'Fame' can be found at Lincoln

In theatre, as in life, enthusiasm counts for a lot. A lot of enthusiasm is on the stage and in the music pit as META presents “Fame: The Musical” at the Lincoln. It opened last week and runs through March 7.

The truth of being a teenager: one is a pinball careening between ego, fear and lust. But there is also opportunity, the hope of finding yourself and developing maturity through hard work and hard knocks. For the 97 talented new students, chosen from a pool of 4,000, chosen for New York City’s illustrious High School for the Performing Arts in 1980, challenges and adventures await.

As does “Hard Work,” the big opening number for the entire cast, assembled in the main hallway of LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. But soon, the lead characters introduce themselves.

Nick (Mason Beaver) shares his hope, singing “I Want to Make Magic.” A child TV commercial actor, he is committed to the hard work of learning the skills that will polish his talents.

But is he gay? Serena (Olivia Greso) fell for him the first day they met, but while she is sure of her crush, she doubts her own abilities. She had a sweet, earnest energy on the stage and more mundane ambitions. Her early solo is “Let’s Play a Love Scene.”

On the ambition front, Carmen (Sierra Mierzeski) is in first place. She is out in front of the ensemble when they sing “There She Goes/Fame!”

Her ambitions are bigger than mere graduation.

Meanwhile, Shlomo (Rob Neeleman) struggles with having a famous musician father, from whom he inherited his musical talent. Carmen comes to him with lyrics and it becomes a song for his band – with her as the lead singer. They have the duet “Bring on Tomorrow.”

Not everyone finds romance. Jose’s (Alfonso Landeros) natural confidence spills into cockiness. He doesn’t get Carmen or any girl. He does provide comic relief. He fills the stage himself with his dance number “Can’t Keep It Down.”

And Tyler (Bryce Ronhaar) is a better choreographer then dancer, but he puts on a show with his English classmates. “Dancin’ on the Sidewalk” a lyrical jazz dance, is one of the best numbers of the evening.

The best vocal talent is Bailey Wend, the severe English teacher Miss Sherman, wanting her students to learn fundamentals they can depend on after they reach the limits of their talents. Her solo “These Are My Children” is haunting and heartfelt. “These are my children / My saving grace / I see my calling / in every face” she sings in her empty classroom.

The large ensemble, 14, are back-up and in-front throughout, on stage in scene after scene, singing and dancing in support and accompaniment of the lead characters.

Cheer on the four teachers (Wend, Nona Hanson, Rob Hanson and Bridgette Purdy) guiding their charges on to graduation

This is solid high school community theatre. It doesn’t have the sparkle or pop of other META productions. That might be because the cast is not as experienced and because the script is not as strong.

Last week the band seemed a bit loud and singing over the music didn’t help the quality of the songs.

Key to community theatre is the support of the community. Go to support these developing thespians and continue to applaud their progress in future productions.

Parents, make it a family night out, bringing the kids so they can see likenesses of themselves, whatever their talents. Warning: sexual references occur.

“Fame” is directed and choreographed by Rebecca Launius. Dylan Cisneros is the musical director. Adriana Crammett was responsible for capturing the clothes styles of the 1980s. Susie Polino and Mathew Wend are producers.

The original show was conceived and developed by David De Silvahad with book by José Fernandez, music by Steve Margoshes and lyrics by Jacques Levy.

“Fame” plays through March 7. For schedule and tickets: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=110554/.