11-29-2024 9:52am

A New Theater Troupe Emerges as Alamogordo Rebel Music Theatre Premiering at Otero Arts in January

Chris Edwards Editor

A new theater production is scheduled to be performed at Otero Arts in January billed as
A Night of Broadway Review produced by the Rebel Music Theater group. The performances are scheduled for January 10th and 11th at 7 pm and January 12th at 2 pm at 1118 Indiana Avenue and 12th Street Alamogordo.

The Rebel Music Theatre group is a new artistic endeavor. It was formed as a part of Alamogordo's budding cultural arts and creative community. Thus, we reached out to find out who is behind this exciting new musical group, and what are the goals of this new organization.

The organization was founded by three local creatives. Each have been involved in local theater productions via the Alamogordo Music Theater, OSO and other organizations. It is being created out of their "love of theater" and to ensure there are more frequent opportunities to hone in their skills in theater arts with a goal to offer a more continuous and diverse live performances in Alamogordo.

Founders of the Rebel Music Theatre include Rosemary Daffern, Jordynn Marelich and Tabitha Plante. Each are well respected in the regional theatre community.

Rosemary Daffern recently directed the awe inspiring production of Rent for the Alamogordo Music Theater Group, which garnered a huge expanded and diverse audience and received raving reviews. Her portfolio of productions, in which she has directed or participated in is vast and spans a large array of diverse theater experiences.

Also staring in that same production and is a founder is Jordynn Marelich who performed in Rent as Maureen.

Jordyn Marelich, who played Maureen, was reviewed in Rent as "fearless, electrifying, and the complete package of a chaotic, courageous, life-affirming lesbian that was RENT‘s plum role. Her late entrance in the first act lifted expectations as to what’s next? Her complete surrender to Maureen’s performance art was a piece of comic mastery and her engagement, of the local audience to repeatedly “moo” with her, was magical.

The other founder is Tabitha Plante who is well known for a variety of productions.

Tabitha Plante been seen as Truly Scrumptious in AMTs “CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG”, Inga in “YOUNNG FRANKENSTIEN”, and Marty in “GREASE”. She is originally from Houston, TX, where she directed over 30 stage productions, specializing in children's theater, she is a Lightning Technician at Spencer Theater in Alto, NM, so when not on stage, she works tech backstage for concerts and touring productions. Tabitha Plante also played the role of Ariel in AMTs "The Little Mermaid” and is now also a founder of Rebel Music Theatre.

We asked Rosemary Daffern what inspired the creation of the organization and she explained to us the "process started as a small group of us trying to fill a show hole because we didn’t have a summer show after Rent but then we realized that we should continue after this revue show producing other revue shows and building up variety by including plays and obscure musicals."

Jordynn Marelich says in a social media postthat a goal of the troupe of Rebel Music Theater is to "empower singers to take the stage on their own terms, choosing the pieces that resonate with them and breaking free from traditional boundaries. Here, artists will have the freedom to tell their stories, in their voices, with no limits. Join us as we redefine what independent music theater can be!"

Ms Daffern also expressed that, "we want to be able to bring performances to smaller audiences and provide a space for all kinds of performers who want to try different styles and acting that they have never been able to do before in other settings...It also helps those us who are still with AMT, OSO or other theatre companies prepare for upcoming auditions and keep our acting skills up to speed...The ultimate goal is to keep live theatre happening always in Alamogordo."

We asked about the meaning behind the Rebel Music Theater group and enjoyed the response... "Well Rebel came about because wanted to feel like we are a group that “rebels” against traditional boundaries when it comes to theatre here and what is available right now …if we want to put on a show that deals with subjects this community may not be completely comfortable with we can... But we are still very much wanting to support our theatre peoples such as AMT and OSO productions in Ruidoso...all in all we want to attract those hidden jewels that may not have been able to shine before on stage, but we want people to be able to shine no matter who they are and with the vocal coaching that Jorydnn provides we can bring them up to the best vocal ability they can offer."

Ms Daffern concluded our conversation explaining that "Our A Night of Broadway Revue show is a great way to make our debut at Otero Arts because and it delivers the message on why musicals and theatre are important to, us and how Broadway has paved the way for performers to keep evolving and trying new ways to entertain the masses."

We couldn't agree more! In these times of political uncertainty, and social unease, the theater and most especially Broadway based productions have a way of inspiring, engaging and unifying diverse audiences, even if just for a moment, and reminding us of our unique culture and the humanity within each of us.

At AlamogordoTownNews.org and Streaming KRAZY KALHRadio.org, we support the creative community and those bold enough to share their passion and talents with the audience. We wish Rebel Music Theatre the best of luck and many years of success.

To purchase tickets for their upcoming performances visit:

https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/0fb862e4-0d2b-4b10-98a2-37b4cb08fc6d