A very Happy Holidays from A Magical Journey Thru Stages! As a year-ending resolution, we've decided to be louder and bolder about our accomplishments and those who perform and work for us. So we're introducing Stages Spotlight, a semi-regular newsletter about the happenings at Stages and in the lives of our people.

Send us your news and announcements and snapshots to info@mjtstages.com, and we'll be sure to include them in a future issue! (Put "Spotlight" in the subject line!)

Now, on with the news!

• Holiday Gala Rocks
• Celebrating Midtown
• Pluttification
• A Magical Revue
• STAGES ALUMS DOING GOOD WORK

Close to 80 people came to Stages the weekend of December 6 and 7th for our inaugural Holiday Showcase of Stars. They were entertained by a 90-minute program of holiday favorites, with longtime Stages alums Sandy Hollands and Lew Ward-Baker serving as "MCs" for the evening.

Besides Lew and Sandy, the event drew some familiar faces back to our stage: Danny Crandall, Erin Sweeney, Max Denler, Jessica Sardo (who performed with her lovely daughter, Gianna), Amanda Walter and Rebecca Rand.

The event also marked the Rochester debut of a new sketch comedy troupe -- Left Hand Blue. You will be hearing more about LHB in 2008! Planning for next year's showcase is soon to start! If you are interested in volunteering, send a note to info@mjtstages.com!

Celebrating Midtown

Gala members and some invited guests got a unique opportunity to help the city of Rochester celebrate the long and storied history of Midtown Plaza. The city is sponsoring performances in the courtyard of Midtown every day during December through Christmas Eve! Stages kicked off this event with a 45-minute performance on December 6th.

Performers included Hannah Adler (HSM '06, Grease '07), Kyle Kier (HSM '06, Grease '07) and Amanda Walter (HSM '06, Grease '07); Sandy Hollands and Lew Ward-Baker (various Musical Revues); and Rebecca Rand (Christmas Carol '05, Revues). Max Denler, a founding member of Stages, was on the piano.

Pluttification

If you know what the word means you're either a theater-aholic or a parent who has been bringing your daughter to Stages for rehearsals for our next mainstage show, Pippi Longstocking: The Family Musical. The show has been in early rehearsals for several weeks, with a cast of about 30 local girls. It will shift into high gear early in January, with opening night at the end of January.

This show marks the return of director Cara D'Emanuele to Stages, and she's been putting in extra duty. Cara and her colleagues produced a complete adaptation of Pippi over a very compressed time frame just after auditions in early November. (Thank you, Cara and friends!)

Believe it or not, tickets are already being sold for this show, with a special emphasis on girl scout troops. So the show is shaping up to be a blockbuster. Don't wait! Call (585) 935-7173 today!

A Magical Revue

Many people have been asking about plans for our annual musical revue, which raises money for local charity and is the reason Stages came into existence in the first place.

It's definitely still on! We're experimenting with a later schedule. Look for an audition notice for auditions in mid- to late-February, with performances beginning in late April!

There will be some other exciting changes as well, though it's a little too soon to talk about them. Stay tuned! Keep checking at www.mjtstages.com or (585) 935-7173.

Stages Alums Doing Good Work

Last but not least: Our Stages alums have been doing themselves proud this fall. These are but a few of the performers who continue in the spotlight! Please let us know what YOU'RE up to as well so we can celebrate it loud! (If we've overlooked anyone in these shows, let us know as well and we'll update in future issues.)

Evan Adams (Revue 2006) and sisters Jordyn and Alexandra (Revue 2006, HSM 2006) made noise in the northeast region of a prestigious Irish dancing competition. Evan won the Under-11 age group for the Mid Atlantic Region Oireachtas 2007; Alex placed 15th and Jordyn 27th in the Under-13 girls age group. Evan and Alexandra will both be dancing in the World Championships in Belfast, Ireland!

Mrs. Adams advises: "You can Google 'Mid-atlantic region Oireachtas parade of champions' and see the parade of champions dance. It is all the first-place winners and it is a lot of fun to watch. Evan is about the fifth one in. Also you can go to 'universal event photo,' then go to 'view images,' then 'Irish dance championship' and hit 'mid-Atlantic region.' These are the photos I am waiting for. Evan danced on Sunday and the girls danced on Saturday. It will prompt you."

Marissa Bland (Revues, Grease '07) played Dorothy in the Rochester Children's Theater production of The Wizard of Oz. Julia Rossi (Revue '07) was in the ensemble!

Michael Amato (Revues, Summer Camps), Mitchell Canfield (Revues, HSM '06), Michael Centanni (Summer Camp '06), Selene Klasner (HSM '06, Grease '07), Meredith Watson (Christmas Carol '05, Revue '07), Allie Waxman (Christmas Carol '05, Revue '06) and Rebecca Rand (Christmas Carol '05, Revue '04 and '05) are all appearing in the cast of A Christmas Carol at Geva Theater Center.

Erin Sweeney (Revues, HSM '06) and Mitchell Canfield (Revues, HSM '06) had leads in the Penfield High School play, Catch Me If You Can.

Kaitlyn Zorn (HSM '06) played Jesus in Godspell over the summer. Other Stages alums in the cast included Mitchell Canfield (Revues, HSM '06), Erika Lynn Dangler (HSM '06, Revue '07), Kyle Kier (HSM '06, Grease '07) and Dominique Matties (HSM '06, Grease '07).