The “rescue” of SecondStory Repertory (SSR), which was facing bankruptcy in late 2009, was a feel-good phenomenon which wouldn’t have happened without support from many loyal fans of the professional theatre company at Redmond Town Center.
Losing SSR’s educational programs would have been a shame, so it’s heartwarming to note that Peter Castro, one of the young performers from the December 2009 Teen Cabaret to “Save SecondStory” will be featured in the upcoming production of the romantic musical “She Loves Me.”
A sophomore at Redmond High School (RHS), Castro has performed in the teen musicals “Into the Woods, Jr. ” “Godspell” and “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” at SSR, where he also interned in the professional production of “Born Yesterday.” Castro also performed in “Pippin” at RHS last fall.
“My knowledge of Peter’s work ethic and his natural talent originally prompted me to ask specifically for him to intern for me for the first time — he didn’t even have to audition,” said SSR artistic and education director Susanna Wilson. “For ‘She Loves Me,’ he definitely did,” she noted.
In “She Loves Me,” Castro is playing a character named Arpad.
“Arpad is one of the secondary leads and has the first sung line in the play, so the role is a big responsibility. I read five young men at auditions for this role. It was soon apparent that Peter was the best choice. I dare you to not fall in love with him in this show,” said Wilson.
Castro described Arpad as “a delivery boy, not immature, but very kid-like. I’ve (Arpad’s) been training to be a clerk and all the older people look down on me. I want to be equal to everyone.”
But don’t feel sorry for Arpad — or Castro.
“This show is really funny,” he explained. And as the only teen performer in “She Loves Me,” he said, “I was little scared to go in there, to audition, but the other actors’ personalities are so much fun. They’re kind of like kids themselves. The feeling of family is great. You get to know the people really well.” Referring to his work at SSR, he said, “it’s not only made me a better singer, but I’m learning how to develop my character.”
Castro said he also admires that the adults in the cast “all have side jobs. I’m learning the reality of performing arts, as a career.”
He said he’d like to attend an arts school in the future and to audition for parts in shows at other venues such as Village Theatre in Issaquah during the summer.
For now, in addition to rehearsing for “She Loves Me,” Castro plays soccer and alto saxophone and will participate in the RHS Drama Fest.
“She Loves Me” runs Feb. 12-March 6 at SecondStory Repertory, 16587 NE 74th St. For ticket information, call (425) 881-6777 or visit www.SecondStoryRep.org.
