Few high school theaters can rival the electrical thrill of a real Broadway star walking through your school doors. But here at KO, that thrill became a dream come true. Over the course of four visits, students didn’t just watch from the wings or from the audience; they worked alongside, learned from, and transformed their dancing, acting, and singing with some of the most accomplished performers in the world, all thanks to the connections of Director of Theater Kyle Reynolds. The experience didn’t merely elevate the students’ individual craft; it forever changed their ability to portray their characters and roles in the show.
The first guest was Alysha Umphress, a known powerhouse for her vibrant portrayal of Hildy in the 2014 revival of “On the Town,” a role that truly showcased her dynamic jazz and blues vocals. She has an extensive list of Broadway credentials, including originating roles and performing in acclaimed productions such as Paula in “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever,” Shirley in “Priscilla Queen of the Desert,” and a “Legendary” soloist in “Bring it On: The Musical.” This made her arrival a front-page moment for KO’s theater community. Her presence was magnetic, her energy palpable as she stepped into the rehearsal room.
Her background is rooted in jazz and musical theater, and she specializes in her natural ability to blend different genres into a seamless, engaging performance style. Her approach emphasizes authenticity and urges students to own their moments and find truth in their own performances. Her advice was mainly focused on her extensive lineup of experience and came with encouraging students to be bold, to trust their own instincts, and to embrace vulnerability as well as confidence on stage.
For junior Molly Palmer, who plays Hildy in KO’s production of “On The Town,” Ms. Umphress’ visit was especially impactful and left her in instant shock, as it was very unexpected. “There’s a video of me, my face turning bright red, and I screamed,” Molly said. “I had stalked her Instagram the night before and couldn’t believe it. My heart started racing. It was so surreal.”
When helping with character work and preparation for the show, Ms. Umpress was just the person for Molly. “She taught me this one move where she sat with her hands on her knees,” Molly said. “Every time I feel like I’m losing Hildy, I go to it, because I watched her do it right in front of my face, and it so perfectly embodied the character.”
Aside from all the benefits and remarkable opportunities of working with a Broadway star, there are a lot of nerves and pressure to perform well and impress them. “It’s nerve-wracking,” Molly said, “because it’s someone who knows your character inside and out, so when you do something they wouldn’t do, you’re just worried about messing up. But at the same time, it’s so inspiring and incredible.”
Up next, the room was electrified by the arrival of star Clyde Alves, who came on Wednesday, Jan. 21. Mr. Alves is a dynamic performer whose career reflects versatility and relentless devotion. Mr. Alves starred as Ozzy in the Broadway revival of “On the Town.” Over the course of his career, he has appeared in nine different Broadway shows. You may know him from his Broadway performances in “The Music Man” as Tommy Djilas, or Tommy Caggiano in “New York, New York.” His energetic dance style and commanding stage presence have also led him to perform as Simon in “The Radio City Christmas Spectacular.”
For junior Matt Habeeb, who plays Ozzy in KO production of “On The Town,” working with Mr. Alves was groundbreaking, especially for finding out who his character is. “I was struggling to find Ozzy as a character,” Matt said. “Before working with Clyde, I still didn’t know who Ozzy was. Clyde showed me.”
Aside from just working with Matt, Mr. Alves also inspired the rest of the cast with words that will leave them with things to ponder for a long time. “He was so well-spoken,” Matt said. “He was very good at directing not just me but all of the leads and the ensemble.” He especially brought insight into the way Broadway works and how to stand out and book a job. “If you’re going to audition, go to all of the auditions you can,” Mr. Alves said, remarking how important it is to always take risks and how that was one of the main reasons he landed the role of Ozzie. “If you aren’t given an opportunity,” Mr. Alves said, “make an opportunity.”
Then, into the spotlight stepped Tony Yazbeck, who came to KO on Monday, Feb. 2. Mr. Yazbeck is a renowned dancer and actor. Over the course of his career, he has appeared in 10 total Broadway productions, building a stellar reputation as both a dynamic leading actor and a standout, consistent featured performer. He is best known for playing Gabey in the 2014 revival of “On the Town,” which earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical and showcased his combination of athleticism, romantic leading presence, and ability to perform emotional depth within his work. Earlier in his career, starting off, he gained a crowd for his featured role as Tulsa in the 2008 revival of “Gypsy,” particularly because of his show-stopping dance number. He has taken on major roles such as J.M. Barrie in “Finding Neverland” and Billy Flynn in “Chicago.” Mr. Yazbeck is widely respected in the theater world and is known as today’s premier song and dance performer.
For senior Leo Kollen who plays Gabey in the KO production, the day is something he will never forget. “We were running the opening number,” Leo said. “And Tony Yazbeck walked in, and I was so starstruck.” Mr. Yazbeck was involved in helping with the acting portion of it all. “He was really focused on how to get into character,” Leo said. Leo remembers an exercise that really helped transform one of his scenes. “One of my favorite exercises that he did with me was he sat Jane and I across from each other in chairs,” Leo said, “and he just had us say our lines to each other as if we were having a conversation, because he noticed that we were just waiting for each other to speak, and it didn’t feel like a natural conversation.”
The last guest to arrive was Chip Abbott, who came on Saturday, Feb. 7. Mr. Abbott was the associate choreographer and dance captain for the “On the Town” revival. He is best known for his dancing as he was a dance captain for two Broadway shows, including “On the Town” and “Wicked.” Additionally, he was part of the original Broadway cast for “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” which helped lead him into his Broadway career. Furthermore, he has worked extensively behind the scenes as a choreographer and movement director, making him especially respected within the Broadway community for both his onstage talent and his creative leadership.
Mr. Abbott was especially a favorite of Mr. Reynolds, as he helped tremendously to clean the opening dance break, “New York, New York.” Mr. Abbott taught everyone in the number the importance of the down accent and even performed the number for the cast. Even after the decade it’s been since the show closed, you could still feel the energy of Chip in the way he flowed through his movements.
The impacts of the guests extended beyond individual lessons. Mr. Reynolds reflected on the significance of these visits. “What makes our theater program special,” Mr. Reynolds said, “is this connection to Broadway. We get to bring in professionals who have been at the highest level, and they bring not just their talent but their passion and their honesty. Watching students work with these performers, seeing their faces light up when someone they’ve admired walks in, is priceless.”
Having the opportunity to bring in the many talents from Broadway isn’t just centered around inspiration; it’s also about students discovering who they can be as artists and as people. Bringing in Broadway stars isn’t only a treat; it can also be a catalyst for one’s own individual growth. It reminds everyone that the impossible is just a challenge waiting to be overcome.
Thanks to the presence of these performers, KO’s performing arts students now carry a renewed sense of purpose for their own craft. It also provides a glimpse into the potential possibilities that the future holds. After seeing people who have made it in the industry, it’s known that with the proper dedication, resilience, and authenticity, it’s possible to step and grow into the spotlight in “On the Town” just as the performers had demonstrated. This experience and opportunity are something KO is so lucky to have. “It’s an experience that no other student gets at the high school level with a Broadway star in the whole world,” Mr. Reynolds said.
