Published Articles

In Case You Missed it...Mamma Mia at StarStruck Theatre

By Damon Paxton | Jul 12, 2019

First off, I must provide a disclaimer that my darling daughter was in Mamma Mia and played the part of Sophie. That said, do I think it could have colored my feelings about how much I enjoyed this show? Perhaps a little, but those of you who are familiar with me know I have been a huge fan of StarStruck since seeing my first performance there almost 4 years ago, when our MiniMac was still quite mini and had not yet joined the #PurplePalace as a student... So let us begin.

We have been here before. We know how this works. You’ve got to be ready with knowledge and song and shoes and leotards and game faces and everything that goes along with it. Bring healthy snacks but no peanuts, and put your phones down. You’re there to connect and be in the moment with each other and not to bury your face in your phone. We have come to expect great things from Peter and Jennifer Jones - they have a strange way of channeling greatness through our tiny spawns and possess a power to magically make them behave while at the same time bringing out their creative spark to the fullest.

Mamma Mia at StarStruck was huge. The cast had the honor of being the first to bring it to the StarStruck stage and it was epic! It was fun and fantastic and left me singing and dancing as I left the theatre. It was awesome beyond comprehension. I never planned to be such a Mamma Mia guru or know as much as I do now about ABBA music and the story of three possible fathers, their daughter, and the woman they loved and last saw on a tiny Greek Island some 21 years earlier – alas, here I am.

This cast and this crew hit a home run. It was epic and magical and mesmerizing in every sense. With 24 songs to be sung in 2 acts, it seemed highly labor intensive for the cast but they handled it with ease. I laughed, I cried, I clapped, I cried a bit more, and then I stood and screamed and didn’t want it to end. I also was lucky enough to see every single show. When you attend every performance you get to see more of the faces and I found myself noticing things on shows 2, 3 and 4 that I hadn’t noticed on opening night. The cast performed brilliantly every time and it was a testament to the training and coaching this group had received as they put this show together in less than a month. I heard nothing less than rave reviews as theatre-goers ventured out to their cars. I remember hearing a group on opening night commenting to one another that they thought coming back for another show was in their weekend plans.

Originally, only five shows had been planned but with all five selling out a week before opening night, and tickets still in high demand, we were delighted to learn that a sixth show would become a reality.

Not everyone got to see show number six. It, too, sold out, and was like a mythical beast. Sometimes you know you are witnessing something fantastic, something unique. A moment in time that is not on video or Aunt Mary’s cell phone but something that will only be recorded by eyes and hearts and minds. And what is most magical of all is the moment when we realize we are seeing something beyond spectacular and then fully immerse ourselves into the moment. That was show number six.If you were fortunate enough to see the last show on Sunday evening then you experienced something extra special. You saw a group of young performers and their highly skilled and fine tuned company push further and farther than they had in the previous five performances. None of the shows were any less than superb, but it was as if the cast knew they were operating in a time and space of their very own making and in truth that is exactly what it was. With the knowledge that the sixth show was a gift, it was clear to see that our young performers felt like they had been given one last chance to roam and play. They were already experts in their subject matter but with this show being added it was as if they were a bit more bold and daring than before. They exhibited a more pronounced confidence. Like the young artists they were, they used new brush strokes, expanding boundaries and pushing limits – they had found a canvas that belonged only to them and it was easy to see they were about to give everything they had left to make this their best, last show.

I smiled, I laughed, my eyes welled up and tears rolled down my cheek….again.

They were having more fun, I thought. They were exploring a little bit more within their craft and were without a doubt leaving it all on the stage. Then it happened. Somewhere deep in Act II, the cast felt that their love for one another, the stage, the crew, their blood, sweat, hard work and all that they had become in the last four weeks, was coming to an end.

During a particularly heartfelt performance of “Our Last Summer,” when Harry, played brilliantly by River Hassett, sang to Donna, played exquisitely by Ava Mahan, the song came home. It was indeed the last summer that Hassett would sing as a student on StarStruck’s stage – a space he had occupied for about 13 of his 17 years of life. It seemed to be the perfect finish, along with the perfect best friend, onstage together one last time. Hassett and Mahan sang together through the tears and gave the listeners something extraordinary that day.

I think at that moment the audience may have understood the need for a brief pause in the performance, but Mahan, who has a tranquility and a power to her voice that she seems to use effortlessly, powered through and delivered an exceptional rendition of “Slipping Through My Fingers” followed quickly by possibly her best presentation yet of “The Winner Takes It All.” To say that Mahan crushed it would be an understatement. The audience erupted over the last few seconds of her song because of the energy she conveyed and the gift she had just given them.

