kate” is a story of love gone wrong then right, then wrong again and thankfully, finally right. The scenery flips back and forth between the pastoral setting of Merry Old England and the backstage set of a theatre production company. There are familiar songs such as “Wunderbar”, “So in Love” and “Too Darn Hot” in which exciting dances perfectly compliment the highly spirited music.

The former Lincoln School students made their Principal, Dr. Mary Orr, proud as she noted that several students, including one of the Jonas Brothers, began on the grammar school stage with the blue velvet curtains covered with the school’s mascot, The Lincoln Lion. Both students played violin in Lincoln’s string orchestra with Mr. Eric Weidman, starting in the fourth grade.    

Charles, a recipient of the Newark School of Arts Jeffrey Carollo Scholarship, began studying piano at age three and studied violin with Chris Brune at age 7. He joined the Fine Tuners under the direction of Arlene Locola and played with several church groups as well as in school. Charles’ fine playing caught the attention of Mrs. Greenbaum at the Scholarship Auditions, where he was asked to audition for the Pit Orchestra. He is the youngest member in the history of the orchestra.

Olivia began with the piano at age 6 and the cello in sixth grade under the direction of Mr. Todd Urban at Eisenhower Middle School. She studied privately with Daryl Goldberg of Carnegie Hall and the Leonia Chamber Players as well as with Sarah Carter, an equity musician from Radio City Hall. Olivia plays in churches, at weddings, and in the Ramapo HS Orchestras including the Pit Orchestra for the spring musicals. She played cello with the Ridgewood Concert Band and is a member of the Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra. Olivia is the Drum Major for the Ramapo Raiders Marching Band, under the direction of Music Director Jacquelyn Sarracco. Olivia also plays the ukelele.

Charles and Olivia both play in the Bergen Youth Orchestra in Englewood under the direction of Mr. Eugene Minor. Both students plan to make careers out of music.