Veteran CTE members return to stage classic fairy tale

A generation has come and gone since the Children's Theatre of Elgin first offered a stage to Fox Valley kids.

Three veteran members of the program will return to guide the newest crop of young performers in this weekend's production of “Sleeping Beauty,” which is the theater company's 25th anniversary season opener.

“All three of our staff are alums,” said producer Dawn Bushaus.

Performances are set for Friday, April 13, through Sunday, April 15, at the Hemmens in Elgin.

Director and Elgin native Allison Cherry is a third-grade teacher at Prairie View Grade School in Elgin. Cherry has worn many hats during her stint as director by choosing the music and adapting the script, which was originally outlined by another CTE graduate, Jacob Akemann of Elgin.

“Allison Cherry is so smart and such a great director, and I'm so impressed to see her come into her own through CTE,” said choreography director Andy Bero, who also hails from Elgin.

Bero, who holds a degree from Millikin University, has been working as a professional entertainer for 10 years.

“I've toured with two Broadway productions: ‘Wonderful Town' and ‘Jesus Christ Superstar.' I moved to New York. I did a show in Vegas and another one in Atlantic City and I was the lead singer for a Royal Caribbean (cruise) ship for two contracts,” he added.

Vocal director Jonathan Horn, originally from Sleepy Hollow, recently graduated from North Central College in Naperville with a degree in music education.

All three staff members spent a bulk of their childhood treading the boards at CTE and regard the organization as a predominant influence in their lives.

“It's always been family to me; it's always been a home,” said Cherry. “I started in second grade and went through CTE and Fox Valley (Theatre Company), the sister company you can go to when you go through CTE.”

“They're good people and they have a really good idea about educational theater and artistic education,” said Bero. “I think it's unmatched.”

“CTE is in this really amazing position right now where they've been around for 25 years,” added Bero. “A lot of the notable alumni or people who have participated in it have gone on to have professional careers and they're able to come back and lend different abilities to productions.

“When we were younger it was a way for us to perform and now that we're older, we share artistic skills to pass onto the next generation,” he said.

Cherry first participated in CTE in 1992 and that childhood experience has helped her through the daunting task of shepherding 110 kids through the rigors of a musical production.

“I am a second grade teacher so that's a big help and I have a theater background and going through schooling; having that as a background helps,” said Cherry.

“We've accepted a very large cast of students, 110 children,” said Bushaus, whose children currently participate in CTE's “Sleeping Beauty.” Although the number of kids in need of direction might be intimidating to some, Bero, who came to CTE as a performer in 1998, isn't fazed.

“It's just a numbers game. Because there are so many schedules, you never get everybody in the same room,” he said.

“They all come here ready to learn. They all come here ready to work,” Bero added.

Max Romano, a 14-year-old Sleepy Hollow resident who has participated in 20 shows and is portraying Prince Maximus is one of those hard workers.

“I play the egotistic prince. My director keeps telling me that she typecasted me,” he said with a laugh. “I'm going to hope that she's lying.”

Prince Maximus is no fairy tale prototype, according to Max.

“The prince is usually the hero, but in this case, I'm definitely not the hero. I'm scared of almost everything.”

“I was hoping to get the Prince because it's a really funny role and I tend to lead toward comedy,” said Romano, who has been accepted to Chicago's Academy of the Arts.

Romano credits the atmosphere and fellow thespians for his long tenure with CTE. “You build up a family after you've done a couple shows and you can't stop. This has really brought me to come out of my shell. I wasn't a super-shy kid, but I've learned to be a better performer and face nervousness. Plus you make a ton of friends.”

Larissa Catalano, 14, began her CTE journey in the fourth grade. Catalano, who plays Ashley in “Sleeping Beauty,” believes CTE has been a maturing influence in her life.

“When I was first started I'd look down at my feet, I was really shy,” she said. “But now I can't even describe with words … My voice has gotten better and I've found more joy through this.

“The people there are tremendous and everything about it has been like family. It's been such a big part of my life. They really make an effort to know you on a personal level which has made it that much greater,” said the Campton Hills native.

While most everyone knows the story of “Sleeping Beauty,” a princess who is cursed by an evil witch to sleep until she is awakened by her true love's kiss, Catalano said kids in the audience will be able to relate to the contemporary references in this play.

