by Susan Fried
"Everything you've learned over the last nine weeks comes together now," Michelle Lang-Raymond said to the nearly 70 young people as they first stepped into Benaroya Hall for a dress rehearsal.
The young actors had been practicing the 2024 Teen Summer Musical Snow Whyte & The Seven five days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the weeks leading up to the performances on Aug. 23 to Aug. 25. The kids were awestruck at the size of the theater, but they immediately got to work perfecting their performances.
The Teen Summer Musical has been a Seattle tradition for over 25 years. In fact, some of the kids in this year's show have parents who performed in the musical when they were kids. During the 10 weeks of rehearsal, the young actors form lifelong friendships and learn how to work as a team as well as learn all about what it takes to put on a big musical production. Many of the kids return year after year.
As usual, this year's musical drew hundreds of enthusiastic fans over its three-day run at Benaroya Hall.
Reflecting on this performance, Executive Director and Music Director Lang-Raymond said, "While we strive to match the exuberance and excellence of every previous year's show, this year's performance was definitely a cut above, matched only by the audience's equally vibrant energy! The Teen Summer Musical's brand of theater is such an interactive and energized experience that everyone from the stage to the seats leaves on a high note. Having this 10-week process culminate and be mounted back at the Benaroya Hall is a memory our kids won't soon or ever forget!"
Susan Fried is a 40-year veteran photographer. Her early career included weddings, portraits, and commercial work — plus, she's been The Skanner News' Seattle photographer for 25 years. Her images have appeared in the University of Washington's The Daily, The Seattle Globalist, Crosscut, and many more.She's been an Emerald contributor since 2015. Follow her on Instagram @fried.susan.
📸 Featured Image: The servants entertain Madame President while slipping in a little of their own "she's cuckoo and crazy" into the performance. (Photo: Susan Fried)
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