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AUBURN, Mass. – Auburn youngsters smeared green paint on their face, sang funny songs and danced the night away in the musical “Pom Pom Zombies” on Friday at Auburn High School.
The free performance from the Summer Youth Theater Program included 32 kids who sang and danced to 13 songs in the 1 hour, 45 minute show (with intermission).
Christine Taylor, director of the program who also played Barnacle Betty, said it was a very successful performance.
“The kids put a lot of hard work into it, and they had a lot of fun at the same time,” Taylor said. “The whole reason to do it is to have fun and make an audience entertained, and I think that audience was very entertained. I’m looking forward to the next one already.”
The youth actors had two weeks of practice for the musical. Taylor said two weeks is the perfect length of time if they stay focused, which they did, she said.
“And now they can go enjoy the rest of their summer,” Taylor said.
The musical was described by Taylor as a cross between a 1960s beach blanket movie and a '60s B horror/sci-fi film.
The songs by musical director Nate Newton had a ‘60s feel to them.
The Auburn Department of Recreation and Culture offers the theater program each summer. Kristen Pappas, director of the recreation and culture department, said it is great to be able to offer this program to the community.
“It really enhances their childhood,” Pappas said. “Christine Taylor is incredible, and I feel really lucky that she’s here.”
In addition to the free play, there was a free raffle for Boston Red Sox and Worcester Tornadoes tickets. Joseph Barnes donated four Red Sox tickets and 21 Tornadoes tickets.
The actors in the show included: Katie Lasley, Maeve Cahill, Katie Lepard, Haley Norris, Rachel Lubin, Rylee Rain MacDermott, Cecelia LaBonte, Emma Abbascia, Shayleigh Carlson, Quinne Masiello, Alexa Reheuser, Tyrie Kennedy, Marissa Gallant, Lisa Rockwood, Zachary Taylor, John Nichols, Connor Sampson, Josh Hayes, Brendan Benevento, Grace Stannard, DJ Brigham, Colin Cunningham, Jillian LaBonte, Conor Carlson, Ana Pietrewicz, Maia McKean, Luke LaBonte, Ashley Hayes, Danielle Lubin, Paige Stewart, Genny L. Porter and Katie Smith.
The choreographer was Jackie Johnson, and the program intern was Kathleen Meyer.
Jason Bergman did the lights and sound. Finally, the set construction was done by Scott Taylor, Kevin McGerigle, Kym Meyer, Jeffrey LaBonte and the cast.
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