From left: James Arden as Ludwig Wittgenstein's gay alter ego, Daniel Gurian as Ludwig Wittgenstein and Morgan Scott as Gretl in the Castillo Theatre production of Outing Wittgenstein.

The 2006-2007 Castillo Theatre began its fall season on October 20, with audiences streaming in to see the philosophical farce, Outing Wittgenstein, by Fred Newman.

Three weeks later, on November 10, audiences began flooding to the lower level theatre at the All Stars center on 42nd Street to catch Over There/Over Here, the smash Youth Onstage! original drama by Michael Reyes.

And, not to be outdone, 1,000 people attended the December 9 All Stars Talent Show at John Adams High School in Ozone Park, Queens.

Christlabelsay Elian and Johanny Paulino in the Youth Onstage! production of Over There/Over Here.

Over There/Over Here, a drama about the Iraq War and its impact on the life of a young soldier from Brooklyn, garnered a good deal of media attention. In a thoughtful article on the production, American Theatre, the country's leading professional performing arts magazine, noted "it's rare for [plays about Iraq] to be written from the perspective of teens from working class neighborhoods." In an unqualified rave, the New York Times said the play was "poignant... impressive...[and] a moving portrait of a young man who traded one bullet-ridden hell for another." As a result of the popular response to the play, there will be three additional performances in January — Saturday Jan. 13 at 7:00pm, Sunday Jan. 14 at 2:30pm and Friday Jan. 26 at 7:00pm.

Youth Onstage! productions currently scheduled for 2007 include: America (A Conversation), which opens in February; Homeland Security: Bringing Dr. King Up To Date, a new theatrical work to be choreographed and directed by the renowned dancer/choreographer, Desmond Richardson. Homeland Security will open March 9 and feature 15 young All Stars and Youth Onstage! performers.

The Castillo Theatre will present Backstage: A Love-Hate Story of the Women’s Movement, a new drama by Fred Newman, set to open in April. It will feature Castillo ensemble members Madelyn Chapman as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Gabrielle L. Kurlander as Susan B. Anthony. Melvin Shambry, last seen in the Castillo Theatre production of Sally and Tom (The American Way), will appear as Frederick Douglass.

For more information on the Castillo Theatre, Youth Onstage!, or the All Stars Talent Show Network, please visit the All Stars website. See you at the theatre!