Sixth-grader Sade Mutua is singing and dancing in the Off-Broadway show with other students.
For one Mt. Laurel sixth grader, the bright lights of New York City are here.
Hartford Upper Elementary School student Sade Mutua is 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, Sade 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 participated in a weekly workshop with Broadway veterans Richard Vida and Lainie Sakakura in Philadelphia.
Sade has been part of Garden State Girlchoir for about a year, although she started singing in second grade and later moved into acting when she got the lead role in a church play.
“I want to be an actor when I grow up, so being in this show can help me for my career when I get older and maybe help me be in more musicals on Broadway,” Sade said.
When asked what it is about performing that she enjoys, Sade said the experience is just an exciting way to keep busy.
With the upcoming show in New York, Sade said it’s the most high profile performance she’ll have ever been a part of.
To prepare, Sade has been practicing for about three hours every Sunday since September, with even more rehearsals recently as the show draws closer.
“I’ve made new friends that are from different choirs and I’ve learned about things like ‘stage left’ and ‘stage right’ and all those other things,” Sade said.
Overall, Sade said her favorite part of the show is where the statue she plays comes to life to tell the lesson that sometimes people have to wait for the truly special things in life.
With that, she hopes other people enjoy the show as well.
“It’s a nice family show and it’s really funny,” Sade said.
“The Little Dancer” runs at 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.