“It's still the (classic) fairy tale, but with humor and modern songs, and how typical teenagers act and the social media which is so prevalent today really changes the story,” said Catalano. “I think that it's really awesome and very creative.”

“I play a pixie who is boy crazy,” she continued. “In the forest there have never been boys, so when all the mortals have been sent to the enchanted forest to find the princess, I freak out a bit.”

“Our leads are so talented,” Bero said. “These kids treat themselves as young professionals.”

If the staff of “Sleeping Beauty” gives any indication of the future of these young protégés, they can all look forward to lifelong friendships and a future shaped by their time at CTE.

“All my best friends that I still hang out with are friends from CTE,” Cherry said.

As far as Catalano is concerned, her future is mapped out.

“I want to own a children's theater. It's my dream. I'm always loved little kids and I've fallen in love with directing.

“CTE is my model. It has changed my life tremendously that I want to help others see the greatness in theater and give that to others.”

Cherry looks to the future alums of CTE as well.

“I can't wait to see whose name is going to be up in lights,” she said.

For tickets to or details about “Sleeping Beauty,” call (847) 931-5900 or visit cteelgi.com.

Cast of CTE's "Sleeping Beauty"

Algonquin: Cameron Griffiths, Gabrielle Park, Trevor Wirkus

Bartlett: Natalie Graham, Andrea Winget

Campton Hills: Larissa Catalano

Carpentersville: Mia Eggers, Ashley Estrada, Anna Marie Raneses, Bailee Winchell

Elburn: Tracy Suppes

Elgin: Abigail Anderson, Darren Anliker, Lauren Anliker, Antonio Badani, Jasmin Betancourt, Kayla Brown, Chloe Burkhart, Alisyn Catenacci, Madelyn Cook, Hadley Copeland, Monica Darrow, Allison Dulabaum, Haley Dulabaum, Ibrahim El-Helo, Khaldon El-Helo, Madison Ellett, Julia Fojo, Cara Gorkowski, Collin Gorkowski, Erin Granger, Madeline Hayes, Lauren Hefel, Sophia Hopkins, Hailey Jamrozek, Jacob Janavich, Lucas Janavich, Charles Karner, Jordan Karner, Marissa Kotarba, Hannah Kowalik, Reagan Kowalik, Kaelyn Mack, Sonya Mack, Mary Jane Meck, Adrianna Northrop, Tara O'Connor, Sophia Peterson, Megan Placko, Lauren Powers, Drew Rantz, Mariah Romero, Kaylee Sanda, Lauren Schieler, Quinn Schieler, Paula Schildhouse, Charlotte Semyck, Elisa Soosloff, Channing Sparks, Myka Suarez, Amy Swanson, Sarah Turner, Grace Vitek, Jack Werner, Susan Williams, Shania Young, Corinna Zapata

Gilberts: Andrew Baeder, Lola Jarzemsky, Cole Nyborg, Jake Nyborg, Carly Ogletree

Hampshire: Jamie Anderson, Brayden Beuten, Jessica Goff, Anna McCoy, Michael Morel, Jacob Pearson, Tyler Pearson

Huntley: Kevin Kline

Maple Park: Amanda Schulz, Tristan Schulz

Pingree Grove: Cailynn Johnson

St. Charles: Erin Baker, Jessica Blakely, Nicoletta Calabrese, Shaelyn Donohue, Mara Handler, Morgan Mroz, Adriana Petrucci, Amanda Sallmann, Katherine Vetter, Jessica Winkates

Sleepy Hollow: Gabriel Morse, Sebastian Morse, Max Romano

South Elgin: Leikyn Bravo, Kayla Bussert, Colleen Christensen, Caitlin Groenwald, Melanie Groenwald, Mary-Kate Schutt, Tabitha Ziol

Streamwood: Benjamin Cisco, Grace Cisco, Morgan Hall, Katie Warkel

West Dundee: Alec Neuschaefer, Logan Neuschaefer

If you go

What: Children's Theatre of Elgin's production of “Sleeping Beauty”

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 13; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 14 and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 15

Where: Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin

Tickets: $10, $8 for students and seniors

Details: (847) 931-5900; <a href="http://www.cteelgin.com">cteelgin.com</a>