Uncovering remarkable gifts

Eastbluff Summer Theater Workshop gives kids a chance to perform and excel in their own way.

The 1920s-era gangster costumes featured in this year’s Eastbluff Summer Theater Workshop meet all of Ruvin Gertsen’s qualifications. In other words, they’re cool — a quality that’s important to the average adolescent.

And considering the costumes used in last year’s summer production, Ruvin was extra-grateful during a dress rehearsal Monday as he relished his gold-embroidered vest and black fedora and confidently glided across the stage.

“Last year, in ‘Frog and Toad,’ I had to go out on stage in an old-fashioned bathing suit with big stripes, and it was kind of one of my moments,” said Ruvin, 14, as he turned a slight shade of red. “I was a little embarrassed.”

But this year, “embarrassed” isn’t part of the performers’ vocabulary.

Director Annie Lindt, who is a parent of one former and one current Eastbluff student, said the musical is a chance for kids to excel in their own way.

“You uncover these remarkable gifts that they have that they didn’t know they had, their parents didn’t know they had, and you find a piece of that child and you showcase it. They get confidence — so much confidence — from this,” Lindt said.

Now in its fifth year of singing, acting and dancing, the summertime play boasts a former Disney choreographer, four teenage volunteers and 46 dedicated — if not experienced — cast members ages 7 to 15.

Lindt describes the Eastbluff show as a “pet project” she began with a friend five years ago. Lindt’s own daughter enjoyed her experience in the Eastbluff Elementary sixth-grade play, but quickly found that her options to practice drama thereafter were limited.

The only programs available to her daughter required a background in dancing and acting — exposure her daughter simply hadn’t had, Lindt said.

“We look for kids like my daughter who are interested in theater, and we look for kids who don’t find their niche in sports,” Lindt said. “They all learn to work together and it becomes their sport.”

Indeed, plenty of teamwork is required to pull off the scenes that involve large numbers of the cast launching into song, such as “Sweet Sam’s Grand Slam,” in which Paige Bodovitz, 11, sings and hoists a soda glass and spoon over her head.

“I like being a different person for an hour and a half. My character is rude and nasty and doesn’t care about anybody,” said Paige, who plays Mrs. Goodbar in this year’s performance. “But I’m not rude or nasty, and I care about people,” she was quick to add.

Inspecting her lime-green glass and fuchsia spoon, Paige declared, “I think we’ll have a very good opening night.”

IF YOU GO

WHAT: “Bugsy Malone, Jr.” by the Eastbluff Summer Theater Workshop

WHERE: Eastbluff Elementary School, 2627 Vista del Oro in Newport Beach

WHEN: July 31-Aug. 2, 7 p.m. nightly

COST: $6 per ticket

INFO: Call (949) 760-8251 for tickets; e-mail [email protected] for more information