LAYTON -- When Dave Thomas became a grandpa, he learned something about Layton Commons Park.
"Sometimes you run out of things to do there," said Thomas, Layton's recreation division supervisor.
Thomas hopes that will not be the case this summer as "FUNaddicts!" makes its debut at the Ed Kenley Theater on June 11.
"FUNaddicts!" is a new premiere-team performance group that will soon be assembled to entertain families at the park on Saturday mornings and Monday nights.
Thomas has turned the project over to co-directors Lori Olsen, Charlene Adams and Laura Crossett, who will be in charge of the production. The show will be like having a local Mickey Mouse Club, Kids Inc. or Zoom -- depending on your childhood era -- performing live on stage.
Just like on those shows, the "FUNaddicts!" performers are likely to become famous in the community.
"It will be a higher-level group," Olsen said. "We'll have head-shot pictures that they sign at the performances."
The group will also have the opportunity to do studio recordings, but more importantly the hourlong show will serve a specific purpose to help the residents of Layton.
"We want people to feel a sense of community," Adams said. "Layton is a great place to live, and we want to be able to convey that."
For several summers, Layton has sponsored a similar show at the theater. However, it was mostly a puppet show and the voices were prerecorded. This show will be more fun for the performers, which should be more entertaining for the crowd, Olsen said.
"We're transitioning into more improvisation, singing and dancing," Olsen said.
"It will be like a variety show, with a lot of audience participation," Adams said.
The shows will involve singing, dancing, acting, improvisation and puppeteering. The teen performers will interact with the puppets in a way similar to The Muppet Show.
While the puppets, made by Puppet Partners in Kaysville, will be a hit with the crowd, they will not be the stars of the show.
Fifteen talented young stars, from ages 12 to 18, will comprise the team. In order to be selected, they will have to pass an audition April 29-30, and the auditions are by appointment only. Those interested should call Layton Parks and Recreation Department at 801-336-3924 to schedule a time.
Those auditioning will have to sing an upbeat song for a minute and tell a joke.
"A clean, family joke," Adams said.
They will also learn a short dance routine and play a few improvisational games.
"FUNaddicts!" creators see the show returning each summer for several years, meaning the younger performers could continue to entertain each year, while the older ones graduate and new members join the cast.
Those behind the scenes of "FUNaddicts!" hope the performances will become a longstanding, community tradition.
"It's a free performance," Olsen said. "It will be a chance for families to spend time together."
Comments