Eighth-grader Charlotte Bazzle is singing and dancing in the Off-Broadway show with other students.
One Marlton eighth grader is already living her dreams.
DeMasi Middle School student Charlotte Bazzle is among those performing in the Off-Broadway musical “The Little Dancer.”
The show tells the story of 14-year-old Marie Van Goethem, who served as the model for Edgar Degas’ famous sculpture.
While those with the show say what is known of Van Goethem’s life in 19th century Paris can be quite dark, the show seeks to remain true to Van Goethem’s story while simultaneously presenting a show that’s “deliberately sunny.”
As such, the show will fuse singing, dancing and art together in a 55-minute performance meant for the whole family during the holiday season.
In addition to a cast of five professional actors, Charlotte joins 33 other theatrical singers selected by audition from the Garden State Girlchoir, the New Jersey Boychoir, the Pennsylvania Girlchoir and the Keystone State Boychoir.
Steven Fisher, writer of “The Little Dancer,” also serves as director for those choirs, so the students in his upcoming show are those he’s familiar with.
“I really wanted to give a special opportunity for the kids in the choirs that love theater,” Fisher said. “It gives them certain theater experiences they won’t get anywhere else.“
To prepare for “The Little Dancer,” the students have been participating in a weekly workshop with Broadway veterans Richard Vida and Lainie Sakakura in Philadelphia.
In addition, Charlotte said she’s been taking singing lessons since age 7, transitioning into musical theater locally at age 9 and joining Garden State Girlchoir about a year and half ago.
With that in mind, she said getting the chance to perform Off-Broadway in New York City has been a positive experience that’s helping prepare her for a future in the arts.
“I love musical theater and I thought this would be a fun opportunity to see what the real world is like for musical theater, because this is what I want to pursue when I grow up,” Charlotte said.
When asked what attracts her to the world of musical theater, Charlotte pointed to being able to perform with fellow kids while singing, dancing and creating a whole new life of the characters she plays.
“It may not be yours, but you are portraying the lives of different people that you wouldn’t normally play. It’s an interesting experience for me to see what roles I can be and what I am best at,” Charlotte said.
Overall, Charlotte said she thinks the show is something everyone will enjoy.
“The music is fun and upbeat and will make you want to dance in your seats, and you can learn something about Degas’ statute and how it came to be,” Charlotte said.
“The Little Dancer” runs at Theatre 71 at Blessed Sacrament, 152 W. 71st St., 10023, right off Broadway.
The show will run every Saturday and Sunday in December at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
In addition, from Dec. 26 to Dec. 31, the show will run every day at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Tickets for “The Little Dancer” can be purchased at www.thelittledancermusical.org.
