Just the word Broadway can be intimidating for those dreaming of stardom on the stage. Nathan Brenn, all of 10, cannot imagine being anywhere else.
"I really like it and seeing what it's like to be there every day," says Nathan, a proud and excited cast member in the latest Broadway run of "West Side Story."
Nathan plays the role of Kiddo, an aspiring member of the Jets street gang, which battle the rival Sharks in the famed musical. Nathan's run began recently after his older brother Kyle, 12, left after nearly two years in the show. Nathan served as a vacation fill-in before auditioning and winning the full-time part. All this and he gets to be a fifth-grader at Norwalk's Marvin Elementary School.
"I think it's really cool. It's very cool because it's the same show" that Kyle played in, Nathan said.
Before "West Side Story," Nathan cut his teeth with the Summer Theater of New Canaan, operated by the Performing Arts Conservatory of New Canaan. Nathan performed in "Music Man" during the 2008 season and "Camelot" in 2009. "Camelot was interesting because it was in an outdoor theater, so that was fun, doing that for a couple of weeks," he said. "One time there was a lightning storm and the power went out for a couple of seconds, so they had to stop the show for a while."
Nathan's mother, Alicia Brenn, said it's wonderful to see her sons taking part in the show and using their talents on theater's biggest stage.
"It's a great opportunity for Nathan. The show is closing in January, and it's one of those things where every amount of effort you put into it is worth it," she said.
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