"WE GOT THE BEAT" BRINGS RAVE REVIEWS!

Story by Elayna Freiberg
Photos by Allen Lawrence

The Indio Performing Arts Center was filled with families last weekend to see the production of THE RAGAMUFFIN PROJECT: WE GOT THE BEAT! The show was written, produced and directed, by Noemi Villela-Dean and Tres Dean of Just 2 to Tango Productions. Some of the original sketches included jabs at pop culture phenomena Hannah Montana, Justin Bieber and iconic ’90s talk show host, Rikki Lake. It was all in the name of comedy, of course.

According to Villela-Dean, their vision was to form a children’s acting troupe that was an “all encompassing” theater production with fast-paced sketch comedy, changing sets on stage, and helping each other with makeup and costume changes.

Tres and Noemi still do private acting lessons for adults and children, but their passion is bringing out the character development in would-be stars, ages 8-18. The classes generally run four to six weeks with a production at the end of each session.

Tres and Noemi are hoping to bring National attention to their workshops for children, by starting a nonprofit foundation for the children who can’t afford the classes but have a passion for acting.

“This is a great outlet for kids, and it keeps them out of trouble,” according to Synda Parker, one of the moms who brought her son to the play. She plans to enroll him in the fall session.

The kids are definitely talented and have impressive comedic timing.

Two of the duos in the play have been collaborating for three years, now. Miranda Hane and KC Wexler have acted together in several performances and have a comfort level of each other’s comedic timing. They have an Abbott-and-Costello-type relationship with one of the skits having the duo reading the “Local News.”

Lindsey Freiberg and Courtney Alcano have a similar relationship. They preformed a perfect “Hee Haw”-type skit that included the back and forth banter of a “That’s Good, No That’s Bad” conversation that was witty and fast moving.

The kids are not only actors, but singers, as well. Several of the actors sang a tribute to the Beatles song “Can’t Buy Me Love,” with the act appropriately called “Beatless.” Led by vocalist Viktoria Hane, the foursome held “real” guitars and had a screaming audience of kids in the front row.

The two-hour show ended with a standing ovation, from the audience.

Tres and Noemi plan to take the summer off with their family, but will resume classes in the fall with registration starting in August.

Saturday, May 22, 2010