By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
With Kids from Wisconsin now touring the state, giving anywhere from five to six performances a week, the polished stage presence seems to be a given.
But what isn’t seen is the work behind the scenes. For three weeks in June, working in the bunny building on the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, the 33-member cast – along with alternates and a dedicated staff – commit the show to memory.
On a warm, mid-June afternoon, head choreographer Cheryl Swift was trying to get the guys in the cast to understand just what it means to, well, shake.
“You’re all shook up,” explained Swift, trying to get cast members to pick up the hip movement of the famous Elvis Presley.
Breaking down each section of this part of the show – a selection of oldies, including Elvis – the warm sun heated the largely open building, forcing water breaks and rest stops.
It was just one of 17 days worth of the Kids camp, where all the cast members plus nine alternates committed the show to memory. Two days of dress rehearsal on June 20 and 21, and then the cast gave its premiere performance at West Allis Hale on June 22.
The Burlington area has a strong representation in this year’s show. BHS graduate Madison Gruman is in her third year with Kids – and her last. She will age out of the program after this summer.
“I think it’s all for the experience,” Gruman said Monday, preparing for the Kids’ performance that night in New Richmond. “I guess I really just like this organization, because it’s really professional and it’s really fun.
“I get to be around other talented teens,” she added.
The Kids from Wisconsin have toured the state since 1969, becoming an independent, non-profit organization in 1982. Since then, the dancers and singers as well as band members have performed before about 100,000 people each summer.
The shows touch on just about every genre and age of modern music, including American favorites, big band, 1950s to 1980s classics, Motown, country, Broadway and current top hits.
The show is staffed with professionals who have spent time literally all over the world. Among them is Burlington resident Peggy Morgan Strimple, the assistant choreographer, outreach coordinator and administrative assistant.
But after 15 years of professional experience as an entertainer, including time in Chicago, Strimple wanted to return to her Wisconsin roots.
“Burlington was the perfect fit,” Strimple wrote in an email interview. “I instantly found a welcoming and wonderful relationship with the music and theatre departments at BHS choreographing.”
Burlington just celebrated a successful season at Wisconsin’s Tommy Awards, winning several honors, including one for Strimple’s choreography.
Coming back to Kids after being a performer herself in 1987 was also a natural fit.
“I jumped at the chance to give back to an organization that instilled in me an amazing work ethic and helped build my career foundation,” she wrote.
She’s not the only area staff member. Catholic Central High School Music Director Zach Zeigler is also helping, as tour director and the stage band director. In addition, Elkhorn teens Zoe Gatz and Nathan Huberty (a CCHS student) were camp alternates.
The camp experience, Gruman said, helps prime the cast for a summer’s worth of touring, which also includes twice-a-day performances at the Wisconsin State Fair.
“It helps us become more professional and we end up putting together a really great show,” Gruman said. “All of our hard work really pays off and is worth it.”
If you go…
What: Kids from Wisconsin performance
When: Friday, July 8, 7 p.m.
Where: Burlington High School, 400 McCanna Parkway, Burlington.
How much: Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. They are available at The Coffee House at Chestnut and Pine, 492 N. Pine St., Burlington, or at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2546204
More: A separate outreach clinic will be held July 8 at 3:30 p.m. at Catholic Central High School, 148 McHenry St., Burlington. The program is for community youth. To sign up, email [email protected] or call 414-266-7067.
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