FINAL CURTAIN
By Peter Harrison
Backstage at his final performance for South Gate Stage, director Howard Dando appears to be in several places simultaneously, discussing a sound cue with the stage manager, helping an actor with a line, and checking with the conductor about tempo.
His career includes producing and directing several Broadway productions, including the Beatles
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, the Who’s
Tommy, and directing
Elvis at the Palace Theatre on Broadway. He was Founder
and Director of the major ballet company,
Stars of the American Ballet that the New York Times reviewed as "Leading the Dance Renaissance" as well as raves from every major newspaper in the nation, But tonight finds Dando directing a production of his original musical
FEVER, not on Broadway, but at the West Coast Broadway equivalent Ricardo Montalban Theatre in Hollywood. Why would a veteran of the New York stage, direct theatre at a high school? “To make a difference! That's why we're on this earth?” said Dando.
'Amazing' is the word heard after every performance. The students won trophies at the annual DTASC Competitions; and performed at several professional theatres, “I wanted students to rub shoulders with professionals so we developed partnerships with professional Theatre companies including Reprise, Geffen Playhouse, Ricardo Montalban Theatre, The Actors Gang, the Skirball Center, Los Angeles Theatre Center, Festival of New American Musicals, The London Globe, Pasadena Playhouse, A Noise Within, and the Los Angeles Music Center.”
Dando was nominated for a Bravo Award by the Los Angeles Music Center for Outstanding Arts Teacher and received certificates from City Council. But he insists, “The students make it happen and deserve the awards. Working with these kids is my reward. They inspire me with their passion. At every rehearsal we laugh and that's a joy can’t be duplicated in commercial theater.”
It was fun for the audiences as well. A Middle School group was reluctant to attend FEVER because they heard is was based on a Shakespeare play. After the performance a busload of students asked their teacher if they could see it again the next night. After a show a family sought out the director to tell him their daughter wanted to see the show again, but it meant cancelling her birthday party, the young girl said, “FEVER was more fun than any birthday party.”
The Los Angeles Theatre Arts Division sent a letter, "FEVER was at level of artistic excellence above and beyond the norm in our district. ” Dando shared the letter with his students, “It means you made a difference.”
