California's Premiere Children's Theatre Company

South Bay People- February, 2006

Press Release:

April 6, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

We all profit when kids feel important 

Rarely does the suburban theatre-loving public have an opportunity to enjoy a professional Broadway play that is flawless, close by, and done entirely by actors under the age of 18.But anyone following the Belasco Theatre Company’s progress will tell you this is the good stuff!

Run by fourth-grade teacher Shanti Belasco, this theatre company is one-of-a-kind in the LA area. Unlike typical non-profit theater groups, these guys deliver Broadway-caliber productions - we’re talking the full range of emotion, singing, and dancing. Oh yes – did we mention that the company limits the cast to the number actually needed for the show, rather than allowing in anyone who can pony up the registration fee?This makes a BIG difference to the actual performance. Gone are the groups of 200 orphans crammed onstage to calm parents demanding their child have a showbiz presence. The higher quality showed through immediately at the 2004 Theatre Company premiere of ANNIE. In the words of stage character Miss Hannigan; “It shines like the top of the Chrysler Building!” 

With a maximum troupe size of 35 youngsters, every performance shines. This past February’s The Wiz played to sell-out crowds, and small wonder. Young attendees could relate to the actors, while older audience members witnessed the kind of acting quality usually reserved for much pricier venues. 

The secret of this success is Shanti Belasco’s childhood. Since age 7 she has performed onstage in performances directed by father Edward Belasco. Her own credits include Oliver, Cats, and Grease.  

Ed Belasco started the concept of professional children’s theater in San Francisco in 1981 and has become the inspiration for quality children’s theater groups throughout the country. At age 73, Belasco is still going strong after 23 years in the business. His northern California troupe had significant successes in the past year, including Guys and Dolls, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, and Flower Drum Song. So it was a natural step for daughter Shanti to take her experience and build on it in her adopted home of Manhattan Beach. 

“These are not little kids’ shows” she says earnestly. “The orchestral score is pre-recorded and digitally mastered by the company’s producer. There are professional costumes. And the kids learn much more than just acting – they learn to have a presence, to get up and speak in front of people.” And with such a manageable group size, it’s easy to see how the kids get the kind of personalized attention needed to make each of them a star. They audition, and those with the most promise (and willingness to commit to the hours required to put a successful show together) are brought in to perform.

 In LA, everyone has a “story”, and most can be discounted as fantasy. But the letters from attendees tell the tale better than anyone in the Belasco organization ever could: “I loved your show”; I liked the Wizard because he is a little boy.”; I liked how everybody danced with so much emotion”; “I would recommend this to my friends for the humor and the great acting” – these are typical of the fan mail received by the actors.

A reasonably-priced Broadway theater production that helps raise kids’ esteem, provides a quality time for everyone in the room, and consistently delivers on the promises it makes? Why are you still reading? Call Shanti Belasco directly at 310-796-7952. She’ll tell you how to sign up for an audition (their website is www.belasco.org if you want to do it online). Or for those over 18, she can tell you about some great sponsorship opportunities. These are particularly important, since all proceeds from sponsorships, shows and classes are used to pay for the sets, scripts, scores and costumes for each production.

What a great way to keep kids involved while helping ourselves. Thank you, Shanti – Belasco Theatre Company has been needed in LA for a LONG time!

For additional information, contact:

ROB WEINBERG
rob@marketbuilding.com
858-673-9960

Bright Light: Shanti Belasco

The Beach Reporter- August 12, 2004

by Cindy Yoshiyama 

Shanti Belasco is passionate about music, acting, dancing and teaching children - so much so that she has taken on a family tradition working in nonprofit musical theater.

Belasco formed a South Bay arm of the children's musical theater organization, The Belasco Theatre Company, founded by her father, Edward Belasco,23years ago .

At the age of 7, Belasco began performing on stage in her father's shows with her brother and sister. Over the years, her father produced more than 30 shows in Northern California, including "Oliver," "Cats" and "Guys and Dolls."