Richard Aton, who played Sam, delivered a solid performance and got to show off his acting and singing chops throughout the show. Justin Block (Bill) and Lillie Shaff (Rosie) helped us all out with some much needed comic relief when our tear wells ran dry. Dakota Ryder (Pepper) and Macrae Bruner (Eddie) were an excellent tag team of festive fun and kept us laughing throughout the show.

Tanya was played by newcomer, Samyah Henry, whose voice alone tells us we will see her again – hopefully, on the StarStruck stage. Madeline Schoppe and Morgan Robert are long time pros and are always staples on the stage; they have a talent and a timing that only comes from years of practice and instruction and you never get tired of watching them perform. Julian Heidelberg (Sky) without a doubt gave his best performance on that magical Sunday evening. And, of course, the show would not be complete without the strength and precision of the entire company backing it all. The singing and dancing choreography stitched the entire show together and the power of voices singing in unison rivaled what I had heard in professional Mamma Mia recordings.

Sophie was played by Alexandria Paxton…and Paxton? Well…Paxton is my daughter so you will have to ask someone else. It’s hard to see your children in normal light sometimes. I know that if my daughter tripped onto the stage, did a sideways somersault followed by a face-plant, and then fell off the stage into the first row causing some sort of bodily injury, I would tear up and cry from pride alone. Paxton didn’t, however, do any somersaults on the stage that day... all I can say is that I did not know that she could do what she did that night. Being such young performers, I did not know any of those kids could do what they did – they amazed us all and created the best show that they could possibly deliver.

It never ceases to amaze me when it is all over. The curtain closes and the theatre empties and then you stand in the lobby waiting for the young performers to come out. I think I always expect to see these giants. I expect to see super-heroes and super-stars and I expect them to look different and walk on air, but they just look like kids. They look like our kids. They all have their lives and their challenges and curve balls that they have to cope with but when we see them on stage we forget about that. Then, when they come out to the lobby, they look normal and tired and a little bit sad that it is all over. They look sweaty and proud and I am in awe every time it happens. I am in awe because I still cannot believe that a 10 or 12 or 13 or even a 17 year old can take that stage and pour their heart and soul out so much that you begin to feel what they feel. It still amazes me that they can make you forget everything else but the story they are telling up on that stage; that they can make you belly laugh until it hurts, or move you so much so that your eyes well up and tears begin to roll down your cheek. And during those moments, everything that is terrible in the world falls away and just doesn’t seem to matter. These are normal kids living normal lives but they have a gift and whenever they get a chance to share it we are all a little bit better for it.  

If you missed Mamma Mia then I am sorry. I know I say this after every show, but I am pretty sure Mamma Mia is my new favorite...followed by the long list of shows I have had the pleasure to see on the StarStruck Stage! As a pseudo-manly guy who was raised on hamburgers, Stallone movies and AC/DC, I am not afraid to have you tell my friends either.

StarStruck Theater’s High School Edition of Chicago - A MacDad Review

By Damon Paxton | Nov 22, 2018

It’s been a week since I saw the final performance of Chicago put on by the cast at StarStruck and I find myself still smiling as I reflect on the show. I miss the songs, I miss the performers and I miss the energy it provided to each of us that was lucky enough to see it.

The bar was set pretty high when I heard that StarStruck was presenting the production of Chicago. It has only been about 3 years since I saw my first show on that stage and each time it seems I seem to come away with a belief that I have just seen the best thing this little theater can crank out.

The bar would already be through the roof if I had seen the show before on Broadway which I hadn’t. The only thing I really had to compare it to was a movie version of Chicago starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger and Richard Gere. Of course anything in the movie realm would have had several cuts, voice-overs, various camera angles and a polish and glisten that you could only expect to find on the big screen…or maybe not?

We have come to expect great things from this little theater in Stuart, Florida, but come on, this is one of the better known, highly dynamic, cornerstone musicals that features some rather daring adult themes. The Broadway show of Chicago has more than a suggestive tone of murder, indecency and dishonesty – how would the team at StarStruck spin the High School Edition into something that was entertaining enough for adults yet not too shocking for those that might bring their 4 year olds to the front row? Not only that, but I am not a pushover anymore. I realize I still have much to learn, but I have been to Broadway now (Twice!) and I consider myself slightly more than an amateur theater aficionado who knows how to appreciate solid talent and entertainment. To start with, you had better have some dynamic leading ladies up there or you might lose me.

What’s that you say, Jennifer Jones? Challenge Accepted?!?

Powerhouses would be an understatement when defining the 3 pillars of this performance - each brought a uniquely formulated character presence to their respective roles. They pieced together like a puzzle each accompanying and supporting their counterparts onstage and from start to finish brought the house down during each performance.

