FAME: The Musical

Comedy, drama, and a bit of romance, are on the menu in this theatrical showcase, featuring many first time performers of the Freeport Player’s Guild. Making their stage debuts as students of The High School of the Performing Arts in New York City, this performance tells the story of the last class to graduate from the 46th Street school before moving uptown to Lincoln Center in 1984. A school of the performing arts, teaching acting, music, and dance, FAME is a paramount story of the painstaking pursuit of passion. Have you any idea what it takes to make it? The production team of Gloria McGlone, director/producer Ivy Eldon, choreographer Lois Seiler, and musical director Sheena Moree, have together been responsible for preparing this showcase that aspires to inspire you. 

No theatre worth visiting exists without a body of actors well suited to take on the various roles available to them. FAME stands out due to its well cast performers, trained by director Gloria McGlone, and provided with everything else they could possibly need by producer, Ivy Eldon. The mentorship of such ladies has provided for these pupils of the theatre, a groundbreaking platform that they can only now grow from, extending upward into greatness. So much talent is exhibited here, principally, the role of Tyrone, played by Luke Ignace and Deltin Sejour. This character will sweep you off your feet with his upbeat hip-hop super-style in dance and phrasing. His collective vibe of electric energy and on stage chemistry will entice you.

A dynamic choreography by Lois Seiler mixes Jazz and Ballet with a modern twist in a series of combinations that are amusing, uplifting, and electrifying. Although there are only a few obviously highly trained dancers in this cast, particularly in the role of Iris, played by ballerina alternates, Katie Hindley and Alexis DeGregory, many of the dancers cast in this show are only able to execute basic classical dance moves, which makes Seiler’s choice of choreography ideal for this group. Her focus is more about the dramatization of grand and exciting movement that helps the stage play to come alive with vibrant synchronized feelings of expression. Frankly, the cast of this show, in motion, do give the impression that they were highly trained, perhaps due to the quality of excellence in choreography and expert instruction by Lois Seiler.

The body of singers, many possessing a great deal of natural talent, have found their voices. Under the tutelage of Gloria McGlone the altos, sopranos, tenors, and basses of this group have all learned to harmonize well together. The music is enjoyably stirring and brings the entire show together in a riveting wave of vibrations. One particular character to watch is Carmen, played by Marlena Leonard and Eden Gaitor, with understudy Jade Barnett. All three of these young ladies are immensely talented, not only as singers, but as overall performers, bringing life and strength of character to the multi-dimensional Carmen. 

Sheena Moree has also done an amazing job honing the young players into virtuosos. This show boasts a live body of musicians who are able to synchronize their individual instruments as though a noble orchestra, bouncing the tones of keys and strings and percussion instruments, ringing spectacularly through the air. A harmonic symphony of live music at a theatrical performance about a body of super talented kids who are able to dance and sing and act and play musical instruments is the final touch… the glue that holds it all together. The fusing variation of talent is contagious at the house of FAME. You don’t want to miss this highly stylized off-broadway musical treat, presented right here in Freeport Bahamas. 

“FAME” reminds you of the struggles in life during the dynamics of adolescence. It is about the journey of trying to find yourself, and aspiring to become everything that you believe you were born to be. True to life, the kids at this school believe that they were made for FAME, and the teachers at this school will do everything that they can to help that dream to come true. FAME is definitely a performance worth seeing. It is a show that you will be sure to enjoy. This dynamic supports our youth and their eagerness to embrace the arts and its culture, and is a move in the right direction toward keeping the theatrical arts “a la vie” in Freeport. 

A dynamic summer spent ‘camping out’ at the Regency Theatre, since the onset of productions. From auditions and casting, choir practice, dance rehearsals, drilling lines and discovering how to bring characters to life, the kids in this production have assembled the pieces and are ready to take to the stage in order to tell the story of their quest for FAME.

(Photos Courtesy of Ana-Alicia Carroll)

The Jeweled Julia

Photo Story by: Nicole LeBlanc

Julia Geiger is one of the finest dancers of our generation.  She possesses a great confidence, exudes strength and power in her owned grace and beauty, always commanding the spotlight on any stage.  Shakespeare pointed out to us that “the world is a stage”, and Julia reminds us of this truth every day.  This showgirl is a storyteller that is reflective of her extended ballet vocabulary and mastery of core technique, executing each choreographed number flawlessly.

Julia is on her way to becoming one of the greatest dancers of our time; on the path toward being known as one of the most influential artists, and highly contributes to the overall wealth of talent and treasures within our performing arts community of the Bahamas.  We remember Julia’s performances always as memorable, impressionable, and inspiring – breathtakingly so, her grand gestures of exquisite theatrics are an eye catching habit that is based on such precision that she makes it look easy.

Photo Story by: Nicole LeBlanc

A dancer, highly skilled in ballet, tap, jazz, ethnic, modern, and hip hop, the pre-professional level perfectionist student is highly versed and exceptionally skilled, superbly trained for more than seven years, primarily at the Lois Seiler Academy of Dance.  Julia is a well rounded, seasoned performer, familiar with the stage from all angles – as a leading lady actress of the theatre, and as a high-fashion model on the runways, Julia is considered a triple threat of beauty brains and brawn. 

For sure, Julia possesses a certain star power, and is not afraid to use it, but when she is not ravishing in the spotlight of productions and relishing in her regal demand for public notice and media attention, she is just a behind the scene nerd girl who loves science, especially for its altruistic possibilities for the development of green peace projects.  Now in her high school senior year, Julia perceives that she will return to her birth country of Vienna Austria where she will continue to dance, perhaps minor in some modeling, or dabble a bit in the theatrical spotlight, but most importantly, to indulge herself in the passionate study of the sciences.

