Oswego, NY – Area students in grade 3 through 7 will have the opportunity to audition for a part in a very special children’s musical to be presented during Harborfest 2008.  In an effort to expand Harborfest’s entertainment programming and highlight the festival’s Caribbean cultural component, Bobbie Palange and Rocky Farden will be staging and directing the children’s musical, “In Quest of Columbus,” a musical production that focuses on the search for the island on which Christopher Columbus first landed in 1492. 

“The musical follows the adventures of 8 young explorers as they set off to find the island,” explained Farden.  “The storyline involves a group of children who travel to the Caribbean in quest of the island where Columbus first landed. They are visited by the ghosts of sailors and cabin boys from the voyage that lead them to Samana Cay.  It also includes appearances by the natives who greeted Columbus and his crew in the New World.  While the musical does have a historic component it is quite light and entertaining as it features calypso style music, rap, and a beautiful Indian ballad as well.”

Farden explained that since Columbus is believed to have landed on a Caribbean island, not actually the America Continent, the musical is an excellent addition to Harborfest 2008 and a nice compliment to the festival’s Caribbean component.  “It is a young people’s production about the actual landing site of Columbus and his crew in 1492.  The Harborfest Children’s Committee wanted to expand the offerings at the Children’s Stage and were very supportive of our idea to produce “In Quest of Columbus,” she said.

Farden added that the production requires between 35 to 40 children and features plenty of speaking parts.  There is a need for singers, dancers, musicians and actors.  Auditions for interested children in grades 3 through 7 will be held April 22ndrd from 5:30 to 7:30pm at the McCrobie Building, 41 Lake Street in Oswego.  Children will be asked to sing “America” and “Happy Birthday” as well as do a little reading.  Previous theater experience is not required. and 23

“In Quest of Columbus” which features an array of colorful costumes and scenery, is approximately 40 minutes in length and will be performed several times throughout Harborfest including performances on the Children’s Stage in Breitbeck Park.  Times and locations of the performances are still being finalized. 

The play is part of the entertainment to be presented at the Children's stage during Harborfest 2008.  For more information regarding the auditions you may contact either Rocky Farden at 342-4194 or Bobbie Palange at 343-9595. 

Slated for July 24th - 27th, the 2008 edition of Harborfest will feature plenty of food, fun and entertainment as venues on both Oswego’s east and west sides will be used to deliver the excitement.  A wide variety of entertainment will be featured on stages throughout the city of Oswego including, the NRG Family Stage in Washington Square Park, the Budweiser Rock Stage on East Second Street, the Veteran’s Stage on West River Walk, and the Labatt Lakeview Stage in Breitbeck Park.   With the Route 104 Bridge closed for repair this summer, be sure to plan accordingly so that you don’t miss the events you want to see.  The Utica Street Bridge will be open as will the pedestrian walking bridge located just north of Utica Street.  Visit the Harborfest website at www.oswegoharborfest.com for the latest information regarding transportation options and performance schedules.