Jillian Plymale in the role of Velma Kelly was a perfect choice. She kicked off the show in stunning fashion with her assembled cast in knock-out momentous version of All That Jazz. Jillian and her ensemble group danced and owned the stage at the open, setting the tone for the audience and letting us know that we were in for more than just another musical. I am pretty sure I have seen her as a teapot once, but she was not a teapot that day – her message to the audience that day was “I am Velma Kelly – Hear Me Roar!” Her kicks, her agility, her ability were paramount to just what the role of Velma entailed. She got to showcase her skills in Cell Block Tango, I Can’t Do It Alone and When Velma Takes the Stand. After some of the more rigorous dance numbers she was able to immediately shift gears and hit the notes she needed to exactly on cue.

At 16, Charlotte Krieger knocked the role of Roxie Hart out of the park. She immediately captured our hearts while conveying an innocence and “poor little me” attitude…even though she had just committed murder. I remember being somewhat in awe that Charlotte had morphed and become this character that was not part of the glitz and glam in Chicago, but she knew she was certainly going to be part of it. In the scenes that would follow I got the feeling that she was going to make things happen her way and be the front page of the paper sort of news and the star of the show that everyone would be talking about. I have to say that my favorite number of the entire show was We Both Reach for the Gun where Roxie plays puppet to Billy Flynn as they polish Roxie’s story into her becoming the victim who was simply defending herself when the gun went off. Krieger’s puppet performance sung alongside a group of perfectly pliable yet synchronized reporters had the crowd howling their approval. Krieger was exceptional in Funny Hunny, outstanding in Roxie and very convincing in Me and My Baby. It was clear that she has been onstage for years and undoubtedly, for many years ahead.

When I first realized the role of Billy Flynn was going to be played by Eliza Levy – I was like, “Wait a minute! Billy Flynn is a guy!” Shortly thereafter - I quietly changed my mind. Levy is simply one of the kids that was born backstage during an intermission at StarStruck and she quite possibly has lived there ever since. She has been a singer, performer, dancer, actress and staple in StarStruck shows since I started watching a few years ago and her talent is woven into the very fabric of her DNA. Levy as Billy Flynn was a brilliant powerhouse decision. She can act, she can dance, and when she feels like it, can hold a note for 30 seconds with range and lung capacity to spare. When Levy was onstage she commanded the role and left no doubt that she was the lawyer in charge. She crushed it in All I Care About Is Love, Razzle Dazzle and of course my favorite, We Both Reach for the Gun.

The show could stand on the powerhouse performance triplicate of Plymale, Krieger and Levy but they were garnished with strong supporting roles from Ava Mahan who played Mama Morton and Justin Block who did an outstanding job as Amos. I had seen Mahan sing in other performances at StarStruck, and she was as equally fantastic in the role of Mama Morton. As I listened to her belt out When You’re Good to Mama, I remember thinking “OMG, how deep is the talent pool on this stage?!?” Mahan’s message was clear - you had darn well better be good to Mama. I had seen Justin Block in roles prior to Amos in Chicago and he has been fantastic, clearly growing into roles and maturing as an actor and performer each time. Block’s representation of Amos was through the roof and my heart went out to him as I watched his wife, Roxie, put on a dog and pony show with his gullibility, loyalty and his heart. Justin’s peak performance was in Mr. Cellophane, which was exceptional. If any performer can make an entire audience feel their sorrow and emit a collective group “Awwwwwwwwwww,” then their performance has hit its mark.

But wait there’s more! Each of the 22 member cast has a range and complexity of talent that goes beyond what a simple review could even begin to sum up. Other supporting cast and ensemble players had a depth and ability that you just don’t usually see onstage. With an age range of 12-17 I would gladly write a paragraph on each one of them. Some have played starring roles in other productions but played further down the chain in this particular musical. Each one of them deserves the credit for their hard work and ability throughout this creation. Realizing how deep the ability extended into each and every cast member gives us a bit more of a glimpse into the back of the house and the inner workings of what goes on behind the curtain. Some of the performers will step forward when ready and some may step out of the limelight for a moment while they postpone until their next time to shine – regardless, none of the genius onstage was provided at any less than full throttle from any member. The show doesn’t happen without everyone working together and firing on all cylinders. It becomes a valid illustration for only being as good as the weakest link and it didn’t seem that there were any. This production was through the roof amazing, which means that each and every member onstage gets to share in the greatness.

As always Peter Jones sits atop the control center at the back of the room and most days you forget he is even there playing the piano. Something that one may take for granted in a performance set to a musical track, Mr. Jones keeps his gaze and his attention on the performers onstage and he gauges and changes notes and counts based on each individual performance. You get the feeling that his ability to adjust to each performer and their breathing and vocal ranges comes as easily to him as blinking does to you and me.

Proud mama, Jennifer Jones, can be seen from time to time in the aisles, in the control tower and in the wings of the stage looking somewhat like an expectant mother seeing the fruits of her creation for the first time. Sometimes she can be seen clutching her hands to her chest, laughing out loud, or tearing up as she seems to live, feel and breathe each and every expression and action onstage. It is the vision and the heart and the soul of Peter and Jennifer and their phenomenal team in the shadows that bring each and every production to life.

