The DiLoreto Bandwagon
Archive from Before December 2005
November 5, 2005 - This Saturday was a banner day for the DiLoreto household. In the afternoon, Carolyn performed her song, "Blow Gabriel, Blow" in the Greater Bay Area Talent Competion. This modest, homespun affair is held a few times a year at Crossroads Church in San Jose, and Carolyn has won before (this May). However, on this occasion, she was awarded Double Grand Champion for her perfect scores from all three judges, who noted Carolyn's pitch and stage presence. And the routine was nicely choreographed by her teacher, Linda Middlebusher, at left.
This same evening was the opening of Oliver!, with Paul in the fun role of the Artful Dodger. Paul was featured prominently in the first act in the numbers "Consider Yourself," "I'd Do Anything" and "Be Back Soon." Paul has enjoyed working with several performers he knows from previous shows. The West Valley Light Opera production runs through Dec. 3.
September 18, 2005 - We caught one of Carolyn's performances in The Wizard of Oz with AMTSJ at the Center for the Performing Arts in downtown San Jose. Carolyn performed for over 2,000 patrons as one of the munchkins, singing the "Lollipop Guild" number as part of the trio of "tough kids" welcoming Dorothy to Munchkinland.Carolyn thoroughly enjoyed the role that included 18 performances in the two-week run that ends Sept. 25. Also attending today were her grandma, brother Paul, Aunt Ann and Uncle Ed. After the show Carolyn held a basket in the lobby, collecting donations for Hurricane Katrina victims.
July 30, 2005 - Paul played Wang San, a sarcastic, Americanized Chinese teenager and Carolyn was in the Children's Ensemble in West Valley Light Opera's Flower Drum Song that opened June 25. Tonight's closing performance was attended by family and friends. Paul enjoyed his comedic role and brief singing moments. Carolyn had a great time with the dancing numbers, choreographed by Nancy Kwong. Stage veteran Irene Trapp, shown here, impressively played "Aunt Lliang." And the part of "Mei Li" was beautifully played by Jennifer Cuevas who choreographed Sunnyvale's Seussical.
June 18, 2005 - Paul and Carolyn performed their singing recital today and tonight with Linda Middlebusher. In the afternoon junior recital, Carolyn closed the performances with "Second-Hand Rose," accompanied by Linda on the piano. Carolyn was also invited to open the evening's senior recital with her rendition of "Gertrude McFuzz," accompanying herself on ukelele. This is the same cute act she performed for her school's talent show, having taught herself the song and to play the ukelele. Paul performed in the senior recital with "Johnny One Note," giving it his smoothest and most energetic performance.
June 8, 2005 - We picked up a new kitten yesterday, which Carolyn named Lexie. Our previous cat, Mica passed away after being with us for 13 years, so Carolyn bugged us for weeks to make an adoption appointment. Lexie's a docile sweatheart that purrs alot. But one wasn't enough between Paul and Carolyn, so with Paul's prodding we went back today and picked up her brother, which Paul named Tommy Tutone. He's the perky and vocal one. They seemed to really enjoy being reunited, following each other around the house and sleeping curled up against one another.
May 31, 2005 - Carolyn played her final game with this year's 8-&-under softball team. The Gold Rush had a mixed season but managed to make the playoffs. Despite reaching the finals, their game ended in an extra-inning loss. However, the season was filled with memories of playing with many friends from school. In addition to playing the field, Carolyn enjoyed many chances to pitch and play catcher.
May 28, 2005 - Paul and Carolyn each performed at the State Talent Competition held at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. Paul sang "Johnny One Note" giving an animated and robust rendition that received wide acclaim but placed him a surprise second. Carolyn scored the Grand Champion trophy among three contenders with "Second-Hand Rose." She enjoyed delivering with attitude, in a costume with price tags hanging from it.
May 27, 2005 - Carolyn's piano recital was held once again at De Anza College Music Dept., where her teacher, Mrs. Poklewski holds college piano classes. Her small group of younger private students had the chance to perform on stage, playing a Steinway D Concert Grand. One of the first players, Carolyn performed Kulau Sonatina and Bergmuller Tarantella from memory.
February 19, 2005 - Tonight was closing night for Carolyn and opening night for Paul. Carolyn finished her four-week run with South Pacific, playing Ngana, the half-Asian daughter of the lead character Emile. She sang the song "Dites-Moi" with young Addison Mock who played her brother. Carolyn has now grown familiar with many of the cast and staff, who have been with her in previous SDG productions. Shown here, Don Matsuda played Henri, the house-helper, previously the King in last year's The King and I. Don also turned out to be Carolyn's "secret star," who gave her gifts throughout the run. Directed by C. Michael Traw, South Pacific turned out to be an emotional and entertaining production that saw the cast become tightly bonded and sad to see the it end.
