May 7, 2003 – Every STARfest that has been produced at the Reichhold Center for the Arts on St. Thomas has set the standard by which the next one would be judged, and STARfest9, which has the first two of its four performances this weekend, will be no exception.
For 2003, the show includes not only singing, dancing, drama and high-tech choreography and staging but a new element with proven appeal in the Virgin Islands: modeling.
The STARfest9 Models and the Star Search Models will make their first appearance in the opening production number in which all of the performers sing and dance. Each group will have its own segments later in the show featuring "After 5 Wear" and in "Beach/Casual Wear."
Melisa Leerdam, Rachel Navarro, Sheena Terry and Keysha Testamark are the Star Search Models.
Janice Campbell, Kory Davis, Juan Hughes, Kafi Roberts, Cherie Wheatley are the STARfest9 Models.
Davis and Wheatley also are the master and mistress of ceremonies.
The first half of the show also will include the group All the Way (Bernard Douglas, Kyle Joshua Francis, Jahmal Parris, Carlos Stephens and Michael Stephens) singing "In the Still of the Night"; the VIP's (Jhade Pilgrim and Johani Taylor) dancing to "Celebration"; NBS ("Nothing But Skills" — Lenea Industrious and Khadijah Abiff) singing "Dem Girl" and "Pray With Me"; Michelle Wiltshire dancing to "Ballerina Girl"; Angel "A.J." Ventura III singing "All My Life" and "You Remind Me"; Special EFX (Brandon Varlack, Loredon Boynes III and Darryl Potter) dancing to "Cry Me a River"; and Kmisha Counts singing "I Will Always Love You" and "Can't Take My Eyes."
After intermission, the lineup comprises Kory Davis performing "Fire Dance"; Singing Legend (Richard Wilson) performing "One in a Million"; Wiltshire dancing to "Through the Eyes of Love"; Christina Harper presenting a dramatic vignette, "Sister," and singing "So Amazing"; the VIP's dancing to "Great Balls of Fire"; All the Way singing "If I Ever Fall in Love Again"; Naomi performing "Lovers" and "I Try"; Special EFX dancing to "Gossip Folks"; and Osayande McCleverty singing "You Got It Bad" and "Unchained Melody."
If you don't recognize all of those songs, it's not surprising. They span decades and generations, including movie and show tunes, rhythm 'n' blues, hip-hop, ballads, classic rock, pop standards and more. While the STARfest focus in recent years has been on younger talent, the artists' repertoires have reached beyond their years.
"The Reichhold Center for the Arts promises that if you loved STARfest7 and 8, STARfest9 will surpass your wildest expectations," a release states. It also notes that this year's production "has attracted a wider field of contestants" than previous STARfests, drawing talent from St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix.
"The whole purpose of STARfest is to encourage and showcase the talent that abounds in our islands," Reichhold Center director David Edgecombe says.
Edgecombe, who directed the first six shows, says that over the years "STARfest has really become part of the performing arts fabric of our islands. This year we've decided to up the ante. We noted a need in the community to offer a more concrete building block to a successful career in the performing arts …
"With that in mind, we've modeled this year's STARfest on the rigorous qualifications of 'Star Search,' CBS television's wildly popular juried competition/prime-time show that seeks to discover some of the world's best talent. And you do know — I think we've got a shot at it."
Each performer that has "made the cut" to appear in Starfest9 will receive a professionally produced portfolio, a video biography "and a chance to earn a trip to New York to appear on 'Star Search,'" the release states.
This STARfest is the first directed by Josephine Thomas-Lewis, who has served as musical director in recent years and still has that assignment as well. In 2001 and 2002 the show was directed by Malayisha Rabsatt, who returns this year to her previous position of choreographer.
The production team also includes Richard Biscombe (sound), Juan A. Hughes (makeup), Denise Humphrey (set design/lighting), Corinne Lindquist (stage manager), Theresa Little and John Lathuillerie (modeling coordinators), Princess Penn (assistant choreographer), Shaneel Richards (assistant musical director), Doug Salisbury (technical director), Richard Simmonds, Wendell Thomas (sound) and Nayda Young (costumes).
According to Lindquist, rehearsals began on April 6 and the ensemble is putting in 18 hours this week alone fine tuning the show with sessions every night leading up to Saturday's opening.
The four STARfest9 performances are Saturday and Sunday, and then May 24 and 25, all with a curtain time of 8 p.m. The show has traditionally been presented on Mother's Day weekend. The second set of dates this year falls two weeks later because the intervening weekend is University of the Virgin Islands commencement time.
Tickets are $25 for the covered, cushioned section and $18 and $10 for open-air seating. They may be purchased online at the Reichhold Center box office Web site. Tickets also can be purchased in person at the Reichhold box office or by charge card calling the box office at 693-1559. That's the number to call for additional information, too.
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