One would think that to put on such a well done portrayal of Chicago it would be enough to know the music, memorize the lines and figure out the kicks and steps to pull off a show of this magnitude - in each of these creations it is clear that something else goes in. From the meter and precision in every Fosse inspired dance step to the functionality of the prison bars and background highlighting in each scene there is a mesh and a connective fabric that permeates through each performer in every show. It manifests a reference to giving all you can give and leaving a little bit of yourself onstage. In each and every show the talented choreographers and coaches at StarStruck shape and mold the young stars of this community until they perform, dance, sing, act and gel into a beautifully finished product. Friendships are formed, lessons are learned and a discipline is incorporated into habits and behaviors that fortify our youth, craft performers and construct leaders we can be proud of. Experiences play out onstage, but also behind the scenes as the young cast learns how to work together, treat each other and appreciate each unique personality and perspective. It is a controlled, safe place for teachings to present onstage, but also for learned life curricula to be taken offstage. It seems like a great place to be family and a great place to learn and grow. In a nutshell, these are amazingly good kids, and some of the most talented I have ever seen.

StarStruck’s High School Edition of Chicago was outstanding and if you missed it I am sorry. For someone born a farmboy in Colorado I never thought I would find myself always looking forward to their next production.

Bye-Bye Birdie -- StarStruck Theatre, June 2017

By Damon Paxton | Jul 7, 2017

Okay don’t be scared - we know how this works.

StarStruck is putting on another production and no one can do it quite the same. I am not sure what Bye-Bye Birdie is all about, but I am picturing Jack Hannah on the Serengeti chasing something with talons, feathers and a beak. It sounds like an action-adventure comedy maybe….?

Maybe not...

I showed up for the first of five shows on a Thursday night at 7:00 pm thinking largely about the work I had done that day and the mountain of work I was going to have to do the next day. I also have to say that I was nervous about NOT loving this production. I had slothfully and partially partaken in watching a series of what appeared to be different high school and college productions of Bye-Bye Birdie and the story unfortunately just didn’t capture me. The versions we saw weren’t terrible, but it felt to me like something unfamiliar and something that didn’t really resonate with me. This also seemed to be a bit more of a comedy genre for the production team. I knew the crew at StarStruck could create a reaction when stories were based on hardship, triumph, love or emotion, but how would they do for this? This was something a bit more of a step away from what I was used to seeing from them.

When the lights went down I felt myself settle into my seat and take a deep breath. I felt better already. Suddenly little feet pattered down the side aisles as they approached the stage. Like much needed blood flowing back to the heart, the group of young girls seemed to breathe immediate liveliness into the dark theater and I could immediately hear the guests around me snicker and take notice. Their song to their beloved Conrad and the subsequent screams that only young girls can emit were like a breath of life into each person in the room. To begin, it was a nice wake up call.

Soon two of our main players open the scene in an office and we realize things are about to go ballistic. Rosie played by Victoria Bartolotta and Albert played by Daniel Rabinowitz were sensational choices for these leading characters. I had forgotten about the connection. I had forgotten about how good it feels when you see the faces fire up and feel the energy percolate into every corner of the room. I had forgotten about the intimacy of the setting and how even sitting somewhere in the middle or in the back row still made you feel like you were a part of the performance. I was eager to see what this would be like, and hopeful that I was going to be wowed.

I certainly recall on at least one moment of each evening when I was completely immersed in the faces and the songs and the dancing and the emotion of everything that had been put together; and I remember taking a deep breath, realizing where I was and saying to myself, “I deserve this.” Yes, weird I know, but I deserve this means that some time after the first pattering of feet down the side of the theater on Thursday night, until the final show and emotional bows taken on Sunday, the cast and performers of Bye-Bye Birdie had reminded me how to feel a little bit more. These kids – our kids – and the gifts and abilities of Peter and Jennifer and the crew and staff working behind the scenes to inspire each cast member to give their all to every performance, had shown me something remarkable enough to take me away from it all. The performance captured me enough, engaged me enough, brought to me enough elation and joy to obliterate any worries, dread or sour thoughts from the week prior or to the challenges that may lie ahead. It was almost like the cast and crew had transported me far enough away to peel back a layer and challenge me to be human again. It was a prompt to remember how to enjoy life and feel deeply again. It was wonderful and I was grateful.

