Paris Younger and Mark Hills joke that theyB次元官网网址檙e considered B次元官网网址渓ifersB次元官网网址� in the ranks of the PACE Musical Theatre Company.

Younger got into this extra-curricular SD62 company in Grade 3, while Hill began performing in Kindergarten.

Now both in Grade 12 at Belmont secondary, the two good friends will perform a multitude of roles in what could be their final show with the company, Cinemusic! The all-ages production celebrates favourite songs from films  ranging from The Muppet Movie to DisneyB次元官网网址檚 Teen Beach Movie and many more.

Asked what theyB次元官网网址檙e most looking forward to about their last show, theyB次元官网网址檝e both got their favourites. B次元官网网址淚 like a lot of the Teen Beach stuff,B次元官网网址�  Hills says. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 hard work, itB次元官网网址檚 fast moving with a lot of fast dancing.B次元官网网址�

Younger agrees that the choreography designed for this production takes things to the next level for many of the performers, the majority of which range in age from four to 18.

B次元官网网址淚 think my favourite set is the Moulin Rouge piece,B次元官网网址� she says of a number in which she gets dolled up in feathers and lots of sparkles. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a real different feel from some of the (more children-oriented) characters weB次元官网网址檙e used to.B次元官网网址�

Stretching the talents of the more than 300 performers is something longtime PACE director Sandra Webster-Worthy has done well for years, she adds.

B次元官网网址淪andy does a really good job of making sure everybody feels comfortable on stage.B次元官网网址�

PACE, or Program for Creative and Creative Enrichment, also sees the odd adults join the cast of each production, as much to ensure things go smoothly and helping keep young actors on track. Gary Wilkinson, who plays a dinosaur in a Jurassic Park number in Cinemusic!, is one such performer. HeB次元官网网址檚 had children go through PACE and now has grandkids enrolled, which is part of what keepds him involved, he says.

Webster-WorthyB次元官网网址檚 son, Calum Worthy, perhaps PACEB次元官网网址檚 most celebrated almunus, is hosting the first week of shows at the Isabelle Reader Theatre. Like many former members, he says he loves coming back home and checking in with young people heB次元官网网址檚 seen grow up on stage.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 very fun to see some of the alumni come back to support the cast,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淪eeing some people that I knew 10 years ago who are now graduating, itB次元官网网址檚 very inspiring to see them perform.B次元官网网址�

Worthy says most of the PACE grads he knows benefitted greatly from the program.

B次元官网网址淲hether they decided to continue performing or not, it really shaped who they were. They had to be on stage every day and at rehearsals every Sunday. They were lucky to have that opportunity to build those habits.B次元官网网址�

Webster Worthy says audiences will be surprised, as always, at the talent level of the young performers.

B次元官网网址淚 think theyB次元官网网址檙e going to be surprised, and amazed at the energy and the pacing and the quality B次元官网网址� the kids are killing these numbers,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淚 think we have a really great balance.B次元官网网址�

This weekB次元官网网址檚 shows see 7 p.m. performances scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. matinees set for Saturday and Sunday. Next weekB次元官网网址檚 shows run Wednesday through Saturday at 7 p.m., with a matinee performance on Saturday April 23. Tickets are available at Westshore Learning Centre, 101-814 Goldstream Ave., or at the door. Or call 250-391-9002 to reserve.

editor@goldstreamgazette.com