More than 100 Kids in 64 Acts Perform on the P.S. 89 Stage
PHOTOS AND TEXT BY CARL GLASSMAN
From Chinese yoyo-ing to comedy to soccer tricks—with plenty of singing, dancing and more in between—108 children from pre-K to 5th grade took the stage of P.S. 89 on Saturday, March 21, for the school’s 11th annual talent show, emceed by Tim Reed.
In less than three weeks, the kids went from “auditions” (actually, a chance to introduce the organizers to what they could expect from each young performer) to dress rehearsal and, finally, to four hours of performances in two shows.
Michael Dattoma, who organized the talent extravaganza with Warren Nelson, Gladys Henriquez and Paul Vercesi, said the kids showed improvement each step of the way. “They’re comfortable with the people in the audience and they’re over their initial jitters. It’s one of the great things to see.”
The notes he received from parents after the performance, he said, were a testament to the real success of the show.
“They say how elated their children were and how it was such a phenomenal outlet for them to step out of their comfort zone and do something that they didn’t think they could do—and then they get the reaction from the crowd.”
“For the kid,” he added, “it could be a really defining moment.”