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Girl Scout Reaches Gold

High school junior Courtney Sonn directed her own show at The Chelsea for the Girl Scout Gold Award project.

By Ellen Oxild
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February 17, 2011

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Montville high school junior Courtney Sonn created and directed a Broadway musical review titled “Broadway Through the Ages” for her Girl Scout Gold Award project. Sonn said her dream is to find a career in the performing arts. “I’ve been acting since first grade and I like dancing,” she said. “It is something I would definitely like to continue in the future.” “Broadway Through the Ages” marks her first time as a director. “Directing is a lot of fun, but I’d rather be an actor,” she said.

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Montville high school junior Courtney Sonn created and directed a Broadway musical review titled “Broadway Through the Ages” for her Girl Scout Gold Award project. Sonn said her dream is to find a career in the performing arts. “I’ve been acting since first grade and I like dancing,” she said. “It is something I would definitely like to continue in the future.” “Broadway Through the Ages” marks her first time as a director. “Directing is a lot of fun, but I’d rather be an actor,” she said.

Credit Ellen Oxild

The cast, from left to right, Back row: Julianna Abramson, Elizabeth Kroll, Lisa Calcagno, Ashley Tanchak, Emma Wethered, Sophia Blake, Michael Gillen, Harrison Sonn, Courtney Sonn; Front row: Mikala Stein, Elisabeth Michaud, Emily Michalak, Erika Batic. The students, all seventh-graders, largely from Lazar Middle School, were scouted by Sonn's brother, Harrison, a student at Lazar. ""I knew a lot of seventh graders through him. I went to Lazar and advertised the show," she said.

Credit Ellen Oxild

Montville Girl Scout Troop #1868, front row from left: Troop Leader Caren Bianco, Courtney Sonn, Lindsey Musto, Julia Bianco, Paige Machiski. Back row: Courtney's mom, Lisa Sonn, and cast member, Michael Gillen. Bianco, the girl scout troop's leader, said Sonn is the first in her troop to complete her Gold Award, which is often compared to Boy Scouts' Eagle Scout Award. “We spent about a year planning this," she said. "Girl Scouts have to do 70 hours of leadership, 40 hours of career exploration, which, for Courtney, was working in musical theater. In addition, each interest patch takes 10 hours. It’s 100 hours of prep time before they can even start earning the prerequisites."

Credit Ellen Oxild

From left, Lisa Calcagno, Michael Gillen, Erika Batic, and Sophia Blake sing “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” from "Hairspray." Sonn controlled most aspects of the performance, including the writing, choreography and directing. “I had already decided on the songs and numbers we would be doing so I had all the kids sing some of those at the first rehearsal," she said. "After hearing their voices and seeing what they could each do, I gave them different parts in different songs."

Credit Ellen Oxild

Courtney Sonn with her parents, Douglas and Lisa. Lisa said that rehersals began as a daily occurrence in December. “They worked very hard," she said. "At the end, we were practicing every day at Lazar. Mrs. Eggers [school secretary] was wonderful. They used the choir room and cafeteria from 3:40 to 5:30 pm. I was the chaperone. Courtney did everything."

Credit Ellen Oxild

The audience at the Chelsea was impressed with the performance. "I thought it was beautiful," resident Stephanie Redman said. "And that young man – he was so good. He’s going to be in the theater." Olive Ponnwitz, another resident of the Chelsea, shared the same sentiment. "I thought they were not just very good, but excellent," she said. "They can continue. I especially liked the boy – he is fantastic Very talented."

Credit Ellen Oxild

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On Sunday, residents at The Chelsea at Montville were treated to a review of popular songs from Broadway as part of Montville high school junior and girl scout Courtney Sonn's Gold Award project. Check the pictures for the full story.

About this column: A Thousand Words is a weekly photo essay of what's happening in Montville. Related Topics: viewfinder