As I settled into my seat for the Sunday night show the air was particularly charged. It was the last evening of the five day run of Bye-Bye Birdie and the cast seemed to feel it. If you have been lucky enough to see a performance at StarStruck or maybe a few, you have become familiar with the faces and the talents rather quickly. Some of the young stars have a history with StarStruck that goes back at least 11 years, meaning that StarStruck has molded and guided them into skilled technical artists ready for a number of opportunities that might await them. The 3:00 pm show on Sunday was to be the final performance for at least two of StarStruck’s finest, Victoria Bartolotta and Becca Suskauer. Both graced the stage showing exceptional mastery of their acting, singing and dancing abilities and beautifully showcasing their time and knowledge attained at StarStruck. It is clear that these young ladies are going places and rightfully belong on the stage or the big screen or wherever they may land. It was apparent also, that the impact they have made, the bonds they have formed with the cast members around them, and the examples they have set for the young performers that look up to them will last a lifetime. I hope they know that their impact on the lives they have touched, both on and off the stage, will stand long beyond their final performance. It is and has always been my hope that my youngest daughter will look up to leaders like them and learn to use her gifts to be a confident leader who is kind, benevolent, helpful and wise. I have little doubt that Peter and Jennifer, surrounded by their committed and capable staff, have played a major role in crafting the lives and the minds of the young performers that pass through their doors – there might not be any better gift that they could possibly give.

And so it was on this Sunday evening when I realized the impact the show – this one show – had made on me and those around me. Although I was not a huge fan of Bye-Bye Birdie only five days prior, I recognized how for the last three days I had been walking through the house singing the songs and reciting the lines. It had been delivered in such a way that it absorbed into my brain and made my personal home-world a better place to be. One day I caught myself singing my own variation of “You’ve Gotta Be Sincere” to my wife who probably would have rather heard it from Ryan himself. One day I broke into the “Kids” song in my living room because if you have kids at all there are at least a million applications for singing that one any day of the week. Still not a believer? Two days ago while strolling through a mall in Union City, New Jersey I caught myself singing (luckily to myself) that I was going to be “Mrs. Albert Peterson” from Ms. Bartolotta's rendition of “English Teacher.” Not a seed I might have chosen to plant but apparently one of the many seeds that would sprout and grow. The impact and effect that StarStruck’s performance had on me, delivered vibrantly and brilliantly, with a mountain of emotion and a jolt of energy, was epic and undeniable. I had been fortunate enough to take a piece of this performance of Bye-Bye Birdie with me – I believe the intention of all of this from the very beginning. If you missed StarStruck’s latest performance, don’t kick yourself - just make sure you don’t miss the next one.

The show ran a series of five performances and I truthfully proclaim that I had gone from ‘Ok -That was pretty good!’ to “OMG! I think this might be my new favorite!!” In a discussion with the mother of one of the cast members at intermission on Sunday afternoon we compared notes on how we had both become raving fans.

Once the final performance was over we watched as the cast took their final bows and then the audience, family and friends waited in the lounge for the performers to come out after the show. Finally they emerge and you get to see their faces just a few feet away. The performers appear smiling and tired but they also look content because they know they just gave us 210% of everything they had. No longer in costume, you see them in street clothes with remnants of make-up and bits of tape residue still on their cheek and then they meander back and forth and merge and absorb into the crowd and hug their families and greet their friends. You get to see them up close and you feel a surge of pride... these are our kids – I can’t believe everything I just saw came out of them. They sure seem like normal kids. They seem so humble, so grounded, so modest, but I’ve seen what they can do and it is beyond exceptional. They are more than just actors and actresses and singers and dancers and gifted students - they are leaders. Each one of them capable of more than they maybe ever thought they might be and you get a feeling that the staff at StarStruck has been paramount in giving them the courage and the guidance to believe that they are capable of anything.

Fiddler on the Roof at StarStruck Theatre

By Damon Paxton | Feb 12, 2017

Create

It’s Friday night on the Treasure Coast and my wife has gotten us tickets for “Fiddler on the Roof” at StarStruck Theatre in Stuart. Seriously!?! Wife!?! Do I look like I want to spend an evening learning more about the struggles of a Jewish milk-farmer at turn of the century Imperial Russia? Surely, I thought, I must have something better to do like put beer on ice for pre-Super Bowl party preparations? I do need to clean the carpet in the den - often best done on Friday nights. I winced and thought to myself even a solid evening of glittery toe-nail painting with my daughter might prevail here. I am a dude, after all, and I can’t simply be seen gallivanting off to every song and dance show down at the local theater. What will my manly Patriot and Falcon friends think?

As a reminder, dearest wife, I had already put in my theater time for the month...might I bring to your memory how you managed to drag me away the previous weekend to Orlando to see Wicked? Okay, it was phenomenal - but don’t get carried away -- and so soon! My heart and mind weren’t entirely into the night, but sometimes you do what the wife wants. The competition was fierce, the stakes were high and the expectations were through the ‘Roof.’ Honestly, what could our little StarStruck theater offer that might compare?

