Local theatre group to perform Wicked

Posted on May 18, 2018 by Abby Whitlatch in Features, News // 0 Comments

Gayle Cuneo

The Carnegie Library in Connellsville has many activities for children and teenagers, but C Glee is one of its most thriving. Led by local musician Gayle Cuneo, C Glee is a theatre club with three age groups for adults, teens, and children starting at age 5.

C Glee will be performing it’s seasonal shows in the coming weeks; for this spring, they will be performing shows inspired by the Wizard of Oz, called “Oz Fest.”

The adult group performed The Wiz on May 11, the teens will perform portions of the musical Wicked on May 17 and 18, and the “Wee Ones” will be performing The Wizard of Oz on June 1 and 2.

“I wanted the shows to have a flow from one to another,” said Cuneo. “The idea of this show just popped into my head.”

The upcoming show, the teen’s performance of Wicked, is ready to be put on the stage this week.

Cuneo says it’s “a challenging show,” but these group of teens have managed well.

“Wicked is a challenge for performers because the music is both difficult and intense,” said Cuneo. “The acting incorporates both drama and comedy, and the teens have nailed it. After all, everyday drama is their expertise.”

Makayla Harvey, left

Freshman Makayla Harvey has been apart of C Glee for the last two years and portrays Glinda in “One Short Day” in this year’s production.

“Needless to say, this show has been an adventure in itself,” said Harvey. “It has had its twists and turns, but I’m excited to see how it all turns out.”

Chloe Gillott, left, and Melanie Gillott, right

Senior Melanie Gillott says C Glee is always the highlight of her week.

“I always push to Friday knowing I’m able to go perform and hang out with some of my favorite theatre friends,” said Gillott.

Val Bowman, left, and Kaelei Whitlatch, right

Junior Kaelei Whitlatch is “so excited” to perform “Defying Gravity” as Glinda.

“I get to sing with one of my good friends, Val Bowman (a junior at Connellsville Area High School),” Whitlatch said. “We have so much fun performing it. It’s a very challenging song, and it’s definitely made me grow as an actor and musician.”

Cuneo is hopeful that Oz Fest will help for the future of C Glee.

“I hope that people attend the show to support these young people that devote themselves to the performing arts,” said Cuneo.”I also hope to recruit many others to participate. C Glee a challenge but the experience is so very much fun.”

The C Glee teens will perform “Wicked” this Thursday and Friday, May 17 and 18 at the Carnegie Library in Connellsville. The Friday night show is sold out, but tickets are available for Thursday and will be sold at the door.

Cuneo will be holding a C Glee summer camp called “Step In Time,” with registration starting on July 6 from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Carnegie Free Library in Connellsville. This camp is to help prepare for the musical beginning in September called Mary Poppins Jr. If you would like to support Cuneo in her campaign to cover tuition and other investments, donate on C Glee’s GoFundMe: http://www.gofundme.com/spoonfullofsugar