Ridge man gets you humming
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If you come out of Theatre Three's current children's show humming the tunes, it's thanks to the composing skills of Kevin Story, a 23-year-old Ridge resident who was recently hired by Theatre Three as a jack-of-all-trades. He's musical director of "Little Bo-Peep and the Great Lost Sheep Caper," and he rewrote the show's score.
In addition to directing music and composing, Mr. Story acts in many of the shows and does lighting and sound design.
"He's a real find," said Jeffrey Sanzel, executive artistic director at Theatre Three. "A very gifted young man."
Brent Erlanson's passing last year left a big void in Theatre Three. He was with the company almost 30 years, according to Mr. Sanzel. The executive director said he and Mr. Erlanson wrote nearly 100 shows together and Mr. Erlanson also belonged to the acting company. Though clearly grieved by Mr. Erlanson's passing, Mr. Sanzel was also clearly enthusiastic about the new relationship with Mr. Story. He said Mr. Story stepped right in and got to work.
Mr. Story grew up in Ridge and said the Longwood High School theater experience with former teacher Bradlee Bing was one in which he could gain good skills and "kind of catch that bug." His musical training and inspiration started at home. His father, Paul Story, is a professional pianist and is also executive director of Longwood Youth Theatre Experience, a community "education based acting environment." Kevin went on to get a BFA in theater at Five Towns College and founded Lytehouse Entertainment, an acting environment for high school and college kids after they've been in LYTE. Mr. Story hasn't yet determined what will happen with Lytehouse Entertainment's tradition of a summer show now that he has his full-time position at Theatre Three.
He says he's enjoyed his new position, which he's had since September, and that it's hard for people in the arts to do the work they want to, especially in these difficult economic times.
"It's great go to work to do something you love to do," he said.
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