I was absolutely green on Fiddler. That means I knew nothing about the story, the characters, or the background that made “Fiddler on the Roof” one of the longest running shows (16th I think?) in Broadway history. I did expect to see a fiddler on the roof at some point but had no idea where the evening would go from there. I decided to go and see what the show was all about, but I didn’t expect to have much of an emotional investment in the story or the production. In truth, it seemed like a good enough way to spend a Friday night and, after all, the Super Bowl was only 2 days away where and when I could sip malted beverages and realign with my manhood. 

Inspire

I had seen what Jennifer and Peter Jones were capable of when it came to sculpting and mentoring our kids. I had witnessed magic and miracles in very short order when it came to piecing young hearts and minds together for junior productions at StarStruck, but this evening of “Fiddler on the Roof” was to be a professional production, put on by the grown-ups and the teachers of our children. It was time to walk-the-walk. In short, I expected the world.

I was not disappointed. 

I think what makes this theater and this crew so amazing is the intimacy that each production holds. Yes, I will admit, if I were a rich man I might be sitting in the front row instead of the last – but there really is not a bad seat in the house and I still saw the facial expressions and felt the energy, the passion and raw emotion on stage. Even in the back row I felt like I was part of the family and became a part of the story. The sets were perfect - stationary and simple, but clearly detailed to the degree that a great deal of thought had been put into how they would look, feel and immerse the audience in the setting. The lighting changed between scenes and brought a fresh and crisp glow to the developing story. As always, Peter Jones was at the center of the musical score, performing every note on the keyboard superbly, the dancing was well choreographed, and every cast member moved and sang together beautifully. And alas, there was A Fiddler on the Roof!

Perform

The actor chosen to play Tevye, Doug Jabara, was a home run. I loved him immediately and it was simple to fall into his story and feel his hardship. I went from “maybe I was going to be partially interested” to being completely swept into his story within minutes. He was the perfect choice and absolutely convincing as a struggling father and milk man in the Pale of Settlement Imperial Russia. At one point, while hanging on his words, I actually laughed out loud with the rest of the audience. When an actor, a performer, a character can move you to the edge of your seat and make you laugh and cry – it is always a win.

It was the first time I would get to see Jennifer Jones act. It was also the first time I would get to see Mrs. Jones sing. Had you told me that she would be convincing as the wife of a Jewish milk man in 1905 I might have smirked and said, “We’ll see.” My expectations were high... but I was blown away. The chemistry among characters was as if they had worked together for 20 years. Everything orchestrated, synchronized, deliberately spoken, sung or placed made it convincing from the start. I remember a particular scene when Golde runs onto stage learning that one of her daughters was gone and it actually brought tears to my eyes. I think what was amazing was that for what seemed like 30 seconds Mrs. Jones didn’t even speak, I felt her heartache, her devastation and her anguish - it seemed like forever and it was excruciating. When you are able to convey that much of yourself to the audience – it is absolute mastery - and it’s out of the park. I could feel the sorrow and the pain even in the back of the theater and it woke me up inside. 

Grow

What we do every day in our lives is our work and we do it as best that we can. We hope it makes an impact on those around us as we convey our message and our purpose. Peter and Jennifer and the talented family at StarStruck have found their purpose and they have an amazing way of delivering and sharing their work with the community and world around them. If people get what we do in this life it makes the journey worth-while.

For me, “Fiddler on the Roof” was another lesson in ‘taking the cap off.’ It happens when you realize you get to partake in something amazing. It plays out when a person - an actor, a dancer, a performer connects and reminds you that you are human. Maybe it’s a scene when your heart feels the love that a turn of the century Jewish milkman feels towards his wife and his five daughters. It might be a moment when you laugh and yell out loud with uncontainable joy because you resonate completely with a moment depicted between characters questioning true love. Maybe it’s when you feel fear and sadness so great it actually makes tears run down your cheek. It is, in simple terms, an awakening. When it happens it is often a surprise and if it happens it is remarkable. It is always a gift. I will admit, I didn’t expect to enjoy “Fiddler on the Roof” as much as I did. 

The truth is that if something or someone or a talented group of gifted people can bring me to life and spark enough interest to make me research and discover and desire to learn more about the story and its background it is a solid triumph. Many times I have walked out of a movie or turned off the end of a football game only to wish I was able to gather those lost hours back into my life. That was not the case after watching the production of “Fiddler on the Roof” at StarStruck. The evening was eye opening, intriguing and captivating – it was anything but disappointing. I found myself wanting to see more as the show ended because I still had questions that had not yet been answered. I felt a genuine sense of sadness as the cast took their final bow because I wanted to spend more time with them and see where their story took them. I turned and asked my wife about getting tickets to see the show again that weekend. I wanted to see it again to figure out what I might have missed - she told me the show had been sold out for weeks (sad face goes right about here).

