Finley Duo to Perform in
Off-Broadway Musical
A pair of J. Taylor Finley Middle School students will take the stage in Procida Creative International’s world premiere of its new Off-Broadway musical, Reddi High. Seventh grader Chloe Wheeler and eighth grader Keenan Lyons will perform in New York City.
Producer/actress Brooke Procida Ritchie (The Sopranos, As The World Turns) began writing the script with seven of her tween students in July 2013 as part of a summer workshop for young writers. The group, ranging in age from 9-13 at the time, were continually being told in their auditioning lives that they were too old for Matilda and Annie, but too young for Les Mis and Hairspray. “Keep practicing and come see us again when you’re older,” casting directors and agents would say.
Members of the group decided to take matters into their own hands and create a new show for the apparent lost genre in the world of musical theatre: tweens and teens.
Reddi High tells the story of a group of tweens and teens who are just trying to make it through another day at school and figure out what they really want in their young lives. Themes of self-expression, self-love, bullying and standing up for who and what you believe in weave their way through the charming and funny plot.
With songs from Ted Arthur and Brooke Procida Ritchie, Reddi High has been described as “poignant and touching and remains relevant to our times with no risk of going out of style” as it draws from several musical genres including Motown, classic rock, hip hop, pop and more.
Ms. Wheeler (Dream Street, A Christmas Story) has been double-cast as leading lady Lana Smith. “Reddi High is an amazing opportunity for people between the ages of 12 and 16 because there aren’t many jobs in shows for that age range,” the Finley seventh grader said.
Ms. Wheeler will also appear in the professional production of Miracle on 34th Street at the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport this holiday season. For more credits and information, visit www.chloetaylorwheeler.com.
Mr. Lyons will play the lead role of Logan in the new show. “I think the most exciting thing about being part of this world premiere is that I get to work with Brooke and with this amazing cast of Reddi High,” the Finley 13-year old said. “I also think it’s really cool to be in the cast of a musical that was written by kids the same age as me.”
The show’s junior production staff will also be made up of young volunteers between the ages of 10 and 17 who want to learn more about working in live theatre. The foundation of PCI’s mission is to teach entrepreneurial and personal life skills to young artists so they increase their chances of longevity and success in a very demanding and competitive field.