"But Craig!" I hear you protest, exclamation point and all, "Fame isn't your type of show at all! What the hell are you talking about?!"

Check this out. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=62201340246

And then check out their website: http://www.justsouthofbroadway.com

I was invited to be part of an advisory panel for this show on the night before they are to be adjudicated. Sort of a pre-adjudication. Yes, all you actors who have worked with me -- I was invited to come in and take notes. And no, they had no idea what they were getting into with that, so stop laughing and pay attention.

This is an amazing group of kids, headed by Allison Orr. Apparently they started as a group of high school students being badly directed in a show. They said, "We can do this better" and have proceeded to do it. They pulled together resources and Fame is their third production.

And they did an incredible fuckin' job! I've never seen Fame, being a snob about that type of musical. Did I like the script? Not especially. Did I enjoy the show? Absolutely.

With (A) arts programs being cut from schools higgledy-piggledy and (B) a shortage of auditioning younger actors these days, these people need to be supported! If for no other reason, to scout recruits for your own theatre -- because this is an extremely talented bunch of young actors. Talking to some of them after I gave my notes (yes, there were still some of them willing to talk to me after notes), revealed that they are also hard-working, enthusiastic and dedicated.

It's an ensemble, so I'm not going to mention anybody specific; they were all terrific. One exception to mention: Maureen Davies, who sings better with a strep throat than many women do with healthy ones. I mentioned "dedicated", right?