I’m hooked, StarStruck - you complete me.

StarStruck, Behind the Curtain - A Special Macaroni Dad

By Damon Paxton | Jun 30, 2016

Not long ago I was hornswoggled into attending a Sunday afternoon screening of Pippin at StarStruck in Stuart, Florida. The show was performed by local kids and was an event that would later be known as the greatest two hours of my life...next to my wedding and the birth of my children, of course! I hadn’t researched what I was about to see and it wasn’t a show I was familiar with to any degree, yet, even going in ice cold, I remember walking out of the show with a bewildered look on my face. It was like I had just discovered gold. I knew that I had just seen something amazing. It was a slice of Broadway and it was in our own backyard.

In the same breath of screaming “OMG!” to my wife as we drove away in the car that day I asked her what we would have to do to get out little Macaroni into StarStruck. My thinking was that if these boys and girls down the street are being trained and tuned to this precision, I wanted my daughter to be a part of it.

But how?

I had heard about StarStruck before and had driven by the building several times each week en-route to my work location. It was foreign to me and it wasn’t something I thought we needed to bother with at the time. I honestly believed it was an agency you would bring your talented kid to, get some head shots, reach-out to some production companies and work to get them gigs in show biz and TV commercials. I had no idea what actually went on behind the doors and within the walls of such a place, but I’m glad I finally had the chance to find out.

StarStruck can be for every kid, but it does take something special. As our dearest MiniMac learned quite quickly a few weeks ago, it takes some very specific ingredients; ingredients she already had inside. Somewhere deep within her little 10 year old frame she conjured up courage, determination, strength, character, perseverance, tenacity and dedication and found herself working as hard as she ever had before. As her father, it was something I hadn’t been able to bring out in her. As much as I love her, I hadn’t been able to help her focus long enough to get out of her own way...but there was someone that could. Sometimes, it seems, it takes a genius far enough removed from family baggage to make sensational things happen.

My research has brought me to a more informed place that has a better grasp of what StarStruck actually is and what it does for our community and our kids – and believe me, it does wonders. Jennifer Jones is the hyped up doer of great stuff. You get the vibe that this woman jumps out of bed and does 100 burpees and 10 miles before 5:00 am and before coffee. She is beyond dedicated and I think she is all heart and loves what she does with a passion. Jennifer's husband, Peter Jones, seems to be the balance and the quiet brilliance and the underlying mellow that supports the vision that surrounds the performers and creates a safe space for the audience. You get the feeling that you are guests in their home and you are in for a rare treat.

I wouldn’t say that my first emotion after meeting the two of them was that of envy, but as soon as I realized these are two amazing people with a selfless, worthwhile vision doing exactly what they want in life, I thought to myself, not only are they doing what they love, but they take part in giving a gift to the community, teaching and training kids and making life better for everyone around them. They are beautiful and happy and amazing and living their dream... yea, I was a little envious.

So yes, the founders of StarStruck are pretty much superheroes. And they have an amazing staff surrounding them...from the choreographer who had the kids moving effortlessly across the stage, to the set designer who painted the amazing backdrops, to the costume designer who created all the dazzling costumes in less than 3 weeks, and all the others working behind the scenes, each adds a little piece of the magic that brings the show together and makes it outstanding. 

That said, I knew the StarStruck crew had to whip a cast of 34 kids into shape to pull off a 5-run performance of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Jr. in only 3 weeks. They may be water walkers, but I have a hard time getting my one 10 year old out of bed, dressed, fed and to the bus stop by 9:00 AM, so how could they possibly make 34 kids march in a line in only 21 days? As optimistic as I tried to be, I didn’t expect the moon and stars.

But it happened. 

A grown man shouldn’t have to dry his eyes when a 16 year old boy in a Beast costume sings a solo from the bottom of his heart. Wow. Every kid, every face, every costume, every step, every note from start to finish was simply impeccable. I kept waiting for the newness to wear off or for the show to lose its luster by the end of performance #5 but it didn’t change. Even though I knew how the performance was going to begin and end, I was as much of a teary-eyed-hot-mess-man-wreck as I had been from day one. Somehow 34 kids, pouring their hearts out in compelling fashion found a way to connect and make me feel what they were feeling. It was something I didn’t completely expect, and it woke me up inside. Each day the players jelled perfectly. From the first day to the last, the cast actually seemed to get better.

I have seen performances and plays and been in the audience before so I asked myself why was this so special? What made this any different? For one thing the kids, our kids, from 8 to 16 believed absolutely and completely in what they were doing. There was no hesitation or confusion or anything less than unadulterated commitment in making us believe. In doing so none of them came across so much as actors and actresses playing parts in the show, but rather portraying a vivid certainty that they were exactly that living, breathing character. As someone lucky enough to sit in the front row on opening night, it became more of an experience than a performance. It’s one thing to be talented, still another to be a great singer or dancer or actress, but to genuinely captivate and pull an entire room full of people into a journey with you is a gift...or a super power.

