Page 10, Whitby Free Press, Wednesday, March 3. 1993 FolDovingDCosetel Young singer-actress on U.S. TV shows By Lucie Rochette Megan Kitchen was just three ears old when she decided on er career. Her mother took her to a play at the Whitby Courthouse Theatre, and at the show, little Megan turned to her mother and said "That's what I'm going to do." Now 10 years old, Megan has been very busy. She has been a guest star on a children's special called 'Alligator Pie.' She has also guest-starred on the U.S television show 'Top Cops' and will be in an upcoming American TV program called 'Matrix.' Megan has appeared in count- less television commercials for K-Mart, IGA and Post cereals, and has performed in a few Whitby Courthouse Theatre pro- ductions. But probably her biggest role so far has been playing young Cosette in the Canadian produc- tion of 'Les Miserables.' She stole the show night after night with her sweet rendition of 'Castle on a Cloud.' Megan has surely thanked her friends at the Whitby Court- house Theatre. After all, they are the ones who encouraged her to audition for the part of young Cosette. They felt that she would be perfect for the art and the casting crew for Cs iserables agreed with them. Megan loved working with the actors in the production -- "I learned a lot," she says. Aside from the Toronto produc- tion, Megan was part of the touring production that went to Regina, Sask. So far, Megan has only worked in Canada, but she says she would like to work elsewhere. Megan attends Bellwood public school where she is a grade 5 student. When she was on tour with the companies, attending school was impossible, so Megan studied with a tutor. While on tour with 'Les Mis- erables,' Megan's school work was done around 10 a.m. During the filming of Matrix, however, Megan studied when she wasn't needed on the set, or after the shooting was completed for the day. Often, she ended up studying until midnight. When she is in town, Megan is expected to attend school. During the run of one show or the filming of another, Megan would often be working 35- to 60-hour weeks. But, according to Megan's mother, that's ail part of the business. She says that show business is not all glamour, like some people think. It's hard work. Megan says that the only real aspect of her career that she dislikes is having to use the portable washrooms on a set. She jokes that "they are cold and hazardous to your life" (if they should happen to tip). She thinks that the best aspect of show business is when the audience is silent, watching and listening. She also loves hearing the applause. Megan has studieù acting and she has had some v-oice training. She loves to watch Carol Bur- nett perform. Although for this busy young lady television is almost a luxury, when time permits she enjoys watching'Full House.' Megan collects Trolls and she enjoys sports in the summertime. She has an older sister, Stacey, who is involved in modelling. On Feb. 14, Megan performed at a fundraiser for the Oshawa and District Council for the Arts. The show was called 'A Taste of the Arts.' Megan sang a couple of songs from Les Miserables as well as a song from the musical 'Annie? Recently, Megan has done a few more commercials, and she has auditioned for a part in a television series. This multi-talented young lady plans to continue acting in the future, but she does have other goals. "I want to try writing a script," she says. Considered an up-and-coming star, we will surely see and hear more about Megan in the near future. 1 -,ý7 WHITBY singer/actress Megan Kitchen performed at a recent, fundraiser for the Oshawa and District Council for the Arts, held at Durham College -- the night was called 'A Taste of the Arts.' Photo by Mark Reesor, Whitby Free Press ......G....... A.......d.......g....... Durham Shoestring Performers will present 'Gusto,' a new play with music for children, as the third show of the 19th season. Written and directed by Ken Bond of Whitby, with a score and music direction by Carol McGrath, 'Gusto' will be performed April 2 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. and April 3, 4 and 10 at 2 p.m. at the Arts Resource Centre behind Oshawa City Hall. Gus Toe, played by Tyler Uprichard, is an energetic 10-year-old, so full of enthusiasm and laughter that his parents (played by Lianne Rennick and Steve Farrell) chose their son's name to describe the gusto he Friday, March 5th LES SALLAI Saturday, March 6th D-FLAT & THE BENZ Friday, March 12th AFTER DARK Saturday, March 13th FX 0107 SUNDAYJAM NIGHTS ARE BACK! brings to life. Gus develops his exceptional love of life with the help of a magical group of puppets, played by Travis Bickle, Keith Fleming, Rae Gibson, Kevin Harper and Stephanie Jeronimo. Created by an extraordinary puppet-maker (played by Bryan Stanish), the puppets each have intriguing personalities to assist Gus as he shares his adventures with them. All tickets for 'Gusto' are $6, available as of :March 4 at Walters Music Centres, Oshawa Centre and Information Oshawa, City Hall Complex. For any further ticket information, contact Joan Taylor at 725-1893. •PUB• WED. WING NIGHT with Liz Alderton THURS. FRI. SAT. DURH AM'S DE ST KARAOKE • 2nd Floor Dining• THURS. FRI. SAT. DINE & DANCE to Steve Couclanrd TYLER UPRICHARD Lianne Rennick and parents, Flo and Joe, left) plays Gus and string Performers' upcorning production of teve Farrell are his 'Gusto.' in the Durham Shoe- Photo by Peter Tomblin, Whitby Free Press Matt Maxwell to perform in Whitby Matt Maxwell & His Band will perform at Heydenshore Pavilion on Wednesday, March 17. The show a March Break spe- cial, is the last in the Children's Concert Series organized by the Whitby Public Library and Town recreation department. The Matt Maxwell show is described as "an hour filled with rock and roll and plenty of funr! and the entertainer invites people on stage to participate. Maxwell has been performing in theatres and auditoriums across Canada. Tickets are available at all branches of the library. Tickets are $6 each or $20 for a family of four. '1