This same night, Paul opened as Jojo in Sunnyvale Community Player's production of Seussical, the Musical. Paul enjoys his role as a young boy, prone to "thinking" fantastical thoughts and inventing outrageous imaginary creatures, driving his parents and teachers crazy. He sings "It's Possible," "Alone In The Universe" and "Solla Sollew" the latter two with lead character Horton the Elephant, played by Will Spindler, whose sister Jennifer is Cat in the Hat. The colorful and animated production has been a hit with kids of all ages. Carolyn hopes to play Gertrude with her one-feather tail, one day. Both Carolyn and Paul have enjoyed the music on CD for months prior to the show. It's a challenging score, however, as Dad can attest playing multi-keyboards for both casts in the pit orchestra.
October 10, 2004 - Saratoga Drama Group's production of Annie Get Your Gun opened Sept.18 with Paul in the ensemble and as understudy for Little Jake, Annie's kid brother. However, for three shows this weekend Paul was excited to perform in the role of Jake, singing and dancing in numbers such as "Doin' What Comes Naturally" and others. Annie was played brilliantly by Karen DeHart, shown here with Paul. The show runs through Oct. 16.
August 15, 2004 - Carolyn amazed us all this weekend with the strength of her performance as the lead in The Velveteen Rabbit. Thursday through Sunday, she sang, acted and danced like we never expected, for four performances at the Montgomery Theater, in a cast of nearly 60 6-9-yr.-olds in delightful costumes. She was "C-U-T-E!" as she jumped from the boy's bed exclaiming, "I'm for hugging!" In a change of costumes she becomes "real" and escapes to the forest to dance and live with the real rabbits. Carolyn loved the role and practiced hard for weeks singing and dancing at home with a CD. An article appeared in The Campbell Reporter last Wednesday, featuring Carolyn in her role.
July 24, 2004 - Paul finished his last performance tonight in TheWiz with CMT's 10- to 14-year-olds. Paul was cast in a featured role as one of the M.I.C.E. Squad, which busts the Lion for getting too frisky in the Poppy Room. The show ran for two weeks at San Jose's Montgomery Theater. With this show under his belt, Paul has already begun rehearsing with Saratoga Drama Group in Annie Get Your Gun, as the understudy for Jake and as a member of the ensemble.
June 6, 2004 - Today was a big day. At noon Carolyn went to de Anza College to perform in her first piano recital with Mrs. Poklewski. She seemed a little nervous playing in an auditorium on a Steinway concert grand. We had to leave early because she was in a matinee performance of Annie. After the show, we hosted a party for her cast, during which we heard the news she got the title role in the summer CMT production of The Velveteen Rabbit. It's a great story, and Carolyn is really excited about the role. Rehearsals start next Tuesday.
May 15, 2004 - Annie opened tonight for a 5-week run at the Saratoga Civic Auditorium. Carolyn is thrilled to be on stage for the second time, after her performance as Princess Ying Yaolack in The King and I. Here she plays Kate, the second smallest of 7 orphans among an adult cast of Saratoga Drama Group. There is lots of singing and dancing, which she really enjoys. She also enjoys greeting the audience in the lobby after the show.
May 15, 2004 - At the 27th Annual Santa Clara County Reading Council Young Authors' Faire this morning Carolyn presented her story, "A Little Fish Named Lilly." It is about a fish that was not invited to a party because she was too small. Carolyn wrote and illustrated it last year by making a booklet out of stapled, folded paper, as she sometimes does, just on a whim. I discovered it cast aside months later and showed it to her second grade teacher. Carolyn was among 12 students from St. Lucy School, among scores of local schools, whose students were chosen to present their illustrated peoms, stories, reports and recipes.
May 9, 2004 - Tonight was Paul's closing night as the King in CMT's production of Cinderella. Paul had a great time with the comedic and singing role, playing to six sold-out performances at Montgomery Theater since last Thursday. The talented cast was led by Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, shown here, who starred in as Cinderella. Paul especially enjoyed playing to his sixth-grade class, which came to see one one of his performances.
March 18, 2004 - It was posted today on the CMT website that Paul has won the role of King in Children's Musical Theater's production of Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. Paul is excited about this role, for which he prepared rigorously. There are 170 kids between the ages of 8 to 13 in the show's two casts. Paul is in the Pumpkin cast and performs on May 6-9 at the Mongomery Theater in downtown San Jose. Paul's 6th grade class and St. Lucy's 7th grade class are going as a group to see him perform.
March 13, 2004 - Today was Opening Day for Carolyn's softball season. All of the girls on all of the teams in all of the age groups gathered on the edge of Diamond #1 at Bagby for the ceremonies. This is her second year with West Valley Slammers. Her team is called the Tigers because of their orange uniforms. Of course, Carolyn is the smallest player on her 8-and-under league. This year they bat from pitches thrown from the other team. Despite her size, she shows a great batting stance and is very quick down to first base.
February 11, 2004 - Carolyn, today, was given the part of Kate in the upcoming Saratoga Drama Group production of Annie. Kate is the second smallest among seven orphan girls in the show, ranging in ages from 5 to about 13. The show opens at the Saratoga Civic Theater on May 15 and runs through June 12. This is Carolyn's second show, after playing in The King and I last fall, which she thoroughly enjoyed.
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