Okay, I am impressed. You were right Mrs. Jones, I have been changed. You have somehow affected me on a cellular level. You somehow melded this StarStruck stuff into my DNA. This week I caught myself singing a song made famous to me by a 14 year old girl with a voice like a nightingale. I also can’t stop seeing the terrified face of a convincing young girl that was horrified when she heard the Beast might come for her children. Still, sometimes I survey the room and nod and smile when I think of decorating my own house with antlers. I wonder if this effect will eventually wear off but I am okay if it doesn’t.

What is even better is what you have done to my 10 year old. Now a week later I see something different inside of her. She worked hard and she knows it. True there were moments of doubt in her mind and crying and stomping and tears and at least one point when she wondered if she was going to make it, but I see a new hope in her heart and a spring in her step that wasn’t there before. I see more character inside of her, more swagger in her walk and a confidence in her eyes because she had gotten to be a part of something great. You challenged her because you knew you could and she is stronger today because of what you did. She found new family and friends and she realized that when she is pushed beyond her comfort zone she can accomplish things she never knew. THANK YOU for teaching her that lesson. I’m not sure she fully understands the importance of what she learned at this time; however, I have little doubt that its impact will last a lifetime.

Dads Can be StarStruck, Too!

By Damon Paxton | May 19, 2016

Scotty Pippen?

On occasion you have to bite the bullet and take one for the team. True I had gone to that weekend college football game with the guys, and yes I had gone to that concert, and then I went to that other concert and I had yet to unearth the idea of me escaping for a long weekend with some of my college buddies to discuss family values and contemplate pressing world issues – okay, okay we were going to the beach to drink beer. The truth is I had cashed in a great number of my chips lately and I was going to have to gain some man points back by doing good stuff for the spouse.

When the Macaroni wife tells me she has three tickets to see Pippin my first thought is “how did she get tickets to see the Bulls play and how far do we have to drive?” When she tells me it’s a play, I take a deep breath and accept it as one of those things you just have to do if you are going to stay in the favorable range on the husband scale. Is it a musical? Is it a play? A pseudo ballet dancing-singing-performance with sparklers and juggling or what? What exactly am I in for? I needed to know to be prepared. What I did know is that it was about 2 or 3 hours out of my Sunday afternoon which might have been spent beautifying the yard or journeying to the beach. I did know that it was to be at StarStruck Theatre in Stuart so at least I did not need to travel to Jupiter, Orlando or Delray. 

I was surprised at how packed the theatre was since it was the last of five showings on a Sunday afternoon. I looked around and wondered why these people didn’t have anything better to do that day. I could hear my grass growing and it was beginning to bother me.

The music started, the singing followed and then came dancing. The expression on my face changed from disgruntled garden worker to gently surprised and wondering husband. My eyes widened and I pulled my head back just a bit. I pursed my lips, furrowed my brow and I looked slowly over at my wife. She was smiling and nodding like she had known it all along – this was going to be good. 

I had prepared myself for an afternoon of forgotten lines, sour notes and cute but clumsy dance numbers, but I had been wrong. Actually - I had been horribly mistaken. 

My first thought was where on earth did these kids come from? Was this some sort of traveling performance group? These kids moved like pros, danced like they had been to Broadway, sang like they had been trained by Christina Aguilera and Adam Levine and had been doing so their entire lives. I found myself leaning forward and hanging on to the edge of my seat to see what might happen next. I had never seen Pippin before but this story was perfectly and brilliantly told. There was no misstep in a dance number. There were no forgotten lines. Not a note was missed by the stars of the show. Each and every member was so polished and so precise. I fell into the story and even found my eyes welling up at the predicament the star of show found himself in. 

I have to say that in the end I was absolutely blown away. To say it was phenomenal is an understatement. But how? How could StarStruck take a group of our local kids and turn them into superstars like this? These kids weren’t just good they were unbelievably good. 

Local kids from 8 to 18 had obviously been working very hard under the direction and supervision of very capable and consummate professionals. I was so impressed with what I saw that within the first ten minutes of watching Pippin’s opening act, I leaned over to my wife and whispered, “How can we get MiniMac in here?”

By the end of the show I had enjoyed every song and every dance and I had enjoyed the frantic “Grand Finale” moments on stage as much as I hung on the deafening quiet moments of Pippin’s awkward realization. It was a show for all of us as we wonder if our greatest lives and greatest selves might very well be right in front of our eyes. I know for one that I felt like I had been to the edge of Broadway that day and I had been given a very special treat. If StarStruck is going to be doing more performances, I will undoubtedly be somewhere in their audience.