Over the years, I have seen many local productions of musical theater: school plays, summer theater camps for kids, and community theaters. It is always a joy to see a young performer step outside the local area to pursue his or her dream. One such performer, Connor Frawley, a freshman at Fairfield Warde High School, is doing just that, having earned the leading role of "Madoc Dean" in the musical Count To Ten, an official selection of the 2009 New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF). The show is one of 35 musicals selected by the Festival, which has led the way for such Broadway shows as Next To Normal and Title of Show.
According to the press release, “[Michael] Blevins’ musical follows a tap-dancing writer whose Broadway ambitions are thwarted because his new musical lacks a real love story. Forced to develop the show at a performing arts camp full of spoiled, rich, and in some cases neglected stars of tomorrow, he finds he can no longer tap-dance around his issues and succumbs to the true call of his heart. Count To Tenis a cross-generational, dance-filled, upbeat musical everyone can 'tap' into.”
Director/Choreographer and author Michael Blevins, most widely known for his portrayal of "Mark" in the film A Chorus Line, began rehearsals with Connor in mid-September. Blevins notes, “Connor’s role is a demanding one requiring him to act, sing, tap dance and even do gymnastics. He’s a talented and endearing performer.”
Locally, Connor has appeared in musical productions at Bridgeport’s Downtown Cabaret Theatre and Fairfield Teen Theatre, and danced competitively at the D’Valda & Sirico Dance & Music Center. “I’ve been tap dancing since I was four years old,” Connor says. “There is a lot of dancing in Count To Ten. It is fun and challenging.”
Prior to opening night, I spoke to Connor about the audition process, how he is balancing being in the show with the demands of being a high school freshman, and the support he has received from friends and family in pursuing this dream of performing in New York theater.
Article comments
1 - Derek Signore
Cindy, have been reading your reviews for a while now, i currently run a music and culture magazine in fairfield County called The Sound, would like to invite you to write for us as well. Please let me know [personal contact info deleted]. Sorry for the informal nature of this post, couldnt find a way to contact you, even joined blog critics, but was unable to find contact info there either. Please let me know.