Photo Story by: Nicole LeBlanc

Of course it is no surprise that the artistically gifted Julia is also scientifically gifted.  In order to be as great a dancer as Julia has become throughout her years, one must be committed to the pursuit of excellence – to be well rounded in all aspects of life, and to harness a dynamic potency toward discipline, control, and focus.  Julia’s strength is in her dedication to form and structure, but also in the applied knowledge of her areas of expertise.  As Julia prepares to diversify by extending her natural gifts as well as supernatural abilities, to make a supreme platform for her future, The Top Models of the Bahamas Association wishes to take this opportunity to first and foremost recognize her ultimate rise to greatness.

Photo Story by: Nicole LeBlanc

We love Julia because she perfectly remembers every choreography, because she flawlessly executes every technical instruction, because she tirelessly rehearses until her feet hurt, and after her body aches more than enough.  She practices over and over again, until she believes that she is fully prepared to the best of her ability.  We love Julia because she performs her heart out every single time, and her effervescent glow of supernova star power is a contagious one that blesses her with an inability to hide from the spotlight.  Instead is always glorious in harmony with the artistic vision of performance masterpieces, as she puts her heart and soul, mind and body, on the line every time that she gives herself to the performance of a number.

As Julia dances, all eyes are on her, and the world is at her feet.  She knows that she only has one shot to do it right… so she becomes one with that moment of presenting the gift of her painstaking preparation to you.  In that moment, you watch Julia dance for the first time, every time, and you melt for her, and you live in that moment with her as she tells you the story that will open your heart, and change your whole world in a precious, unforgettable instant.

Photo Story by: Nicole LeBlanc

EryMo's Productions Presents

Erykah Monique
"Know Thyself 242"

The multi-talented artist, Erykah Monique is the founder and chief designer of her own clothing and jewelery collection called Know Thyself 242, as well as chief photographer, producer, director, and editor of The "EryMo Media" Production Company.  The Know Thyself 242/EryMo entity is established on the basis of Erykah’s cultural and social cause for ethnic empowerment, spiritual and mental enlightenment, and her perspective as a revolutionary movement of a youthful people, proactive toward revelations of self realization and the actualization of relative truths.  She addresses issues about race, religion, and relationships by attempting to open the minds of her peers, asking the controversially uncomfortable questions.

"Peace" by: Erykah Monique

This young community leader has, for this cause, created the free thinking and open discussion driven group Know Thyself 242, which although based primarily on Facebook is a physically interactive entity of individuals, mostly of African descent, who are eager to reconnect with their heritage as black people, filled to the brim with melanin pigmentation, if lucky enough.  It is a movement of young thinkers, illustrating their owned philosophies on life, as they go beyond the common beliefs or widely accepted notions to seek a greater truth.  Here, it is widely perceived that to Know Thyself is to know god – and thus is the undefined knowledge of self realization that is sought within the hearts of this spiritual family.

"Love" by: Erykah Monique

Erykah can be described as a natural woman, deeply in touch with nature and the roots of the earth.  She wears the heritage of her smooth, dark skin and well groomed and healthy tress of growing dread locks.  This willowy feminine silhouette is a student of the stars who would deem it most important that you recognize her as a Gemini. Known for being multi-taskers as the Gemini females are, perhaps is one explanation for the wide ranging dexterity of Erykah.  Did we mention that she loves to cook, and is currently writing a cookbook for vegetarians for those who appreciate natural based recipes and healthy goodness. 

"Art" by: Erykah Monique

The types of people involved in the Know Thyself 242 group movement are artists, photographers, writers, dancers, singers, musicians, entrepreneurs, sportsmen, educators, students, and a general body of people who live alternative lifestyles do to their aptitude for free thinking.  This group offers a system of support for individuals who deems it important to question an acquired body of knowledge, and to seek deeper meanings, and higher purposes, in the meaning of life, and the identity of god as one with the identity of self.

"EryMo" by: Juno's Photography

Erykah Monique is a leader of dynamic proportions, creating an avid environment for the nurturing of growth and personal advancement.  She, through entrepreneurial establishments, have set in place candid merits by which individuals can have a safe place whereby to begin this interpersonal journey, the support of a group of familiar people with similar goals, and the opportunity for meaningful discussion of controversial depth on the path toward enlightenment.

Erykah Monique continues to set the pace for our Afro-Caribbean community, effectively raising the bar for self respect and ethnic pride, in appreciation for where the black people come from, what the black people look like, and an inspired adoration for what it means to be a black beauty.  Here, Erykah Monique is the trail blazer that is creating new traditions for the descendants of an African heritage.  Her remarkable spirit is helping to empower the children of once slaves to become the fathers of the future leaders of a free people, a nation united in freedom and truth.  Erykah Monique of EryMo Productions and the Know Thyself 242 family, are bounded together in taking cohesive action toward redirecting the image of the Afro-Caribbean individual, as an enthusiastic call to empowerment through enlightenment. 

Frequent Meeting Place of Know Thyself 242 Group
At the Pier: Photo by Garelle Hudson

"Know Thyself 242"
Brand by Erykah Monique

"Erykah Monique Photography"
In this photo: Jalan Harris "Juno"

"ERYMO Media"

"Know Thyself 242"
A Meeting Caught on Candid Camera
By Lyndah Wells Photography