Lewisboro Ledger - 1/30/2003
Talent Not Random For Local Theater Group
BY Amanda Mark
Fresh from a successful run of Annie in August, The Random Farms Kids Theater based in Chappaqua will present the musical Hansel and Gretel Feb 7 through 9 at the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College.
With a running time of over an hour the adaptation is more funny than scary, reports Anya Wallach, producer/director for Random Farms.
The cast features 35 children from Westchester, Putnam and New Jersey, as well as professional adult actors. Katonah's Ariana Seraita, 10, will perform as part of the children's choir.
Hansel and Gretel will be performed Friday, Feb. 7, at 10am (A special school performance but open to the public) and 7pm; Saturday Feb 8 at 3 and 7pm; and Sunday, Feb, 9 at 1. The theater is at 735 Anderson Hill Road in Purchase.
Playing the role of Hansel is 9 year old Sky Jarrett of Chappaqua, who recently played the role pf Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden. This spring he will also appear as the young Antonio Banderas in the Broadway revival of Nine. Alternating in the role of Gretel are Kathryn Faughnan of Pleasantville and Megan Kerwin of Ct.
ABOUT THE THEATER
Ms. Wallach began Random Farms Kids Theater at age 16 in 1995 in the basement of her family's Chappaqua home. At the time the group consisted of 13 actors, including the producer's sister, Susan Wallach now 19 and a student at Pamona College in California.
Ms. Wallach 24, a graduate of Horace Greely High School in Chappaqua and New York University (NYU) in which she majored in musical education said almost eight years after its start Random Farms sees several hundred kids audition for its productions and teaches 60 young actors in its workshops. The groups musical theater program is for first through eighth grade students and its productions are for all ages.
The 42 young actors in the upcoming production of Hansel and Gretel the musical are ages 8-16, said Manhattan resident Ms. Wallach.
Aspiring stage actors are encouraged to contact Ms. Wallach at Random Farms Kids Theater at 212-956-2566.
Directions to the Theater may be found at www.artscenter.org
Tickets are $10. To reserve tickets call the box office at 914-956-6200; tickets also available at the door.
The Lewisboro Ledger - 8/9/01
"Thespians To Invade Katonah August 10-12"
Fresh from a successful run of A Little Princess, in July, The Random Farms Kids Theater will present the musical Newsies August 10-12 at the John Jay Middle School in Katonah. Based on the 1980's newsboys strike in New York City, the play features 35 children and adults from the Westchester-Putnam area.
This is Anya Wallach's seventh summer producing and directing plays with area children. Now 22, Wallach is a senior at New York University and a resident of Chappaqua.
Her first show was put on with neighborhood children in her neighborhood clubhouse. Since then her shows have been performed to near-sell-out crowds at the Chappaqua and Armonk Public Libraries and the Yorktown Stage. Each year she "tampers" with her successful formula - one year adding an orchestra, another year adding elaborate scenery and costumes. This year marks the first time Wallach has done two shows in one season - a real challange considering rehearsals for each show last just three weeks!
A Little Princess was a smashing success during its three-day run in July, enchanting audiences with the qaulity of the singing and acting, as well as the lavish sets and costumes. What struck many of the theater-goers was that this was no ordinary children's play.
Rather, the ensemble of area children and adults, led by the incredible Kim Breden of Yonkers (a professional actress who played the ever-so tyrannical and greedy school headmistress, Miss minchin) made this show sparkle from start to finish. Each and every one of the children sparkeled, and many in the audience shed more than a tear or two in sympathy for the plight of the heroine, Sara Crewe.
Incredibly, this cast rehearsed for less than three weeks. And likewise, for the very talented cast of Newsies, which will be performed at the John Jay Middle School in Katonah: Friday, Aug. 10 at 11 am (a special camp performance) and 7 pm; Saturday, Aug. 11 at 3 pm and 7 pm and Sunday, Aug. 15 at 1 pm. The school is located on Rt. 121, off Rt. 35.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children under 12 and seniors. Group rates are available. For information or tickets, call (914) 944-8057. Also visit the group's website: www.rfkt.org.
