Young cast, mature roles

So much for sticking to shows that play to a teenage audience and cast.

For its winter show, the Musical Theatre Academy of Orange County is presenting “Sweet Charity,” a Bob Fosse production about a female dance hall hostess in the 1960s who is in search of love. The main character’s naivete is repeatedly taken advantage of by the men she encounters in New York.

The tale of Charity Hope Valentine is described by some in the 21-person cast as “seductive.” One actress called the story “PG-13,” which is apropos for this group of 12- to 17-year-old aspiring stage performers, about one-third of whom are Newport-Mesa residents.

“We’ve been doing upbeat, turn-of-the-century, tongue-and-cheek shows, and I wanted to go a lot darker,” said Jimmy Hippenstiel, the show’s director. “This is a comedy with substance.”

A few expletives have been deleted to suit the audience, but Hippenstiel said he has stuck to the script as much as possible.

Auditions began at the end of September, and the cast has rehearsed once a week since October -- with daily runs this week leading up to the show.

The young actors from across Orange County agreed that this show presents new challenges for them.

“I’m used to satire and not-so-deep characters,” said Allison Lobel, 17, a Corona del Mar High School senior who plays the lead role of Charity. “This one is complicated and harder to get into.”

Cast members are doing what they can to feel comfortable in their respective roles. Hailey Tweter, a 13-year-old Newport Coast resident, said she invented a back story for her character.

Jessica Sukert, a 14-year-old Newport Coast resident, said this show fits her personality well.

“I’m more ‘Big Spender’ than go to the beach,” said Sukert, who plays one of Charity’s best friends.

Hippenstiel said he has wanted the Musical Theatre Academy of Orange County to perform “Sweet Charity” for years.

“I’ve always liked the show,” he said. “It’s a good collection of songs, and the dance numbers are contagious.”

So much so that Hippenstiel, as he is known to do, dances along to some of the numbers -- such as “Big Spender” -- during rehearsals. He is particularly animated during one of one of Charity’s opening dances.

On stage, characters are continually weaving in and out of each other. Eleven-year-old Marc Cohen, who plays evangelist Big Daddy, said this has been a challenging show.

“When I first learned how to talk like the character, it was kind of hard. It’s a fun part now; I like doing it,” Cohen said.

Though this is Cohen’s first show with the academy, some performers, such as 16-year-old Kristina Clark, are veterans. She has performed with the group for more than 10 years.

“It’s nice to do a new type of show,” Clark said.

And there is more mature content on the way. The Musical Theatre Academy is scheduled to perform “Chicago” as one of its next shows.

IF YOU GO

* WHAT: Musical Theatre Academy of Orange County presents “Sweet Charity”

* WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday

* WHERE: First Presbyterian Church’s McFarland Hall, 600 N. Main St., Santa Ana

* COST: $10 to $15

* INFO: (949) 955-3737 or visit the box office

* ELIA POWERS is the enterprise and general assignment reporter. He may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or by e-mail at [email protected].

20060113it0ftencPHOTOS BY KENT TREPTOW / DAILY PILOT(LA)Above, Mark Cohen, 11, rehearses “Sweet Charity” at First Presbyterian Church’s McFarland Hall in Santa Ana on Wednesday night. Cohen and others in the play are Newport-Mesa residents. 20060113it0fsunc(LA)At top, lead actress Allison Lobel, 17, as Charity, digs her heel into Dirty Old Man, played by John Manchester, 17, during a rehearsal of the play “Sweet Charity.” 20060113it0fu0ncKENT TREPTOW / DAILY PILOT(LA)A dog investigates the bottle held by John Manchester, 17, during a rehearsal of the play “Sweet Charity.”